BWW Reviews: SHOW BOAT at the Muny

When I started writing this review I had Turner Classics on, and it just so happened they were playing Show Boat. Funny how that works sometimes, when you've just seen a splendid live performance of a show the night before, and the next evening you stumble across Hollywood's take on the material. Seeing it live is always better, I think, and Show Boat has a definite history with the Muny, a fact clearly reflected by the numerous stagings it's had since its initial appearance in 1930. But, that's to be expected, since this is the perfect venue for Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II's memorable adaptation of Edna Ferber's sprawling novel. And as such, it provides us with a particularly grand finale for the Muny's 2010 season.

The basic story revolves around the characters who make their living aboard the riverboat known as the "Cotton Blossom", as it travels up and down the Mississippi, providing entertainment in the various ports they encounter. But when Julie, the lead actress of the resident theatre troupe, spurns the advances of the ship's engineer, his retaliation is to spill the beans about her mixed-race origins. She leaves immediately with her husband Steve, and that opens up a slot for Cap'n Andy Hawkins' daughter Magnolia. An "ex"riverboat gambler named Gaylord Ravenal, who's become smitten with the young lass, fills in for the leading man. We follow their progress against the backdrop of history over the course of forty years, beginning in 1887 and ending in 1927.

Gary Beach and familiar Muny favorite Georgia Engel do sharp work as Cap'n Andy and his wife Parthy, respectively. Leah Horowitz makes for a very appealing Magnolia, and displays a powerful voice as well, while Danny Gurwin neatly underplays as her love interest, Ravenal. Terry Burrell's outstanding vocals are put to fine use as Julie, and she winds up with two of the most memorable numbers in the show with "Bill" and "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man". But, it's the exceptional performance and stirring talent of Michel Bell as a boat worker named Joe that stands front and center, and his dramatic rendition of "Old Man River" stops the show, and instantly focuses our attention on issues of racial injustice that thread through the book and lyrics.

Solid support is provided by Jo Ann Hawkins White, James Anthony, Anthony Cummings, Shannon O'Bryan, John Contini, Michele Burdette Elmore, Michael Horsley, Rich Pisarkiewicz and Zoe Vonder Haar.

Director Harold Goldfaden does a splendid job of injecting fresh life into this venerable favorite, and he's aided in his efforts by Peggy Taphorn's choreography, which keeps this huge stage filled with colorful and lively figures throughout. Catherine Matejka's music direction is also top notch, and it's good to see the full orchestra filling the pit and making wonderful music again. Michael Anania's nifty set design makes full use of the turntable on the Muny's stage, allowing for some really smooth transitions, and it's all very well lit by F. Mitchell Dana's lighting scheme.

The Muny's engaging and compelling production of Show Boat continues through August 15, 2010 in Forest Park.