Bucks County Playhouse will present a world-premiere concert adaptation of Oscar Hammerstein II and Jerome Kern’s classic musical Show Boat June 23 at 7 PM as part of the Playhouse's fourth Oscar Hammerstein Festival.
Two-time Tony nominee Laura Osnes will head the cast as Magnolia alongside James Snyder as Gaylord Ravenal, with Emmy winner Jessica Walter as Parthy, Clyde Alves as Frank, Natasha Yvette Williams as Queenie, Stephanie Gibson as Ellie, and Tony winner Michael McGrath as Captain Andy. Michel Bell will reprise his Tony-nominated role of Joe from the 1994 Broadway revival.
Additional casting will be announced shortly.
The one-night-only event features an all-new adaptation by Rob Ruggiero, narration by Ted Chapin (president and Chief Creative Officer of the Rodgers and Hammerstein Organization), direction by Josh Rhodes, and music direction by Andy Einhorn.
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The groundbreaking musical follows the lives of three generations born on the Cotton Blossom as it sails the Mississippi River from the 1880s to the 1920s.
“I first fell in love with Show Boat when I saw the remarkable 1936 film with Irene Dunne, Paul Robeson and Helen Morgan. We are thrilled to present our first Hammerstein musical at the Playhouse, and continue our study of how Hammerstein’s legacy can inform future generations of musical writers,” said Producing Director Alexander Fraser.
“Ever since we first arrived in Bucks County —the home of Oscar Hammerstein II during perhaps his most prolific writing period — we have dreamed of presenting Show Boat,” added Executive Producer Robyn Goodman. “We are very excited and proud to present Rob Ruggiero’s concert adaptation with this extraordinary Broadway cast.”
For ticket information visit BucksCountyPlayhouse.org, call (215) 862-2121, or visit the box office at 70 South Main Street, New Hope, Pennsylvania.
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Osnes has been a special guest performer on Playbill’s Broadway on the High Seas cruises. Cabins are now on sale for the Broadway on the Rhône River 2 cruise April 7–14, 2019, with a lineup of top Broadway stars to be announced. Call Playbill Travel for tickets at 866-455-6789 or visit PlaybillTravel.com.
