ABSTRACT
A strong piece of evidence of the score underlining overall narrative is “Ol’ Man River,” the aria sung by the Black stevedore Joe about the merciless force of the Mississippi River. The significance lies in the metaphor where the force of the river represents the inevitable fate of Show Boat’s characters—it “just keeps rollin’ along.”Show Boat was unique in its serious exploration of addiction, individual obligation, and racial discrimination. The overall response to Show Boat’s revisions has been less than enthusiastic because the controversial underlying discussions of racial inequality and miscegenation are nearly impossible to write out of the show. While Show Boat’s construction has had a monstrous impact on American musical theatre, its greater legacy might be the impact it has made on the American psyche.
