Author Description

The result of nearly two decades of collecting material on the masterpiece of musical theatre that Oscar Hammerstein II and Jerome Kern made from Edna Ferber's 1926 novel. Since Florenz Ziegfeld's production opened on Broadway in December 1927, "Show Boat" has been revived over and over, including three film versions, a recent TV adaptation, and the acclaimed 1988 recording featuring Frederica von Stade and Teresa Stratas. Kreuger tells a number of stories about the making of "Show Boat", such as Ferber's friendship with an acting couple who gave shows on their boat. He also talks about the stage production and its stars, including Paul Robeson, and how, in Broadway revivals and in films over the decades, "Show Boat" has remained one of the landmarks of the American musical stage.