LA Times by Kathleen Foley
'Show Boat' Takes a Fascinating Look Back In presenting an unedited version
of Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II's musical, Musical Theatre West gives
the audience a grand view into a bygone era. When Hal Prince directed his
Tony Award-winning revival of "Show Boat" in 1995, he boasted that he had
restored much of the material that had been trimmed from the show over the
years. Now, Musical Theatre West goes Prince one better. In honor of the show's
75th anniversary, MTW is presenting an uncut version as first performed in
1927. The resulting production, now running at the Carpenter Performing Arts
Center in Long Beach, is a fascinating sociological document, a window into
a bygone era. Thanks to director David Galligan's streamlined pacing, this
unedited version of Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II's musical, while
a mite creaky at times, is never doddering. Often hailed as the first modern
musical, "Show Boat" remains a grand old lady of the theater. A few wrinkles
may show behind the greasepaint, but she's spry. Paul Garman, executive director
of MTW, is careful to issue a pre-show disclaimer of sorts, apologizing in
advance for any ruffled feelings that might result from the African American
stereotypes that are part and parcel of the story. That's a legitimate concern.
"Ah Still Suits Me," a second-act number in which Queenie (Brenda Silas Moore)
rails at her "shiftless" husband Joe (Dan Tullis Jr.), is wince-worthy, despite
the best efforts of Moore and Tullis to sell the song. Joe, who sings "Ol'
Man River," is a towering American figure, sadly diminished by this "comic"
turn. Still, one has to respect the producers' intentions to present this
as-is rendition, a bit of unvarnished Americana, time-warped though it may
be. Despite his awkward character arc, the gifted Tullis remains one of the
strongest performers in the show. Also winning is Billy Beadle, who plays
Captain Andy not as buffoon, but as a dry and gentle humanist. Choreographer
Lee Martino's ethnic dance sequences, executed with bounding energy by the
African American members of the ensemble, are high points. Dale Kristien and
Sean McDermott, as sweet young thing Magnolia Hawkes and rakehell gambler
Gaylord Ravenal respectively, display awesome vocal range in such duets as
"Make Believe" and "You Are Love." Despite her troweled-on Southern accent,
Anne Runolfsson, who plays the ill-fated Julie, delivers a smoothly authoritative
"Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man." Musical director Stephen Gothold assures a rapturous
conjunction of voices in this well-rendered and worthy effort, a rare opportunity
to see an American classic in its original form. "Show Boat," Carpenter Performing
Arts Center, 6200 Atherton St., Long Beach. Thursday-Saturday, July 25, 26
and 27, 8 p.m.; Saturday, Sunday, July 27 and 28, 2 p.m. July 21, 7 p.m. Ends
July 28. $20-$45. (562) 430-2324. Running time: 2 hours, 55 minutes. Magnolia
Hawkes Ravenal: Dale Kristien Gaylord Ravenal: Sean McDermott Julie LaVerne:
Anne Runolfsson Captain Andy Hawkes: Billy Beadle Parthy Ann Hawkes: Sandy
Yates Hall Ellie Mae Chipley: Melanie Nicholson Frank Schultz: Chad Borden
Joe: Dan Tullis Jr. Queenie: Brenda Silas Moore Music by Jerome Kern. Book
and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. Based on the novel by Edna Ferber. Directed
by David Galligan. Choreographed by Lee Martino. Musical director Stephen
Gothold. Costumer Thomas G. Marquez. Lighting design by Michael Gilliam. Sound
design by Julie Ferin
