Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre
510 Centerville Road
Lancaster, PA 17601
717-898-1900
Passions run high on the mighty Mississippi
Spanning almost 50 years from 1880 to 1927, Show Boat follows the lives, loves and heartbreaks of three generations of riverboat performers. The show illuminates the racial and social changes that were shaping the country through that time. The main story follows the captain’s daughter, Magnolia. She marries a gambler and moves to Chicago only to be abandoned by him and left alone with their young daughter. As time passes, Magnolia and her daughter are reunited with her family on the show boat and her estranged husband returns with hope for a second chance. The timeless score by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II includes favorites like Ol’ Man River, Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man and Make Believe.
This production features Dutch Apple veteran Troy Bruchwalski as Gaylord Ravenal, Carin Lagerberg as Magnolia, Mike Brennan as Captain Andy and Jennifer Hope as Parthy. A couple new faces joining the cast are Marc-Anthony Lewis as Joe and Shuga Henry as Queenie. Dean Sobon is directing the show. His recent directing credits include the national tour of The Wizard of Oz and the Dutch Apple productions of Something’s Afoot, My Fair Lady, Clue, the Musical and Oklahoma! Ford Hauser is choreographing. Hauser previously worked with Sobon on Dutch Apple’s productions of My Fair Lady and Oklahoma!
Show Boat broke the mold of traditional music theatre
Show Boat plays a major role in the evolution of musical theatre after its release in 1927. The show presented something, unlike anything musical theatre had seen before. In previous years, musical theatre was made up of comedies with amusing songs and thin plots, vaudeville shows, and classic operettas. Jerome Kern (music) and Oscar Hammerstein II (book and lyrics) challenged that standard by adapting Edna Ferber’s epic novel Show Boat into a revolutionary musical. The scenes of the show were not necessarily amusing, but more dramatic, with each meant to further the plot. The songs were not inserted for amusement, but rather came about naturally through a dramatic situation. At times, songs even foreshadowed what lies ahead. The show captured a new depth that musical theater had not been known for in the past. Show Boat stands the test of time as an all-time favorite show and was a true turning point for musical theatre.
Order your tickets now
Get your tickets now for Show Boat at Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre playing March 22 through April 28, 2018. Performances are Tuesday through Sundays evenings with selected matinees. Adult dinner and show ticket prices range from $55 to $65. Child dinner and show pricing is available for $25 for children under 12 and $29 for students ages 13-18. Group pricing is available for groups of 16 or more. Tickets are now on sale and can be reserved by calling (717) 898-1900, ordering online at DutchApple.com or by stopping at the box office at 510 Centerville Rd in Lancaster.
Be sure to check out the additional shows that Dutch Apple has planned for 2018:
*Blog post submitted by Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre