| In this article we're going to cover one of the oldest | | | | that it's hard to pick out which pair was best. More |
| and longest running musicals in history, the one and | | | | on the various versions of this play later.Then of |
| only Showboat.Showboat first came to the stage in | | | | course there is "Can't Help Lovin Dat Man" which was |
| 1927, almost 80 years ago as of this writing. It was | | | | sung by the highly visible African American couple. |
| actually quite ahead of its time in many respects. For | | | | This is the kind of song that just makes one smile |
| one thing, it featured African American performers in | | | | from ear to ear. In spite of the fact that her |
| predominant roles. It also included as part of the | | | | husband is a lazy so and so and pretty much drives |
| story a mixed marriage, which in those days was | | | | her crazy, she just can't help but love him.But of |
| unheard of. Yes, Showboat was certainly ground | | | | course the highlight of the play, and probably one of |
| breaking.There were actually several stories going on | | | | the greatest songs of all time, is "Ol' Man River" |
| at the same time in the musical, very similar to one | | | | which is sung by the black man of the couple. This |
| of today's soap operas. There was, of course, the | | | | song so perfectly depicts the struggles of the black |
| actual operation of the Showboat itself and the | | | | man in society and the hard life that he leads.There |
| struggles it faced along the way. There was the | | | | are many debates as to who was the best singer of |
| story of the mixed race couple and the odds that | | | | this song, whether it was Paul Robeson or William |
| they had to fight against. There was the daughter of | | | | Warfield, which brings us to the number of renditions |
| the showboat owner who wanted a career but also | | | | of this play.While it first came into existence in 1927, |
| wanted to find true love. Instead she meets a man | | | | written by Jerome Kern, it was later made into not |
| who betrays her and runs off leaving her with a | | | | one but three screen adaptations in 1929, 1936 and |
| baby to take care of all by herself. The sub stories | | | | finally in 1951. Many critics feel that the 1951 |
| go on and on.As tragic as the stories in showboat | | | | adaptation with Howard Keel, Ava Garner, Kathryn |
| were, that's how beautiful the music was. Some of | | | | Grayson and William Warfield was the greatest one |
| the greatest songs of all time could be heard in this | | | | of all.Regardless of which one you may personally |
| production. The list of great songs is pretty long but | | | | prefer, Showboat was without a doubt one of the |
| there are a few highlights.For starters the is the | | | | most heartbreaking and musically beautiful creations |
| great duet between the daughter and her soon to | | | | of all time. Whatever version you decide to see, at |
| be snake of a husband. The song of course is "Make | | | | least see one of them. You won't ever forget this |
| Believe." This song pretty much sets the tone for the | | | | one. |
| rest of the play, which has had so many renditions | | | | |