Signature Theatre Reinvented Version Of SHOWBOAT Begins 11/10

The Signature Theatre, nationally renowned for its innovation in musical theater, will reinvent the 1927 classic American musical, Show Boat, in a brand new production playing November 10, 2009 through January 17, 2010. Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer is creating an intimate new staging in the 276-seat MAX Theatre complete with a revised script and new orchestrations. Songs such as Ol' Man River, Can't Help Lovin ‘Dat Man, Make Believe, and Bill, by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II, will capture the imagination of another generation of theater-goers in this lyrical masterpiece about the lives, loves, and heartbreaks of three generations of show folk on the Mississippi. Spanning the years 1880 to 1927, Show Boat is a sweeping tale of enduring love and devastating hatred, illuminating through unforgettable music the cruelty of prejudice-and the beauty of romance.

Eric Schaeffer stated, "The first great American musical is probably the last musical anyone would think Signature would explore in our 20th anniversary season, but there is no better tribute than presenting a new production of Show Boat as our 100th production. Signature is known for reinventing some of the greatest musicals of all time from Les Miz to Allegro and this important musical deserves to be rediscovered. This production, featuring new orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick, promises to be a wonderful re-imagining of this great classic as only Signature can do."

Schaeffer continued, "The themes in Show Boat are still alive today and the theatre is one place where they can be boldly examined. Show Boat is not about a boat-but about the sense of change in America among the social classes and, more than that, how race influences our lives and music. The wonderful thing is that the river keeps flowing and the show is about change and growing through good and bad, which is more relevant than ever today. The production will be a new beginning for audiences in discovering the great world of Show Boat and, though it may be the granddaddy of musical theatre, it will feel like it was written yesterday."

With the approval of The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization, Signature is creating a new performing version, keeping what is best in three performing editions: the original 1927 version, the 1946 revival, and the 2005 Berlin Opera version. The company is restoring the song Mis'ry's Comin' Round which was cut after the very first performance.

The cast of 25 is led by Helen Hayes Award winner Will Gartshore as the dashing riverboat gambler Gaylord Ravenal and Stephanie Waters as the actress and singer Magnolia, daughter of the show boat owner Cap'n Andy (Harry Winter) and his wife Parthy (Kimberly Schraf). Broadway's Terry Burrell plays a role she's sung on both sides of the Atlantic, the tragic chanteuse Julie, the daughter of a white man and black woman. Jim Newman plays her husband, Frank. Singing Ol' Man River will be Duke Ellington High School graduate, Washingtonian VaShawn McIlwain, in the role of Joe and his wife Queenie is played by Delores King Williams. Bobby Smith and Sandy Bainum play the roles of the actors Frank and Ellie. The role of Young Kim, Ravenal and Magnolia's daughter, will be played by Rachel Boyd and Anna Nowalk at alternating performances. Members of the ensemble are Mardee Bennett, Yolanda Denise Bryant, Matt Conner, Susan Derry, Helen Hedman, Sam Ludwig, Sean Maurice Lynch, Kevin McAllister, Aaron Reeder, J. Fred Shiffman, Chris Sizemore, Tiffany Wharton, and Hannah Willman.

The Show Boat creative team includes director Eric Schaeffer, choreographer Karma Camp, set designer James Kronzer, costume designer Kathleen Geldard, lighting designer Mark Lanks, sound designer Matt Rowe, and music director Jon Kalbfleisch, with orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick.

For tickets, call Ticketmaster (703) 573-SEAT (7328) or visit http://www.signature-theatre.org