I watched this performance. It is of high quality. The NY Times review of the production states: "it comes close to being a full visual realization of the piece as it was meant to be seen, and it has been mounted with the approval of William Hammerstein" (June 11, 1989). His point is that much more is included than in the truncated movie versions. The sound and video are perfectly acceptable. The person who criticized those elements is mistaken. I enjoyed all the cast members. For me, Richard White (as Ravenal) and Ellia English (as Queenie) especially stand out. The Times critic, Alvin Klein, concluded, "How could anyone, when all those elements - don't forget ensemble, choreography and musical direction - clicked so satisfyingly. This is what a musical is, and listen, Broadway, we miss it."
Klein's review is all the more relevant today. Sadly, if this piece were to be revived on Broadway now it would likely be with an entirely new script as that is the unfortunate current trend. By the way, I just love the actress playing Parthy.
Absolutely the closest modern performance of this great show. I was in college and remember recording this off pbs when it premiered! Shelley was the definitive Julie!
I had never heard of this. A TV version, Great Performances, 1989. A stage production of the classic musical, videotaped in front of a live audience at the Paper Mill Playhouse, New Jersey. There are two famous movies of Showboat, from 1936 and 1951.
God bless you for this; I grew up watching this recorded on Betamax when it premiered live. My very favorite version.
I recorded this when it came on, tand used to watch it all the time. this is my favorite production! thank you so much for uploading this!
I watched this performance. It is of high quality. The NY Times review of the production states: "it comes close to being a full visual realization of the piece as it was meant to be seen, and it has been mounted with the approval of William Hammerstein" (June 11, 1989). His point is that much more is included than in the truncated movie versions. The sound and video are perfectly acceptable. The person who criticized those elements is mistaken. I enjoyed all the cast members. For me, Richard White (as Ravenal) and Ellia English (as Queenie) especially stand out. The Times critic, Alvin Klein, concluded, "How could anyone, when all those elements - don't forget ensemble, choreography and musical direction - clicked so satisfyingly. This is what a musical is, and listen, Broadway, we miss it."
Klein's review is all the more relevant today. Sadly, if this piece were to be revived on Broadway now it would likely be with an entirely new script as that is the unfortunate current trend. By the way, I just love the actress playing Parthy.
Absolutely the closest modern performance of this great show. I was in college and remember recording this off pbs when it premiered! Shelley was the definitive Julie!
I had never heard of this. A TV version, Great Performances, 1989. A stage production of the classic musical, videotaped in front of a live audience at the Paper Mill Playhouse, New Jersey. There are two famous movies of Showboat, from 1936 and 1951.
Show Boat
1951 👎 IMHO.
a timeless musical
ģŕeat music
imortal
We need a better quality in video. Also I cant really seem to understand what is being Said from time to time.