Timeline

The First Keelboat


A $200 keelboat owned by Noah Ludlow travels down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers with 11 associates on board. Ludlow’s Noah’s Ark stopped at different locations to perform.

a badge with logo

1816


a badge with logo

1831


The “Floating Theater”


The first ever showboat named Floating Theater is created in Pittsburgh, USA by British-born actor William Chapman, Sr. He lived on the boat with his family of 9 and performed plays with music and dance at spots along the waterways. Spectators paid in either money or in goods such as fresh vegetables.

“Steamboat Theatre”


The Chapman family had made enough money to afford a larger, fully equipped steam engine with a stage, named the Steamboat Theatre.

a badge with logo

1836


a badge with logo

1878


Growing Popularity


Following a decline in popularity during the Civil War, Showboats picked back up again. Popular boats included the New Era, Water Queen, New Sensation and the Princess.

“The Cotton Blossom”


the cotton blossom ship

As automobiles and road travel became increasingly popular, Showboats had to become bigger and more elaborate to maintain their appeal. Boats such as the Cotton Blossom and the Golden Rod had colourful and elaborate designs.

a badge with logo

1900


a badge with logo

1926


Edna Ferber Releases Book


Edna Ferber stayed on the James Adams Floating Theatre which toured the Chesapeake Bay. Here she wrote the novel Show Boat which was released later in the year.

First Stage Adaptation: Broadway


Ferber’s novel is adapted into a stage musical by Jerome Kern (music) and Oscar Hammerstein II (book & Lyrics). The show marked a turning-point for American musicals, moving away from operettas and light musical comedies that preceded it and re-defining musical storytelling. The musical previewed with a pre-Broadway tour before opening in New York in December at the Ziegfeld Theatre.

a badge with logo

1927


a badge with logo

1928


First West End Production


The first West End production of Show Boat opened at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane starring Cedric Hardwicke, Edith Day, Paul Robeson and Alberta Hunter.

Extensive National US Tour


Show Boat closes on Broadway before embarking on an extensive national tour with Irene Dunne playing the role of “Magnolia”.

a badge with logo

1929


a badge with logo

1932


Revival at Casino Theatre


Original producer Florenz Ziegfeld revived Show Boat on Broadway at the Casino Theatre with most of the original cast.

First Film Adaptation


Universal Studios release a film adaptation of Show Boat featuring Irene Dunne alongside other touring and Broadway cast members including Hattie McDaniel and Allan Jones.

a badge with logo

1936


a badge with logo

1951


MGM Film Released


MGM release a revised film version of Show Boat. Although based on the original story and including many of the original songs, the film adapted many details of character and plot.

New Production at Lincoln Center


A new production of Show Boat is produced by the Musical Theater of Lincoln Center and played at the New York State Theater. The musical starred Barbara Cook as “Magnolia”, Constance Towers as “Julie” and Stephen Douglass as “Ravenal”.

a badge with logo

1966


a badge with logo

1971


West End Production at Adelphi Theatre


The second West End production opened in July at the Adelphi Theatre, the production ran for 909 performances.

Washington D.C. Production


Mickey Rooney starred as Cap’n Andy in a production of the show at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

a badge with logo

1983


a badge with logo

1989


Paper Mill Playhouse Production


The Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, New Jersey created a production directed by Eddie Bracken that restored the show to be more in line with the original version.

Opera North & RSC Revival at the London Palladium


Opera North and the Royal Shakespeare Company join forces to present a revival of Show Boat at the London Palladium.

a badge with logo

1990


a badge with logo

1994


Broadway & Touring Revival Produced by Harold Prince


The most recent major Broadway production of Show Boat opens at the George Gershwin Theatre, produced and directed by Harold Prince. Running for 947 performances, it was the longest running Broadway version of the musical to date. The production also toured the US as well as running in London and Melbourne.

Tony And Drama Desk Awards


Show Boat is awarded a Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical and a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Musical.

a badge with logo

1995


a badge with logo

1998


West End run at Prince Edward Theatre


Hal Prince produces a West End run at the Prince Edward Theatre, which runs from April to September. The production received a nomination for Outstanding Musical Production at the Olivier Awards.

First Full Musical at Royal Albert Hall


London’s Royal Albert Hall stages its first full musical production with a revival of Show Boat directed by Francesca Zambello.

a badge with logo

2006


a badge with logo

2015


Sheffield Crucible Theatre Revival


Daniel Evans’ revival of Show Boat ran at the Sheffield Crucible Theatre to acclaim from critics and audiences alike including many 5 star reviews.

Show Boat at the New London Theatre


Show Boat transfers from Sheffield, opening at the New London Theatre in the West End in April for the first time in almost 20 years.

a badge with logo

2016