Zambello Directs Carmello In Carnegie Hall SHOW BOAT Concert

Initial casting has been announced for the upcoming concert staging of Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II's Show Boat at Carnegie Hall.

Directed by The Little Mermaid's Francesca Zambello, the June 10 benefit for Carnegie Hall will boast the talents of Jessica Bogart (Ellie May Chipley), Carolee Carmello (Julie LaVerne), Nathan Gunn (Gaylord Ravenal), Marilyn Horne (Old Lady on the Levee), Gavin Lee (Frank Schultz), Alvy Powell (Joe) and Celena Shafer (Magnolia Hawks); show time is 8 PM. Additional casting will be announced at a later date.

Musical director Paul Gemignani will conduct the Orchestra of St. Luke's. The creative team will also feature Robert Longbottom (musical staging), Doug Wright (concert adaptation), lighting designer Alan Adelman, scenic designer Scott Pask and costume designer Gregg Barnes with sound design by Acme Sound Partners.
Bogart, Carmello, Gunn, Horne and Lee to Star in Carnegie Hall Show Boat Concert

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Well, we hopefully expect the some of the finest renditions of "Can't Help Lovin' 'Dat Man o' Mine" and "Bill" from this concert.

Who knows, maybe Zambello will THRIVE on the heavily dramatic plot.

Updated On: 2/11/08 at 01:08 PM

Carolee will be a stunning Julie. Her "Bill" will bring down the house.

dear god

Love the sly alliteration, WannaBe.

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Why would anyone hire Zambello after the mess she and her crew have made of Little Mermaid !

Preach it, Foster. The thought of Carolee as Rose gives me chills.

For some reason, even though Carolee is playing a character the same age as Rose, she just doesn't seem old enough to play her. In 5-10 years, she'd be phenomenal.

I wish I had known about auditions for this production of Showboat...

Zambello actually already directed a very well-received "Showboat" in London two years ago at the Royal Albert Hall. It apparently featured a cast of 67, the London Philharmonic and was performed (the Hal Prince version) in the round. Clearly, that won't be done at Carnegie Hall - but she certainly knows her way around the piece and has a talented cast at her disposal. Now, if she can figure out a dramaturgicaly correct reason for Gaylord (Nathan Gunn) to appear shirtless - it will be a success fer reals! :)

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Me too, Dottie.

I wonder who will play Cap'n Andy and Parthy? (I'd love to see Anita Gillette tackle it again! She looked and sounded fabulous the last time I saw her.)

Does anyone else find the casting a little uninspired? Although I know historically speaking Julie has always been played by white women (save for the last revival of course), but in this day and age she really should be played by a black woman. And Gavin Lee really doesn't seem like a good fit for Frank. Just because he dances doesn't mean he'd be good in that role.

Although I know historically speaking Julie has always been played by white women (save for the last revival of course), but in this day and age she really should be played by a black woman.

WHAT? Umm..isn't one of the plot points that Julie is a white womna but of mixed blood. That is why she is forced to leave the Cotton Palace.

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WOW....
That set is amazing!