PBS to air Lincoln Center Show Boat Friday

[OlBlueEyes]

Posted: 10/15/15 at 3:50am

I see from all the ads plastered around my display, and confirmed by checking the WNET schedule, that PBS, at least in New York, on Friday at 9:00 pm is finally going to broadcast the concert version of Show Boat that was performed with the New York Philharmonic last November as part of "Live From Lincoln Center.". Of course it won't really be live like South Pacific was. I don't even remember reading about it last year, although there are a lot of things I don't remember well any more. Not too much buzz about it now. Ted Sperling directed.

Reviews?

 

Any performance of that score backed by a full orchestra has to have a lot of good in it. And it's always interesting to see what songs they include. Kern and Hammerstein wrote more songs for the original production than would fit, and additional songs were written for the first Broadway revival (I think) and the 1930s film.

 

I read that they actually use the original big closing number, "It's Getting Hotter in the North" that got cut from the original, for time I think, and has never been performed in any major revival or any of the three films. I heard it on John McGlinn's three CD collection of every song ever written for Show Boat and I like it.

Updated On: 10/15/15 at 03:50 AM

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 10/15/15 at 4:23am

"Of course it won't really be live like South Pacific was."

 

I wonder how they'll do it. When I went I remember all the cameras/video equipment around. But there were also some line flubs. Maybe they'll edit parts of different performances together. On the whole I enjoyed it. It was the first time I'd seen Show Boat live and it's quickly become one of my favorite shows since then. It did feel a little long and I was slightly let down by Vanessa Williams' acting and while her singing was great I think she changed up Julie's songs too much for my taste. Norm Lewis was also a bit of a let down especially because I could hear a really great bass in the chorus/ensemble. The ensemble sounded fantastic though, as did the orchestra. I think Lauren Worsham and Julian Ovenden did very well managing the style of music for Nola and Ravenal. It was a nice balance between the more operatic style/style of the Irene Dunne movie and a more contemporary sound. Alli Mauzey was adorable and hilarious. Natasha Yvette Williams was great. I remember being the most underwhelmed by Nola's parents. This is all going off my memory. It'll be interesting to revisit it after so much time.

[TerrenceIsTheMann]

Posted: 10/15/15 at 4:51am

"Norm Lewis was also a bit of a let down especially because I could hear a really great bass in the chorus/ensemble." 
I agree with this. It's exactly what I was thinking leaving Lincoln Center, and I thought about it again recently. Lewis is simply overcasted these days. I feel like he's in every concert. 

 

[StageStruckLad]

Posted: 10/15/15 at 11:25am

I heard a renowned bass, Eric Owens, sing "Ol' Man River" last night with the New York Philharmonic, and I was disappointed that his rendition was so operatic with very little feeling for the lyrics. Given the choice, I'd rather go with an actor like Lewis, who I'm sure will find the heart of the song's meaning, rather than showing off his vocal skills.

[Kad]

Posted: 10/15/15 at 12:14pm

I thought this was a fairly lesser entry in the concert series, aside from being able to hear this glorious score played so lushly. Unfortunately, it was let down by some uninspired performances. And it was nice to hear "It's Getting Hotter in the North."

[jimmycurry01]

Posted: 10/15/15 at 12:29pm

The 1936 film will always be the definitive version for me. In any case, I will still record this and add it to the collection.

[OlBlueEyes]

Posted: 10/15/15 at 10:52pm

I have the VHS of the 1936 film and I just ordered the DVD. I like parts of all three versions that I have seen, the two films and the Hal Prince 1984 revival. Yes, even the splashy MGM film, produced by Arthur Freed, with its signature happy ending.

 

As in song selection, the creative crew has almost a free hand in deciding where the second act will go. You've got to have Gay desert Magnolia either knowing or not knowing that he had a daughter; Julie secretly finding the destitute Magnolia auditioning for the New Year's Eve job and quitting so Magnolia will get the job; Julie singing "Bill" somewhere, not because the song has any connection to the story, but because it is so popular. And you've got to have Magnolia and Gay meeting again either a few or a lot of years after Gay split and either definitely or possibly reuniting.

 

The rest is pretty much up to you. 

Updated On: 10/15/15 at 10:52 PM

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 10/15/15 at 11:21pm

The San Francisco opera version that was released on video recently was pretty good, except it fell apart in the end.  The acting was mostly opera singer acting, but the voices were incredible. 

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 10/15/15 at 11:24pm

"It's Getting Hotter in the North" was used???? I'm DEFINITELY giving it a watch.

[jimmycurry01]

Posted: 10/15/15 at 11:26pm

Phyllis Rogers Stone said: "The San Francisco opera version that was released on video recently was pretty good, except it fell apart in the end.  The acting was mostly opera singer acting, but the voices were incredible. 

 

"

It is the opera singer type of acting that makes me weary of buying it. I have a recording of the one aired on PBS years ago for Great Performances, that one isn't bad,  but it is still lacking something. 

 

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 10/16/15 at 1:02am

There's something about the opera style that lends itself to it, but yes, their singing voices pick up the emotional heft their acting doesn't.  Plus there are a couple of songs you don't see a lot, like Misery's Comin' Around and Till Good Luck Comes My Way  

That Great Performances of the Paper Mill production was on when I was in high school and I watched it all the time.  I still do every few years. 

[RockyRoad]

Posted: 10/16/15 at 2:09am

The SF Opera production is 100% better than the disappointing Lincoln Center version. Opera superstar Patrica Racette play Julie and doesn't not "operafy" the songs and her acting is simply fantastic. One of the best Julies I have ever seen. The parents played by Harriette Harris and Bill Irwin were superb. The first time I have ever been interested in these roles.

If things had worked out, it would have been the SF Opera version on PBS. I understand that Lincoln Center pulled some PBS strings to get their version chosen. And we are the worse for it.

[OlBlueEyes]

Posted: 10/16/15 at 9:23am

Is there any recording of the San Francisco Opera production? Either video or vocal.

 

I doubt that PBS had any choice in not picking the SF show.  PBS has been broadcasting Live From Lincoln Center for 41 years (gasp), and the contract probably specified that the show was to be broadcast on PBS as part of the Live from Lincoln Center series.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 10/16/15 at 9:40am

Yes, it's on dvd and blu ray.

[newintown]

Posted: 10/16/15 at 11:00am

I agree with many of the above posts - the orchestra sounded great, and it was terrific to hear the rarely used songs like "It's Getting Hotter in the North," and "Misery's Comin' Round." As far as performers, the only standout (for me) was Lauren Worsham as Magnolia, who I felt was exactly right in every way. Williams was being overly-careful of her (never very exciting) voice, Lewis couldn't work the low notes for full value, Ovendon was vexingly nasal, Fitzgerald and Mauzey didn't find much comedy to play (and neither is much of dancer). Jane Alexander and Fred Willard, as Parthy and Andy, were just oddities.

Updated On: 10/16/15 at 11:00 AM

[Alessio2]

Posted: 10/16/15 at 2:01pm

Anyone know if I can watch this online tonight or at a later date on the PBS website? I don't get PBS unfortunately.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 10/16/15 at 2:12pm

It will be on PBS.com

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 10/16/15 at 2:12pm

Alessio2 said: "Anyone know if I can watch this online tonight or at a later date on the PBS website? I don't get PBS unfortunately."

 

Usually they're available online for a while.

[gypsy101]

Posted: 10/16/15 at 9:02pm

I'm so excited to watch this tonight!

[elphaba.scares.me]

Posted: 10/16/15 at 10:47pm

Saw this live the day that it was filmed.

Worsham was amazing. Liked Ovendon too but thought she overshadowed him. Really didn't feel sympathy for his character which is a major flaw despite his charm. Would have liked to see Jeremy Jordan in this role.

Vanessa Williams just leaves me cold. I want to like her, I really do. But she never seems to let her guard down, which is okay for Ugly Betty but a huge problem for Julie in Show Boat. I have never, ever seen her be "ugly."  

I know she's got more than enough of a career to never have to give a **** what I think but I wish she could let us into her head onstage. BTW I felt the same way re: ITW and Sondheim on Sondheim. Beautiful, great charisma and glamour, but if she could only get her persona out of the way of her (undoubtedly significant) humanity...WOW.

[Steve C.]

Posted: 10/16/15 at 10:53pm

I'm hearing/seeing this for the first time tonight. I'm not really that thrilled. I agree with the previous posts, ie. Kad, it's just not great as a whole. I mean Norm Lewis is god awful average; if you can't do Ol Man River the right way then why bother? I love Vanessa but this time she's okay. It is nice to hear the seldom staged songs. (The staging is terrible too) Other than that I'm having fun

I could have watched The Bad Seed!! Rhoda!! What can I get for a basketful of kisses?

Updated On: 10/16/15 at 10:53 PM

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 10/16/15 at 10:56pm

I haven't started watching yet, but just FYI, it's already on pbs.org

[firebolts]

Posted: 10/16/15 at 10:59pm

I will be watching this later - apprehensive about the lukewarm reviews about the production, but hopefully I will enjoy it. I love Lauren Worsham and Norm. 

[TBone]

Posted: 10/16/15 at 11:04pm

I'm not crazy about this... at all. But I have to agree about Lauren Worsham - She's pretty great!!!!

Updated On: 10/16/15 at 11:04 PM

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 10/16/15 at 11:09pm

I like Norm Lewis, but not in this. He is not vocally right for Joe. Ol' Man River needs a voice that rings. I saw the '94 revival, the Washington National Opera (the SF Opera production), and what's currently airing on PBS.  No one will ever come close to Michel Bell's Joe in the '94 revival.  To me that particular production was perfect in my book.

Updated On: 10/16/15 at 11:09 PM