‘Show Boat’ Cast Members Get Shore Leave in Costa Mesa

The scene: Cast members of the epic musical “Show Boat” met with Orange County arts supporters for a Southern-style supper at Scott’s Seafood Grill & Bar in Costa Mesa after their opening-night performance Tuesday at Segerstrom Hall.

Southern comfort: Parched and hungry, “Show Boat” star Tom Bosley--who played Cap’n Andy in the 1995 Tony Award-winning revival--ordered a cool one for himself and his wife, Patricia, before heading for the fresh seafood displayed in a showboat-shaped ice sculpture. “I love doing this show,” Bosley said of the 1927 Jerome Kern/Oscar Hammerstein musical. “We’re the same age, for one thing.”

The strength of the national touring production is the cast, Bosley said. “I’m really blessed to have such great people to work with.”

Foiled again: Performer Karen Morrow, who plays Bosley’s wife, Parthy, in the production, called “Show Boat” a “flawless and timeless piece of writing. It’s as fresh and poignant as it was” 70 years ago, she said.

“I’m Tom’s foil; he’s so lovely with everybody else and then, along comes this old bat,” she said, laughing. “But I’ve softened Parthy up a bit, and no one seems to mind.”

Quote: “I remember when I was a kid seeing the music for ‘Show Boat’ lying on the family piano,” said former astronaut Buzz Aldrin, 68, who attended the party with his wife, Lois Driggs-Aldrin. “You just can’t beat ‘Ol’ Man River.’ ”

Spiritually speaking: Baritone Andre Solomon-Glover (Joe) sang the hauntingly beautiful “Ol’ Man River” several times in the production.

“What comes to mind when you’re about to take on a role like this is the legacy of those who have sung it. How does one deal with the anxiety of that and still just tell the simple truth that is available in the song?

“One has to look inside oneself and find the simple humanity of the song, then manifest that in their own humanity,” said Solomon-Glover, who has sung spirituals for the likes of humanitarian Nelson Mandela. “The song is barely secular, you know. Being able to bless and edify people with it is an extraordinary opportunity.”

Guest list: Cast members Sarah Pfisterer (Magnolia), Gretha Boston (Queenie), John Ruess (Gaylord) and Debbie de Coudreaux (Julie). Also attending were center President Jerry E. Mandel with his wife, Whitney; former center president Thomas Kendrick with his wife, Judy O’Dea Morr, center vice president of programming; Susan and Timothy Strader; Vesta Curry; Mike Davis; Carol and Bob Follman; William Hall; Ben Du; and Sandy and Allan Fainbarg.

* ‘SHOW’ AND TELL

Laurie Winer reviews the production. Weekend, Page 28