Show Boat
Gershwin Theatre
Previews Began: September 22, 1994
Opening Night: October 2, 1994
Closing Night: January 5, 1997
Music: Jerome Kern
Lyrics: Oscar Hammerstein II
Book: Oscar Hammerstein II
Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II’s groundbreaking musical version of Edna Ferber’s novel examines the lives of Cap’n Andy and his troupe of traveling show boat performers, including his naïve daughter Magnolia, her gambling husband Gaylord Ravenal, the tragic mixed-race actress Julie, and black stevedore Joe, who marvels at the constancy of the “Ol’ Man River” they travel on.
Musical Numbers
Act One
Cotton Blossom…………………………………..Ensemble
Cap’n Andy’s Ballyhoo……………………..Cap’n Andy,
Parthy Ann Hawks,
the Showboat Troupe,
Stevedores, Gals
Townspeople
Where’s the Mate for Me?…………Gaylord Ravena
Make Believe…………….Gaylord Ravenal, Magnolia
Ol’ Man River……………………………………..Joe, Steve
Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man…………..Julie, Queenie,
Magnolia, Joe,
Quartet
Till Good Luck Comes My Way…Gaylord Ravenal,
Pete, Frank,
Townsmen
Mis’ry’s Comin’ Aroun………..Queenie, Stevedores,
Gals
I Have the Room Above Her………Gaylord Ravenal,
Magnolia
Life Upon the Wicked Stage….Ellie, Townswomen
Queenie’s Ballyhoo……………Queenie, Cap’n Andy,
Ensemble
You Are Love……………Magnolia, Gaylord Ravenal
The Wedding Celebration……………………Company
Act Two
Why Do I Love You?….Magnolia, Gaylord Ravenal,
Ensemble
Dandies on Parade……………………………….City Folk
Alma Redemptoris Mater…………………………..Choir
Ol’ Man River (Reprise)…………………………………Joe
Bill…………………………………………………………….Julie
Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man (Reprise)……Magnolia
Goodbye, My Lady Love……………………Frank, Ellie
After the Ball……………………………………….Magnolia
Dance Away the Night…………………………Magnolia
Kim’s Charleston………………….Parthy Ann Hawks,
Kim, Company
Act Two Finale…………………………………….Company