Goodspeed presents "Show Boat"

Goodspeed Musicals, the first two-time Tony Award winning theatre in the country, has just announced that Goodspeed alumni David Aron Damane of Broadway’s “Big River” and “The Life” will play Joe in the theater’s rendition of the American classic “Show Boat.”

This eagerly awaited Goodspeed version of the indelible “Show Boat” will breathe new life into the heart-wrenching musical.  From the director who brought you Goodspeed’s “Camelot” and “1776,” “Show Boat” will run from July 1 – Sept. 11 at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam.

This production will be sponsored by Webster Bank, Essex Meadows, and Comcast. Show Boat is a journey into the lives, loves and heartbreaks of three generations of show folk on the mighty Mississippi River. A sweeping tale spanning four decades, Jerome Kern’s masterpiece is a treasure trove of unforgettable music including “Ol’ Man River,” “Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man,” and “You Are Love.”

“Show Boat” features music by Jerome Kern, and book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. Based on the novel “Show Boat,” by Edna Ferber.

The part of Magnolia will be played by Sarah Uriarte Berry of Broadway’s “The Light in the Piazza,” among others. The part of “Ravenal” will be played by Ben Davis, whose Broadway credits include the recent revival of “A Little Night Music.”

“Queenie” will be played by Andrea Frierson who appeared in Broadway’s “Marie Christine.” The role of “Parthy,” will be played by Karen Murphy of Broadway’s .”A Little Night Music.”  Star of stage and screen Lenny Wolpe will play “Cap’n Andy.” Besides his Broadway credits, Goodspeed audiences will remember Wolpe from “The Baker’s Wife,” and “A Long Way To Boston.”

The role of “Frank” will be played by Danny Gardner of Goodspeed’s “Half a Sixpence,” and the part of “Joe” will be played by David Aron Damane of Broadway’s “Big River.” The Olivier Award-winning Lesli Margherita will play “Julie,” and “Kim” will be played by Madeleine Berry.

The ensemble will include Paule Aboite, Kyle E. Baird, Elizabeth Berg, Robert Hannon Davis, Elise Kinnon, Denise Lute, A’Lisa Miles and Robert Lance Mooney Also joining the ensemble is Rob Richardson, Greg Roderick, Jet Thomason, David Toombs, Mollie Vogt-Welch, Richard Waits, and Nicholas Ward.

“Show Boat” will be directed by Goodspeed favorite Rob Ruggiero, who returns to the Opera House where he previously directed, among others, Irving Berlin’s “Annie Get Your Gun.”

Mr. Ruggiero also directed Broadway’s “High and Looped.”

Choreographer for this production will be Noah Racey who choreographed Goodspeed’s “Annie Get Your Gun,” and starred in “Where’s Charley?”

Michael Schweikardt will be the scenic designer, costume coordinator will be Amy Clark and original costume design is by Florence Klotz.  Lighting will be by John Lasiter and sound design will be by Jay Hilton.

Music director for “Show Boat” is Michael O’Flaherty and F. Wade Russo is assistant music director. Orchestrations will be provided by Dan DeLange and “Show Boat” is produced for Goodspeed Musicals by Michael P. Price.

Curtain times are Wednesday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Thursday at 7:30 p.m. (with select performances at 2:00 p.m.), Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 3 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. (with select performances at 6:30 p.m.).

Tickets are available through the Box Office (860.873.8668), open seven days a week, or on-line at www.goodspeed.org.  For show highlights, exclusive photos, special events and more visit us at goodspeed.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Dedicated to the preservation and advancement of musical theatre, Goodspeed Musicals produces three musicals each season at the Goodspeed Opera House and additional productions at The Norma Terris Theatre in Chester, which was opened in 1984 for the development of new musicals.  The first regional theatre to receive two Tony Awards (for outstanding achievement), Goodspeed also maintains The Scherer Library of Musical Theatre and The Max Showalter Center for Education in Musical Theatre.  Goodspeed gratefully acknowledges the support of associate sponsor Webster Bank; supporting sponsor Essex Meadows; corporate partner Comcast; Sennheiser, the official audio sponsor; Continental, the official airline; and Hoffman Audi, the official auto sponsor of Goodspeed Musicals. Goodspeed is supported in part by the Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism, which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts.