Show Boat The Musical

Music by Jerome Kern
Book and Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II

Show Boat Recommended Resources

Plot Summary & Audition Tips

List of Characters in Show Boat

Show Boat Karaoke Background Tracks CD
Show Boat 1971 London Revival Cast Rec.
Show Boat 1946 Broadway Revival Cast Rec.
Show Boat 1962 Studio Cast Recording
Show Boat Original 1928 London Cast Rec.

Show Boat 1951 Film Version on DVD
Show Boat Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Based on the novel Show Boat by Edna Ferber.

On the Mississippi River, 1880's - 1920's.

Show Boat Audition Notes

Show Boat's music is very operetta-like and of high difficulty, and requires trained singers. It features characters of a specific ethnicity. This show has very heavy dance numbers and requires trained dancers.

Magnolia (legit soprano)

Cap'n Andy's daughter. Begins the show as a naive young girl, and growns into a sadder but wiser woman

Cap'n Andy (Baritone)

loveable, crusty

Parthy Ann

Gaylord Ravenal (legit tenor)

Replaces Steve as performer. Marries Magnolia but later abandons her. Suave but phony gambler.

Julie LaVerne (Mezzo)

Married to Steve. Performer on the boat.

Joe (Bass, Negro)

Must have a voice worthy of "Ol' Man River"

Steve

Married to Julie. Performer on the boat.

Queenie (Alto, Negro)

Frank Schultz (Tenor/High Baritone)

Ellie May Chipley (Alto)

Sheriff Vallon

Chorus

Show Boat Related Websites

Audition Preparation Materials

List of Songs in Show Boat (Click the song title to download digital sheet music)

• Improve your dance skills here.
• other shows with characters of particular ethnicities
• Shows in the operetta style

• Cotton Blossom
• Cap'n Andy's ballyhoo
• Where's the mate for me
• Make believe 
• Ol' Man River
• Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man
• Life on the wicked stage
• Till good luck comes my way
• Mis'ry's comin' aroun'
• I would like to play a lover's part
• I might fall back on you
• Queenie's ballyhoo
• You are love  
• At the fair
• Why do I love you? 
• In Dahomey
• Bill
• Trocadero opening chorus
• Apache dance
• Goodbye, my lady love
• After the ball
• Hey, feller
• It's getting hotter in the north
• Yes, ma'am
• Kim's imitations (why do I love you?)
• Dance away the night
• A pack of cards
• Creole love song
• Out there in an orchard
• Gallivantin' aroun'
• I have the room above her
• Ah still suits me
• Nobody else but me