Show Boat: Rolling Along in the 21st Century

Catalog description

Show Boat, a 1927 musical with a score by Jerome Kern, book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, based on Edna Ferber's 1926 novel, is universally recognized by scholars of American theater and musical theater as a seminal text and a groundbreaking (and popular) addition to the Broadway canon. The Skirball Center, under Jay Wegman's leadership, is presenting a production, Show/Boat: A River, directed by David Herskovits for Target Margin Theater during January, 2025. The production at Skirball will be the first production of Show Boat since it has entered the public domain and therefore the first production that can be reinterpreted without any restrictions from the original rights holders. The musical was groundbreaking in its use of narrative, race, American culture, gender politics, and epic storytelling back in 1927; this course would explore its original production as a background to further interrogate its influence and its context in the 21st Century. Students would attend a late rehearsal (pre-dress) at Skirball, as well as the actual performance, allowing for artistic, critical, and practical observations on the process and the final product. Additionally, students will investigate film, stage, and popular recordings from/inspired by Show Boat. Guest speakers will be part of the curriculum.