Overview
Synopsis
Spanning from the 1880s to the 1920s, Show Boat is an American epic that tells the story of three generations of performers travelling from the Mississippi River to Chicago, and ultimately, Broadway. Join Cap’n Andy and the family of performers on board the Cotton Blossom show boat as they navigate love, heartbreak, ambition, racism, and integration. With beloved songs like “Ol’ Man River” and “Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man”, Show Boat is an American classic that is sure to captivate the hearts of audiences of any age.
This guide reflects the Harold Prince 1994 version of Show Boat. Both the original script and the Harold Prince revised script are available for licensing through Concord Theatricals.
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Context
Based on Edna Ferber’s 1926 romantic novel about life on the Mississippi, Show Boat is considered to be the first great American musical. It was one of the first musicals to deviate from the typical “fluff” comedy of its time and tackle serious topics such as racism, alcoholism, and integration. By combining serious topics with grand spectacle, Show Boat forever changed the landscape of American musical theatre. Show Boat focused on plot and character development, rather than catchy
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Act One
A group of African-American Stevedores, or dock workers, move bales of cotton across the levee as their gals are hard at work sewing and gossiping (“Cotton Blossom”). As they see the show boat on the river, they know Cap’n Andy and the rest of the Cotton Blossom performers are here to put on a show! The show on the Cotton Blossom stars handsome leading man Steve Baker and the beautiful actress Julie LaVerne. Members of the ship land on shore to restock the ship and gather a crowd
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Character Portrayals
See StageAgent members who have performed roles in Show Boat.
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Songs
ACT ONE
- Cotton Blossom - Stevedores, Gals, and Townspeople
- Cap’n Andy’s Ballyhoo - Cap’n Andy, Parthy, the Show Boat Troupe, Stevedores, Gals and Townspeople
- Where’s the Mate for Me? - Ravenal
- Make Believe - Ravenal and Magnolia
- Ol’ Man River - Joe and Stevedores
- * Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man - Julie, Queenie, Joe, Magnolia, Stevedores and Gals
- Till Good Luck Comes My Way - Ravenal, Pete, Frank and Townsmen
- Mis’ry’s Comin’ Aroun’ - Queenie, Stevedores and Gals
- I Have the Room Above Her - Ravenal and Magnolia
- Life Upon the Wicked Stage - Ellie and Townswomen
- * Queenie’s Ballyhoo - Queenie, Stevedores and Gals
- You Are Love - Ravenal and Magnolia
- Act 1 Finale - The Wedding Celebration - Company
ACT TWO
- Why Do I Love You - Ravenal, Magnolia and Ensemble
- Dandies on Parade - City Folk
- Alma Redemptoris Mater/Ol’ Man River (Reprise) - Nun’s Choir, Joe
- Make Believe (Reprise) - Ravenal
- Bill - Julie
- Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man ( Reprise) - Magnolia
- * Good-bye, My Lady Love - Frank and Ellie
- After the Ball - Magnolia, Andy and Ensemble
- Ol’ Man River (Reprise) - Joe
- Dance Away the Night - Magnolia
- You Are Love (Reprise) - Ravenal
- * Why Do I Love You (Reprise)/Kim’s Charleston - Kim, Parthy and Ensemble
- Act 2 Finale - Joe and Company
A few songs were written or collaborated on by composers and lyricists other than Oscar Hammerstein II and Jerome Kern. “Bill” has lyrics by P.G. Wodehouse, revised by Oscar Hammerstein II; “Good-bye, My Lady Love” is by Joseph E. Howard; and “After the Ball” is by Charles K. Harris.
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
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Guide Written By:
Emma Houlahan
Canadian vocalist and actor now based in London.