Photo Flash: Get A First Look At MTH Theater's SHOW BOAT

BWW has a first look at MTH Theater's production of Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II's landmark collaboration SHOW BOAT. The production is Directed by Jeff Church and features a 15 person ensemble led by Seth Jones and Elise Poehling in the roles of Gaylord Ravenal and Magnolia Hawks, respectively.

The remainder of the ensemble includes Abigail Becker, Elise Bowles, Andy Garrison, Enjoli Gavin, Ryan Hruza, Robert McNichols Jr., Nancy Nail, Phillip Russell Newman, Madelyn Padgett, Michael Scahill, Mackenzie Sims, Gianna Sorce, and Morgan Walker.

The eight piece orchestra will be directed and conducted by veteran Kansas City jazz musician Gary Adams. The design team features choreography by Marc Wayne, lighting design by Art Kent, sound design by John Hileman, and costume design by Joanna Windler.

The production also launches MTH's Heritage Series, where at least once a year MTH has committed to produce a classic that has contributed to the historical landscape of the American musical theater.

MTH Founder George Harter said, "SHOW BOAT is one of the most influential musicals in history and redefined how musical stories were told. It doesn't get produced very often anymore because the scope of the musical is so enormous; however, it's a rich musical that deserves to be heard; we're excited about our upcoming production."

Based on Edna Ferber's best-selling novel, SHOW BOAT follows the lives of the performers, stagehands and dock workers on the Cotton Blossom, a Mississippi River show boat, over 40 years from 1887 to 1927. The musical contributed such classic songs as "Ol' Man River", "Make Believe", and "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man".

SHOW BOAT plays The MTH Theater at Crown Center November 1-18.Tickets are available by calling the MTH Box Office at 816.221.6987 or by visiting www.mthkc.com.