What? ‘Show Boat’ docking at the Alhambra

As part of its 50th anniversary season, the Alhambra Theater and Dining, the nation’s longest-running professional dinner theater, will open its run of “Show Boat” (presented by Fleet Landing), beginning Wednesday, February 22, 2017 for 5 weeks.

The premiere of “Show Boat” on Broadway in 1927 was an eye-opening moment in the history of American musicals.  Compared to the trivial and unrealistic operettas, light musical comedies and “follies-type musical revues” that defined Broadway in the 1890s and early 20th century, “Show Boat” was, according to the Complete Book of Light Opera, “a radical departure in musical storytelling, marrying spectacle with seriousness.”

The quality of the musical was recognized immediately by the critics of its day, and Show Boat is frequently revived.  Awards for Broadway shows did not exist in 1927 when the original production of the show premiered, nor in 1932, when its first revival was staged. However Late 20th-century revivals of Show Boat have won both the1995 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical and London’s equivalent in 1991, the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival.

A little about “Show Boat”. It’s based on Edna Ferber's best-selling novel of the same name.  The musical follows the lives of the performers, stagehands and dock workers who were on the Cotton Blossom (a Mississippi River show boat) from 1887 to 1927.  When Julie LaVerne and her husband Steve Baker are forced to leave the showboat Cotton Blossom (their marriage is illegal because of Julie's mixed blood), their places are taken by Magnolia Hawks, the Captain's daughter, and Gaylord Ravenal, a gambler.  Magnolia and Ravenal fall in love, marry, leave the boat and move to Chicago, where they live off Ravenal's earnings from gambling.  After they go broke Gay feels guilty and leaves Magnolia, not knowing she is pregnant. — IMDb.  The musical contributed such classic songs as: "Ol' Man River," "Make Believe" and "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man.”

Starring in the show as Captain Andy will be Bill Galarno.  Galarno appeared in the Alhambra’s 1968 production of “The Fantastics.”  Galarno is excited to be back at the Alhambra for “Show Boat.”  Bill has also appeared on Broadway in "Abe Lincoln in Illinois" with Sam Waterston, "The Sound of Music" as Herr Zeller with Constance Towers, and "Candide" with Alan Arkin. National tours include "110 in the Shade" with Will Geer, "Move over Mrs. Markham" as Alistair and "The Sound of Music."

Said Managing Partner, Craig Smith, “Show Boat is a classic and certainly an important show as we journey through our 50th anniversary season.  We are certainly lucky to have Bill with us as Captain Andy.  Having him back certainly represents our theme of “50 Years of Memories.”

 “Show Boat”
DATES: February 22 — April 2, 2017

SHOW TIMES: Evening shows Tuesday through Sunday start at 7:50 p.m.  Doors open at 5:50 p.m., and dinner begins at 6 p.m.  Saturday Matinees begin at 1:15 p.m.  Doors open at 10:50 a.m. and the brunch begins at 11 a.m.  Sunday Matinees are at 1:50 p.m.  Doors open at 11:50 a.m. and the meal is server starting 12 p.m.

DRESS: “Gala Night” (Friday Feb. 24, 2017) attire is “Dressy/Formal/Black Tie”.  All other shows could be “Business Casual” or “Sunday Best”.  To see the menu, Click HERE.

TICKETS: Prices range from $35 – $62.  Ticket prices include: a plated dinner served to your table, an incredible show and prime parking.  Group sales of 20 + are available upon request. 

 **Price does NOT include gratuity or orders from the bar**

LOCATION: Alhambra Theater & Dining
       12000 Beach Blvd.
       Jacksonville, Florida 32246
       (904) 641-1212