WBT to Present SHOW BOAT

Show Boat, the first great serious Broadway musical, combined the talents of Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II. The story, which spans almost fifty years, follows the lives, loves, and losses of a troupe of riverboat performers aboard the Cotton Blossom floating theater on the mighty Mississippi. Its timeless score contains some of the most beautiful and emotionally charged songs ever written for a musical, including "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man" and "Make Believe." "Ol' Man River", is the show's most memorable anthem about how the mighty Mississippi River, that unstoppable force of nature, is completely indifferent to human suffering.

Show Boat departed from typical musical comedy material, based on a best-selling novel by Edna Ferber, it's a melodrama with musical numbers that actually reveal character and further the plot.

The musical illuminates the racial and social changes that were shaping the country in 1890-1927. It features a multiracial cast and a plot that deals, among other things, with the plight of an interracial couple for whom it's illegal to perform together in certain Southern states.

The show opened on Broadway at the Ziegfeld Theatre on December 27, 1927. The critics were immediately enthusiastic, and the show was a great success, running a year and a half, for a total of 572 performances. It has been revived numerous times--most successfully by Hal Prince in 1994. Two Film versions were produced by MGM including the 1936 film with a Screenplay by Oscar Hammerstein II Starring Irene Dunne and the 1951 Technicolor film version with Ava Gardner and Howard Keel

We are thrilled to bring this classic hit musical to the WBT stage! Richard Stafford, a WBT favorite, will Direct and Choreograph the show. The Musical Director is Ryan Wise.

Our production stars Sarah Hanlon as Julie Laverne, Lee Harrington as Magnolia Hawks, John Preator as Gaylord Ravenal, Jamie Ross as Cap'n Andy, Karen Murphy as Parthy Hawks, Amanda Pulcini as Ellie May Shipley, Michael James Leslie as Joe, Daniel Scott Walton as Frank Schultz, and Inga Ballard as Queenie.

Featuring the talents of; Malcom Armwood, Eric Briarley, Erin Chupinsky, Micharel Dauer, Jonathan Freeland, Alia Hodge, Justin R.G. Holcomb, Celeste Hudson, Paul-Jordan Jansen, Leisa Mather, Zoie Morris, Gabriella Perez, Kristyn Pope, Adam Richardson, Roger Preston Smith and Karen Webb.

Set and Costume Design is by Michael Bottari and Ronald Case, Lighting Design is by Andrew Gmoser, Sound Design is by Jonathan Hatton and Mark Zuckerman, Hair/wig design by Gerard Kelly. Steve Loftus is the Technical Director, The Production Stage Manager is Victor Lukas, Properties are by Grumpy Props. Lisa Tiso is the Associate Producer.

Richard Stafford (Director/Choreographer) Returning to WBT, having directed and choreographed Mary Poppins, The Wizard Of Oz, Guys & Dolls, Fiddler On The Roof, Can-Can, George M!, Hairspray, Singin' In The Rain, A Wonderful Life, Beauty And The Beast, Gypsy, The Full Monty and Cats in past seasons. On Broadway, Mr. Stafford was the choreographer for In My Life (Music Box Theatre), the associate choreographer for Aspects Of Love (Broadhurst Theatre), and dance supervisor for Cats (Winter Garden Theatre). Off-Broadway credits include choreography for A Tree Grows In Brooklyn (St. Clements). Internationally he was director/choreographer for The Full Monty, Joseph...Dreamcoat (Mexico City), choreographer for Jesus Christ Superstar (Mexico City), Evita (Sydney), Cats (Mexico City, Buenos Aires) and director/choreographer for Cats (Copenhagen, Sao Paulo, Rio). National Tours include Cats (director/ choreographer), My Fair Lady (choreographer), Joseph...Dreamcoat (choreographer) and numerous Regional Theatre Productions.

Reservations: Call (914)-592-2222. Also at: www.BroadwayTheatre.com

Group Reservations: Discounts for Groups of 20 or More: Call 592-2225.

Luxury Boxes: Call 592-8730, for private parties of 6 to 22. Enjoy dining and theatre in an elegant private box. Additional features include an expanded dinner menu, hot and cold hors d'oeuvres, private powder room, and Luxury Box reserved parking. Additional cost, call for details.

Ticket Prices Dinner & Show range between $56.00 and $84.00 PLUS TAX depending on the performances chosen. Beverage Service & Gratuities are not included in the ticket price. Discounts are available for children, students, and senior citizens at selected performances. Also check the website for on-going Special Offers! More news at: www.BroadwayTheatre.com

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