mspt@goldfishpublishers.com
Reviewed 1/9/04
Oscar Hammerstein II and Jerome Kern’s Show Boat may seem rather trite and unrealistic to modern audiences, but theatrical historians quickly note this 1927 musical as one of the steppingstones to the modern Broadway musical. It’s hard to understand while watching people fall in love and fall apart in the length of a song or hear stagy dialogue, but it’s important to remember that in comparison to the unbelievably cheesy and formulaic Sigmund Romberg-style musical operettas being mounted in the early part of the 20th century, Kern and Hammerstein were the controversial rappers of their time. The realistic presentation of racism and failing romance were shocking, and it is the grandpappy of all later influential musicals such as Oklahoma, Cabaret, and Rent. One major problem of mounting this period piece, though, is that the original is approximately three and a half hours long, while Broadway Palm West Dinner Theatre is restricted by the modern requirement of getting their audience out at least an hour earlier. Director M. Seth Reines has liberally hacked away a lot of the repetitions and some of the kitsch, and offers an only somewhat dragging version of this landmark piece. Highlighted by several excellent performances and the best set (spectacularly designed by Robin McKercher) in the three seasons of this company, the show is able to overcome a few bad performances and an overwrought middle section to the first act that threatens to put some of it’s audience to sleep.
The buffet is as filled with hits and misses as the cast. The Crab Stuffed Sole with Tomato Basil Cream Sauce was excellent enough to command seconds (and thirds) at our table, and the always-dependable carved Braised Eye Round of Beef once again did not disappoint. My guests liked the tasty Honey Glazed Ham with Orange Pineapple Chutney, though we were all unimpressed by a flavorless Lemon Parmesan Dusted Chicken and an inexplicably salty Roasted Garlic Cheese Shells with Marinara. The vegetable choices were highlighted by wonderful Roasted New Potatoes and crisp Chef’s Vegetables, but the Baby Carrots with Molasses Butter were strangely over and undercooked all at once.
The cast, save for a few, are wonderful singers, highlighted by André McRae’s soulful Joe singing the classic “Old Man River.” Jeannie Shubitz’ perky and trilling Magnolia, and Jason Fleck’s dashing tenor as Magnolia’s man, Gaylord Ravenal. Shubitz and Fleck make a great pair, knocking the audience out with their romantic duet “You Are Love.” Phil Hope’s Captain Andy is lively, energetic, and likable, and Pat Grover’s Parthy is an appropriately stern balance to the exuberant Hope. Equally a good couple to Shubitz and Fleck in the comedic and performance sense are the very funny Jillian Nyhan and Danny Taylor as comic actress with aspirations of drama Ellie and bad guy-typecast Frank. The two do an excellent job with the showstopping “I Might Fall Back on You.” It is here that Dottie Lester-White’schoreography really shines.
Reines and the company are very wary about the perceived racism of the piece and they do what they can with some of the slightly unsavory moments, although Annie Cain Bolden’s portrayal of the woefully stereotypical Queenie not only suffers from her awful acting choices, it also edges into some questionable territory.
JR McAlexander’s orchestra, usually solid and sometimes impressive, sounds overly-synthesized this go around, which is disappointing. I can’t say enough how much I am bowled over by McKercher’s enormous and well-appointed set, excellently lit by Russell A. Thompson. This is the first time where I feel a transcendence of the space limited by small wings and no fly space. Maureen Smith’s costumes are bright and enjoyable, though Dave Temby’s sound design is mixed. Especially disappointing is the lack of modulation in the song “Queenie’s Ballyhoo,” which is not helped by Bolden’s inability to enunciate.
This is an overall enjoyable evening, if still a bit overlong, with several excellent performances and design elements.
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