A Look Into the Revolutionizing Production of Show Boat

Although the production of Show Boat made its first Broadway appearance in 1927, it is still remembered today as one of the most revolutionizing musicals to ever hit the stage. Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein brought the 1926 Show Boat novel by Edna Ferb to life through this production with songs like "Ol' Man River" and "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man". The show itself has been made into various film and television adaptations, as well performed in opera houses and professional theaters across the country. But what truly makes this musical so "revolutionary"? 

Revolutionizing a Genre

The Cast

Perhaps one of the most revolutionizing aspects of the show was the integrated cast. Not only did white and black performers share the stage throughout the entirety of the show, but they had nearly equal performace time. One of the most well known songs of the production, "Ol' Man River" was led and performed entirely by black performers - something that was not typically seen at the time.

The Plot 

Show Boat was very skillfully written and produced. Many musical theater productions at the time were somewhat superficial, but Show Boat's plot spanned over the course of 40 years. There were a variety of cultural contexts that the plot is set within - Chicago World's Fair, The Harlem Renaissance, and the rise of Ragtime. This expansive plot allows for a variety of issues and themes to be explored.

The Characters

The characters of Show Boat are considered to be more realistic and three-dimensional compared to the characters of other productions at the time. They are extremely developed over a span of 40 years within the production's plot and the characters can be seen growing, aging, and experiencing different stages of life. Each character deals with realistic problems, such as addiction, love, race, and relationships. Therefore, the characters were considered to be more relatable to the audience and viewers.

Issues within the Plot and Characterization

Although Show Boat is a revolutionizing production, it must be recognized that there are some problematic aspects to the characterization and plot. Songs within the production implement lyrics with certain dialect and genres of music such as ragtime, which become racialized on the stage. Magnolia, a white character, performs one of these songs - "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man of Mine" alongside Queenie and Julie (two black characters) and an entire stage of black performers. She utilizes aspects such as dialect while singing the song, and eventually is asked to "rag it" in a night club when auditioning for a job. 

Some Literary Themes

A variety of themes are explored throughout Show Boat. One of these themes includes race. Laws against miscegination were were set within the plot of this production, and interracial marriages between characters worked to navigate these laws. Two of the main characters, Julie and Steve, were in an interracial marriage themselves, although Julie had been "passing as white". However, once it was revealed that she was not, her and steve were forced to leave the Cotton Blossom in order to avoid trouble and issues that would come there way due to these extreme, unfair, and racist laws.

 

(Julie and Steve)

Another theme that is explored throughout Show Boat is family relationships. Almost every main character aboard the Cottom Blossom is in a relationship. Characters, such as Magnolia and Ravenal experience the positive side of relationships such as marriage and having a child of their own, however, Magnolia and her daughter Kim must also face the hardships that come along with Ravenal's unexpected abandonment of their family when they begin facing financial hardships. 

(Magnolia and Ravenal)

Songs that Explore or Reveal the Theme of Addiction and Abandonment

The theme of addiction stood out to me in Show Boat because it seems to be one of the less explored themes, although multiple characters could be seen struggling with it. Multiple forms of addiction were revealed, such as Ravenal's gambling addiction and Julie's alcohol addiction. Not only did these addictions negatively impact them, but those around them, and those very dear to them. Ultimately, these addictions contributed to the downfall of their relationships and abandonment. 

(Julie singing "Bill")

"Till Good Luck Comes My Way"

This song was performed by the river boat gambler Gaylord Ravenal after leaving a saloon where he lost a gambling game. The song explores his addiction with gambling and his tendency to trust fate and luck to handle his finances. Lyrics such as "Till good luck comes my way, I'll play along" and "I let fate decide if I walk or ride" are sung and exemplify his blindness to the issues that gambling brings. He recognizes that he will continue to gamble until it pays off, yet even then, he will gamble his winnings away. He depends on the fate of the game to support himself, and eventually his family.

Although his gambling supports his family (Magnolia and Kim) and lifestyle for a while, it was bound to take a downhill turn - much like his lyrics "But when Fortune reverses her spinning, Life is not a-glowing". They are forced to give up their glamorous lifestyle and pawn their possessions in order to stay afloat. However, when the last of the money has been spent, and the last of the possessions sold, Ravenal makes the decision to abandon his family. 

"Bill"

This song was sung by the ex-leading lady of the Cotton Blossom, Julie. She sung this song in a drunken state at the Tracedero club, where she performed regularly after leaving the Cotton Blossom. Before she started singing, other characters mentioned her tendency to show up to rehearsals drunk, and the fact that her husband (Steve) left her because of her addiction. The song details the experience of finding the partner that you love and feel is perfect for you, simply because they are themselves and although it is not directly about addiction itself, it portrays an issue that addiction can bring - ruined relationships. As she sings this song, its clear that she is thinking about Steve and remembering the relationship that they had before she started drinking. She sings lyrics such as "I love him because he's wonderful, because he's just my Bill" and "And I can't explain why he should be just the one, one man in the world for me. He's just my Bill an ordinary man". She seems to realize that she has filled her emptiness and loss with alcohol, and that perhaps it wasn't worth losing Steve over.

When comparing the addictions of Ravenal and Julie, a few aspects can be pointed out. First off, Ravenal is a white man, whereas Julie is a woman of mixed race. As for the source of addiction, Ravenal's only progresses throughout the entirety of the production - he begins with an addiction, and ends with an addiction. The reason for his addiction isn't necessarily revealed, but it can be assumed that he is greedy and privileged, hence his constant desire to attain more. As for Julie, she does not begin with an addiction, but ends with one. Her career falls apart after it is revealed that she and her husband Steve have broken the laws against miscegination that were in place at the time. She is forced to leave the Cotton Blossom and find work elsewhere. Ultimately, Ravenal's addiction to gambling results in him abandoning his own family by choice, whereas Julie's addiction results in her being abandoned by her husband. In the aftermath, Julie continues to drink in order to cope with her failed relationship and her dwindling career. Similaraly, it can be assumed that Ravenal continues to gamble in order to support and entertain himself, since he no longer has a family to support. However, because this was a personal choice, it isn't necessarily a coping mechanism for him. In the end, Julie is seen passing on her career at the Trocadero to Magnolia (who is now poor and struggling due to Ravenal abandoning her) and we do not necessarily know where she ends up. However, Ravenal can be seen eventually reuniting with his family, a now grown up Kim and successful Magnolia - with no thanks to him. Ultimately, Julie recognizes the consequences that her addiction has brought, whereas Ravenal seems to face none.