Gunn, Shafer Head Cast of Carnegie Hall's 'Show Boat'

Nathan Gunn, Celena Shafer and Carolee Carmello will head the cast of Carnegie Hall's June 10 concert presentation of ''Show Boat,'' the landmark Oscar Hammerstein II-Jerome Kern musical.

Gunn will portray the dashing riverboat gambler Gaylord Ravenal in the production, which will feature the Orchestra of St. Luke's under the direction of Broadway conductor Paul Gemignani. Shafer will play sweet-tempered Magnolia Hawks and Carmello the tragic Julie LaVerne, who sings ''Bill'' and ''Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man.''

''Show Boat,'' first seen on Broadway in 1927, changed the face of the American musical. Based on Edna Ferber's sprawling novel, it ushered in a new era of theater that bridged the gap between European operetta and the frothy, silly musical shows of the 1920s.

Probably its best known song is ''Ol' Man River,'' sung by the stevedore Joe. He will be played at Carnegie Hall by Alvy Powell. The show's other hits include ''Make Believe,'' ''You Are Love'' and ''Why Do I Love You?''

Also in the Carnegie cast are Jonathan Hadary as Cap'n Andy; Becky Ann Baker as his wife, Parthy Ann Hawks; Gavin Lee as song-and-dance man Frank Schultz; Megan Sikora as Ellie May Chipley; Alteouise deVaughn as Queenie; and Carly Rose Sonenclar as Kim.

The director is Francesa Zambello.

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