David Herskovits's adaptation of 'Show Boat' at the Under the Radar festival challenges traditional musicals by stripping down the lushness of Kern and Hammerstein's work. Known for his experimental style, Herskovits emphasizes the narrative's complexity while offering minimal staging to force audiences to confront their understanding of the plot. The production embodies an almost bare-bones aesthetic that invites reflection on the material and the relationship between the performers and the audience, reaffirming the work's legacy as a groundbreaking piece of American theater.
When Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II first adapted Edna Ferber's epic novel 'Show Boat' for the stage, they sought to create a revolutionary American musical.
Herskovits's adaptation of 'Show Boat' is largely faithful to the original yet embraces an aesthetic that strips away the lushness for a bare, experimental approach.
His directional style includes unconventional casting choices, often placing two actors in the same role, complicating the audience's understanding of the narrative.
The production challenges viewers to engage prior knowledge of the plot, offering minimal cues which demand active participation and interpretation.
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