Casting is now complete for the Bucks County Playhouse's world-premiere concert adaptation of Oscar Hammerstein II and Jerome Kern’s Show Boat, which will be presented June 23 at 7 PM as part of the Playhouse's fourth Oscar Hammerstein Festival.
As previously reported, two-time Tony nominee Laura Osnes will head the cast as Magnolia alongside James Snyder as Gaylord Ravenal with Emmy winner Jessica Walter as Parthy, Clyde Alves as Frank, Natasha Yvette Williams as Queenie, and Stephanie Gibson as Ellie. Michel Bell will reprise his Tony-nominated role of Joe from the 1994 Broadway revival.
Newly announced for the evening are Tony nominee Lee Wilkof, who has replaced the originally reported Michael McGrath as Captain Andy; Marcy Harriell, who will play Julie; Anna Shea, cast as young Kim; and Suzanne Bodine, who will play the Old Lady on the Levee.
Others joining the ensemble include Sumayya Ali, Glenn Seven Allen, Dwelvan David, Ta’Nika Gibson, Beth Kirkpatrick, Brandon Michael Nase, Lindsay O’Neil, and Jason Simon.
The one-night-only event features an all-new adaptation by Rob Ruggiero, narration by Ted Chapin (president and Chief Creative Officer of the Rodgers and Hammerstein Organization), direction by Josh Rhodes, and music direction by Andy Einhorn.
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The groundbreaking musical follows the lives of three generations born on the Cotton Blossom as it sails the Mississippi River from the 1880s to the 1920s.
“I first fell in love with Show Boat when I saw the remarkable 1936 film with Irene Dunne, Paul Robeson, and Helen Morgan. We are thrilled to present our first Hammerstein musical at the Playhouse and continue our study of how Hammerstein’s legacy can inform future generations of musical writers,” said Producing Director Alexander Fraser.
“Ever since we first arrived in Bucks County—the home of Oscar Hammerstein II during perhaps his most prolific writing period—we have dreamed of presenting Show Boat,” added Executive Producer Robyn Goodman. “We are very excited and proud to present Rob Ruggiero’s concert adaptation with this extraordinary Broadway cast.”
For ticket information visit BucksCountyPlayhouse.org, call (215) 862-2121, or visit the box office at 70 South Main Street, New Hope, Pennsylvania.
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Osnes has been a special guest performer on Playbill’s Broadway on the High Seas cruises. Cabins are now on sale for Playbill’s Broadway on the Rhône River 2 cruise April 7–14, 2019, featuring Melissa Errico, Rebecca Luker, Marc Kudisch, and Seth Rudetsky. Call Playbill Travel for tickets at 866-455-6789 or visit PlaybillTravel.com.
