Random question for all Show Boat lovers out there: In the original production (1927), Norma Terris played both Magnolia Hawks and her daughter, Kim. I really can't figure out how it worked. Aren't Magnolia and Kim together on stage (along Ravenaw) for the last scene(s) of the musical?
Also, wouldn't it be wonderful to get a revival back on Broadway? It's been been over 20 years since the last one.
Kim as an adult only appears in the final scene, where she does her Charleston. She goes offstage and the actress quick-changes back into older Magnolia. In the final moment, when Ravenal is reunited with his daughter, it's an ensemble actress wearing Kim's costume- her face is turned to the back of the stage.
SHOW BOAT is one of my all-time favorites and Magnolia is a dream role, but the show is done so infrequently that I'll probably never get to play her...
Ado Annie D'Ysquith said: "SHOW BOAT is one of my all-time favorites and Magnolia is a dream role, but the show is done so infrequently that I'll probably never get to play her..."
I still think the Prince revival is the best version of the show.
I'd love to see a revival that restores the Dahomey scene. It comes near the end of Act1 at the Chicago fair scene. Blacks portray Africans in native dress and dance/sing to a song Down Dahomey Way. Racist perhaps but historical and could be exciting.
joined:7/3/18
joined:
7/3/18
Posted: 2/24/19 at 4:32pm