‘Show Boat’ Takes a Fascinating Look Back

When Hal Prince directed his Tony Award-winning revival of “Show Boat” in 1995, he boasted that he had restored much of the material that had been trimmed from the show over the years.

Now, Musical Theatre West goes Prince one better. In honor of the show’s 75th anniversary, MTW is presenting an uncut version as first performed in 1927. The resulting production, now running at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach, is a fascinating sociological document, a window into a bygone era. Thanks to director David Galligan’s streamlined pacing, this unedited version of Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II’s musical, while a mite creaky at times, is never doddering. Often hailed as the first modern musical, “Show Boat” remains a grand old lady of the theater. A few wrinkles may show behind the greasepaint, but she’s spry.

Paul Garman, executive director of MTW, is careful to issue a pre-show disclaimer of sorts, apologizing in advance for any ruffled feelings that might result from the African American stereotypes that are part and parcel of the story.

That’s a legitimate concern. “Ah Still Suits Me,” a second-act number in which Queenie (Brenda Silas Moore) rails at her “shiftless” husband Joe (Dan Tullis Jr.), is wince-worthy, despite the best efforts of Moore and Tullis to sell the song. Joe, who sings “Ol’ Man River,” is a towering American figure, sadly diminished by this “comic” turn. Still, one has to respect the producers’ intentions to present this as-is rendition, a bit of unvarnished Americana, time-warped though it may be.

Despite his awkward character arc, the gifted Tullis remains one of the strongest performers in the show. Also winning is Billy Beadle, who plays Captain Andy not as buffoon, but as a dry and gentle humanist. Choreographer Lee Martino’s ethnic dance sequences, executed with bounding energy by the African American members of the ensemble, are high points. Dale Kristien and Sean McDermott, as sweet young thing Magnolia Hawkes and rakehell gambler Gaylord Ravenal respectively, display awesome vocal range in such duets as “Make Believe” and “You Are Love.” Despite her troweled-on Southern accent, Anne Runolfsson, who plays the ill-fated Julie, delivers a smoothly authoritative “Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man.” Musical director Stephen Gothold assures a rapturous conjunction of voices in this well-rendered and worthy effort, a rare opportunity to see an American classic in its original form.

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“Show Boat,” Carpenter Performing Arts Center, 6200 Atherton St., Long Beach. Thursday-Saturday, July 25, 26 and 27, 8 p.m.; Saturday, Sunday, July 27 and 28, 2 p.m. July 21, 7 p.m. Ends July 28. $20-$45. (562) 430-2324. Running time: 2 hours, 55 minutes.

Magnolia Hawkes Ravenal...Dale Kristien

Gaylord Ravenal...Sean McDermott

Julie LaVerne...Anne Runolfsson

Captain Andy Hawkes...Billy Beadle

Parthy Ann Hawkes...Sandy Yates Hall

Ellie Mae Chipley...Melanie Nicholson

Frank Schultz...Chad Borden

Joe...Dan Tullis Jr.

Queenie...Brenda Silas Moore

Music by Jerome Kern. Book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. Based on the novel by Edna Ferber. Directed by David Galligan. Choreographed by Lee Martino. Musical director Stephen Gothold. Costumer Thomas G. Marquez. Lighting design by Michael Gilliam. Sound design by Julie Ferin