Grunion Gazette by Anne Marie
Oley
As my friend and I waited for the lights to go down on the premiere of Musical
Theatre WestÕs "Show Boat" at the Carpenter Center, we whispered about her
short, upcoming trip to New York. With just 48 hours in the city, she wondered
if she should make time for a Broadway musical. After seeing this show, she
can cross that off her list. MTW has crowned a full season with a stunning
success. "Show Boat" is considered the great American musical of the 20th
Century, the one that started it all in 1927, with Jerome KernÕs music and
Oscar Hammerstein IIÕs lyrics and book. This was the first full-fledged story
musical, with a plot and characters instead of a series of disconnected skits.
I saw the most recent Broadway revival, and this one made just as strong an
impression. It starts in 1890, on a wedding-cake-like showboat, the Cotton
Blossom, that travels the Mississippi, anchoring to put on plays. CaptÕn Andy
is the friendly owner, and Magnolia his sweet daughter. Her best friend is
Julie, an older actress who has to leave the boat with her white husband once
a nasty sheriff reveals that sheÕs half black, half white (inter-racial marriage
was illegal then). Magnolia falls for a shifty gambler named Gaylord Ravenal
(bad marriage choices were not illegal then, nor now), marries him and leaves
for Chicago. Gaylord deserts her and Magnolia fends for herself as a singer.
Kern and Hammerstein created memorable songs that are American standards Ñ
"CanÕt Help LovinÕ Dat Man," "Make Believe," "Bill." The singers must be especially
good to compete with all the versions weÕve heard before. Sean McDermott as
Gaylord conquers the almost-operatic range of his numbers. Dan Tullis Jr.Õs
Joe stops the show with his "OlÕ Man River." Just when you think his voice
canÕt go any lower in this classic song, he pulls it off, and with plenty
of emotion, not just satisfaction at reaching the finish line of a singing
marathon. Dale Kristien hits her high notes as Magnolia, and Anne Runolfsson
is poignant when Julie becomes a washed-up, slatternly torch singer. Chad
Borden amuses in the comic-relief role as talentless actor Schultz. While
the songs and stars triumph, ironically, the few hiccups in this evening come
mainly from the legendary creators. There are several holes in the plot once
Magnolia arrives in Chicago: What happened to proud Julie, who is a star in
the first act but a mere cameo player in the second? Her loyal husband has
disappeared with no explanation. What explains Magnolia standing in a nightclub
wistfully wondering "WhereÕs my old friend Julie?" when the lady in question
is about 10 feet away, in her dressing room? No one bothers to tell poor Magnolia.
And in a blink, itÕs 1927, the women are wearing short hair and short skirts,
and "OlÕ Man River" plays again. Still, with songs like that, this show will
always roll along. Playing through July 28 at the Carpenter Performing Arts
Center. Call 430-2324 to order tickets.
