Goodspeed Musicals' SHOWBOAT to Play at Opera House, 7/1 - 11/11

Goodspeed Musicals, the first two-time Tony Award winning theatre in the country, will breathe new life into the indelible American classic Show Boat. This heart-wrenching musical from the director who brought you Goodspeed's Camelot and 1776 will run from July 1 - September 11 at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Conn. This production will be sponsored by Webster Bank, Essex Meadows, and Comcast. [Official Press Opening will be July 27, 2011]

Come aboard for an epic American musical! A sweeping tale spanning four decades, Show Boat is a journey into the lives, loves, and heartbreaks of three generations of show folk on the mighty Mississippi River. Jerome Kern's masterpiece is a treasure trove of unforgettable music including "Ol' Man River," "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man," and "You Are Love." Don't miss this timeless triumph of the Broadway stage!

Show Boat features Music by Jerome Kern and Book and Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. Based on the novel "Show Boat" by Edna Ferber. Magnolia will be played by Sarah Uriarte Berry, of Broadway's The Light in the Piazza, Taboo, Beauty and the Beast, and Les Misérables. Ravenal will be played by Ben Davis whose Broadway credits include the recent revival of A Little Night Music, Les Misérables, La Bohème, and Thoroughly Modern Millie.  Queenie will be played by Andrea Frierson who appeared in Broadway's Marie Christine, The Lion King, Juan Darien, Once on This Island, For Colored Girls..., and The Me Nobody Knows. The role of Parthy will be played by Karen Murphy of Broadway's A Little Night Music, 9 to 5, All Shook Up, 42nd Street, King David, and Titanic, and Goodspeed's Annie 2. Star of stage and screen Lenny Wolpe will play Cap'n Andy. Wolpe's numerous Broadway credits include The Drowsy Chaperone, Wicked, and The Sound of Music. Goodspeed audiences will remember him from The Baker's Wife and A Long Way To Boston at The Norma Terris Theatre, and Little Johnny Jones and She Loves Me at the Opera House.
Frank will be played by Danny Gardner of Goodspeed's Half a Sixpence, High Button Shoes, and Singin' In The Rain. Ellie will be played by Jennifer Knox. Quentin Earl Darrington of Goodspeed's Abyssinia will play Joe. Julie will be played by Lesli Margherita. Kim will be played by Maddie Berry.

The ensemble will include Paule Aboite, Elizabeth Berg (Hello! My Baby from Goodspeed's 2011 Festival of New Artists), Elise Kinnon (Goodspeed's 42nd Street, Half a Sixpence, and Happy Days), Denise Lute (Broadway's Monday After the Miracle), A'Lisa Miles (Goodspeed's Big River), and Mollie Vogt-Welch (Broadway's A Tale of Two Cities and Goodspeed's Camelot).  Also joining the ensemble is Kyle E. Baird, Robert Hannon Davis, Robert Lance Mooney (Room 16 from Goodspeed's 2011 Festival of New Artists), Rob Richardson (Broadway's A Tale of Two Cities), Greg Roderick (Broadway's South Pacific, and Goodspeed's 1776, Brigadoon, A Little Night Music, and King of Hearts), Jet Thompson, David Toombs, Richard Waits, and Nicholas Ward. The swings will be Adam Fenton Goddu (Room 16 from Goodspeed's 2011 Festival of New Artists) and Christiana Rodi (Nobody Loves You from Goodspeed's 2011 Festival of New Artists).

Show Boat will be directed by Goodspeed favorite Rob Ruggiero who returns to the Opera House where he previously directed Irving Berlin's Annie Get Your Gun, Camelot, Big River, and 1776. Mr. Ruggiero's also directed Broadway's High and Looped. Choreographer for this production will be Noah Racey who choreographed Goodspeed's Irving Berlin's Annie Get Your Gun and starred in Where's Charley?. Mr. Racey also performed in Broadway's Curtains, Never Gonna Dance, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and Follies.

