The 2011 fall production of the Music and Drama Club (MAD) at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center—the Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein musical "Show Boat," directed by Mary Lou Fisher—almost didn’t make it to the stage.
A controversy about the lyrics and plot nearly derailed the production. Gerry Daelemans, the show’s sales manager, explained that NASA Goddard’s EEO office received complaints around the end of August, after a casting call specifically seeking African American actors went out over company-wide email.
The office investigated and NASA Goddard senior management initially determined to cancel the production, according to Daelemans—but later reversed the decision, after meeting with representatives from the EEO office and MAD. The production was allowed to continue, but had to educate the community about the historical context. In addition, the program includes an insert, locating the show within the larger context of American race relations. Daelemans also delivers a brief introduction before the curtain rises.
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But the show delivers something more than controversy—and that is entertainment! Despite some rough edges (the backstage chorus and some actors were difficult to hear, and newspaper headlines signifying time’s passage couldn’t be read beyond the first row) many of the actors transcended these issues and the script’s limitations.
Kevin Buter, as Cap’n Andy Hawks, performs an amazing bit of physical comedy when he reenacts “The Parson’s Bride.” His daughter, Lauren Buter, as Julie LaVerne delivers spirited and heartfelt performances of “Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man” and “Bill.” The script—and the original Edna Ferber novel—inexplicably drop her compelling storyline and leave the audience ignorant of her fate.
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The young couple, Magnolia Hawks (Julie Ann Rivera Perez) and Gaylord Ravenal (John Scheeler), are charmingly believable, and their duets are a delight. Perez exhibits the poise and presence that make her rise to stardom in Act II utterly believable.
Catherine Asaro, lead dancer, performs inspired dances and choreographed a lively cancan for the comedic duo Schultz (Matt Baker) and Schultz (Laura Anne Fisher). Dory Gean Cunningham deftly costumed a large cast in a story that spanned forty years — with costume help from Rosalie Daelemans, Lelia Zanner and Mary Collins.
MAD’s website delivers information about dates and ticket prices. Tickets include a festive dinner—ham, chicken, vegetarian lasagna, side dishes, and three kinds of pie—but MAD also offers after-dinner tickets.
Clarification: This story has been updated to include additional names for the costume team.