A true classic of American musical theater, this tale of life on the Mississippi from the 1880s to the 1920s is both a poignant love story and a powerful reminder of the bitter legacy of racism.

Director Francesca Zambello’s grand-scale production is “a triumph—a stylish, fast-paced and colorful show that had the capacity audience on its feet, cheering loud and long” (Chicago Classical Review). The magnificent Jerome Kern-Oscar Hammerstein II score, which includes such classic songs as “Ol’ Man River,” “Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man,” “Make Believe” and “You Are Love,” will sound glorious “under the authoritative baton of music-theater maestro John DeMain” (Chicago Tribune). “No one should miss it” (Chicago Sun-Times).

According to General Director David Gockley, “Show Boat will be done in grand opera fashion in the way the creators conceived. The Opera House is—I believe—the appropriate venue for these great classic musicals that require full-voiced, ‘legit’ singing.”

If you can’t stretch your dollar to fly abroad, then join us for the next best thing with these virtual opera house experiences.

Fresh from the stages of the world’s most renowned opera houses, including Italy’s La Scala and Austria’s Salzburg Festival, we’re proud to introduce state-of-the-art high definition presentations of current spectacular opera productions.