SHOW BOAT(1999)
Our 1999 production of “Show Boat” was as complex a production as we would likely ever produce. It was certainly never our intention to create the torrent of controversy that accompanied the production from early November through to the end of the school year in June. Letters and phone calls to the school, newspaper articles and editorials, letters to the editor, discussions about our show on Vancouver radio and even the presence of television cameras was in evidence at the school. Our controversial production was even written about in a Halifax, Nova Scotia newspaper! However, I shall write nothing more of this aspect of the production but concentrate on other things.
The complex storyline of life on the Cotton Blossom showboat had a multitude of characters and some very difficult music - the rich musical score was part of a production that broke theatrical traditions by combining serious powerful themes and lavish physical stage presentation. Costuming, lighting, choreography, makeup and so on were required to tell the story that spanned a period of 40 years. It is a story with a great sense of period and regional environment. Our set construction team, set decorators and properties team were also required to reflect the story’s time span. The entire production team came up with an outstanding performance that again did the school proud. I would be remiss not mention the main set piece of the boat itself. Based on photographs of showboats from the time period, our set was a two-story showboat that rolled on stage on a purpose-built 16 wheel trailer....a massive undertaking that really wowed the audience.
The cast featured Frank Logan whose show-stopping “Ol’ Man River” genuinely moved the audience but to single out one individual would be an injustice to the rest of the 50 plus cast members. The fine performance brought this conclusion as described by a newspaper article: “when the curtain rose for the final bow, the near capacity crowd at the Abbey Arts Centre let loose with their praise and support for a fine performance.
One audience member wrote: “that “Show Boat” was a phenomenal performance for high school students.....I am still in shock at seeing such a remarkable show....”
Anecdote: Yar Recned was in the scene set in the Trocadero Restaurant.
see also: Memory Lane (Photos) - Show Boat