Michael Schweikardt will be the Scenic Designer. His designs have been seen in Goodspeed's Irving Berlin's Annie Get Your Gun, Camelot, Big River, and 1776. Costumes will be designed by Amy Clark who was the Associate Costume Designer for Broadway's Sister Act, Come Fly Away, Fela!, and All My Sons. Lighting design will be by John Lasiter who served as Lighting Designer for Goodspeed's Irving Berlin's Annie Get Your Gun, Camelot, Big River, and 1776 and Broadway's High. Sound design will be by Jay Hilton who is in his 26th season at Goodspeed.

The Music Director for Show Boat is Michael O'Flaherty who is in his 20th season as Goodspeed's Resident Music Director. F. Wade Russo is assistant music director. Orchestrations will be provided by Dan DeLange, who provided the orchestrations for Goodspeed's My One And Only, How To Succeed..., Carnival!, Irving Berlin's Annie Get Your Gun, 42nd Street, Half a Sixpence, High Button Shoes, Singin' in the Rain, and The Boy Friend. Show Boat is produced for Goodspeed Musicals by Michael P. Price.

Show Boat will run July 1 through September 11, 2011 [Official Press Opening July 27, 2011]. Curtain times are Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Thursday at 7:30 p.m. (with select performances at 2:00 p.m.), Friday at 8:00 p.m., Saturday at 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. (with select performances at 6:30 p.m.).

Tickets are available through the Box Office (860.873.8668), open seven days a week, or on-line at www.goodspeed.org. For show highlights, exclusive photos, special events and more visit us at goodspeed.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

ABOUT Goodspeed Musicals

Dedicated to the preservation and advancement of musical theatre, Goodspeed Musicals produces three musicals each season at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Conn., and additional productions at The Norma Terris Theatre in Chester, Conn., which was opened in 1984 for the development of new musicals. The first regional theatre to receive two Tony Awards (for outstanding achievement), Goodspeed also maintains The Scherer Library of Musical Theatre and The Max Showalter Center for Education in Musical Theatre. Goodspeed gratefully acknowledges the support of associate sponsor Webster Bank; supporting sponsor Essex Meadows; corporate partner Comcast; Sennheiser, the official audio sponsor; Continental, the official airline; and Hoffman Audi, the official auto sponsor of Goodspeed Musicals. Goodspeed is supported in part by the Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism, which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Special Events: 

Girls' Night Out: Friday, July 1, 7:00 pm. Celebrate Opening Night in style! Gather the girls for glitz and glamour Broadway-style with our Ticket ‘n' ‘Tini special. Package includes one ticket to the 8 pm performance and a specialty martini. A hot deal at $44 per person.

Wine Tasting: Sunday, July 3, 5:00 pm. Treat yourself to a sampling of fine wines, compliments of Shore Discount Liquors of Deep River, and complimentary hors d'oeuvres provided by the Gelston House of East Haddam. Only $12 with your ticket to the 6:30 pm performance. Reserve in advance through the Box Office.

Goodspeed Dining Cruise/Theatre Package: Enjoy summer on the Connecticut River. Includes a leisurely cruise and sumptuous buffet aboard the Lady Katharine and ticket to the show. Friday 7/1, 5:30 pm cruise, 8:00 pm show; Sunday 7/10, 4:00 pm cruise, 6:30 pm show; $99/person. Thursday 8/25, 11:30 am cruise, 2 pm show; $82/person.

Teen Nights: July 6 & 7, 7:30 pm; July 8, 8 pm. Introduce your favorite young person to the magic of musical theatre. Each adult who buys a regular-priced ticket on the specified dates may purchase a $15 ticket for a teen age 10 to 18. Meet the cast after the July 8 performance for autographs.

Meet the Cast: Take part in a lively discussion with the cast after the Thursday evening performances on July 28 and August 11 & 25. Meet the Cast events are free with a ticket to that evening's performance.

Friday Dinner Theatre Package: Includes dinner at the Gelston House (located next door to the Opera House) and a ticket to the 8:00 pm performance. Only $69!