Smash Hit Broadway Musical SHOWBOAT
inspired by the
The James Adams Floating Theatre !
This was the one and only vessel visited by Edna
Ferber before writing her novel Show Boat. Edna Ferber's
novel went on to inspire the
Oscar Hammerstein II/Jerome Kern smash Broadway hit of the same name.
"Those four days," she wrote, "comprised the only show-boat experience I ever had . . . .
In 1927, Jerome Kern teamed with Oscar Hammerstein II and the two adapted Edna Ferber's novel into one of the greatest of all American musicals, Show Boat. Show Boat pioneered the concept of the fully integrated musical, with all aspects of the show working together toward a single artistic unity. Because of it's new style, Showboat is considered the first American Musical and changed American theatre forever.
As a part of the American repertory theatre movement of the early 20th century, the Floating Theatre was an important cultural resource for people in metropolitan, rural areas and small coastal towns. The James Adams Floating Theatre helped foster the artistic and economic development of many mid-Atlantic communities. It has ties to American Theatre, Repertory Theatre, Film, Literature, Maritime History, and Commerce.
The James Adams Floating Theatre was lost to history when it was destroyed by fire in 1941 while being towed to Savannah, GA to be refitted. We are comprised of concerned citizens working to return this lost national treasure to serving coastal communities.
Hurry and make your tax deductible donation and join us in rebuilding
the
"Original Showboat" to serve the eastern
mid-Atlantic area. Help us bring performing arts to the economic
development of these coastal communities.
