Show Boat

Captain Andy (baritone Ross Lehman, debut) and his wife Parthy (mezzo-soprano Cindy Gold, debut), has a fine life on the show boat her parents operate, thanks to the affection of her friends ? the stevedore Joe (bass Morris Robinson, debut), the cook Queenie (soprano Angela Ren?e Simpson, debut), the acting company?s leading lady, Julie La Verne (soprano Alyson Cambridge) and supporting cast members Ellie (soprano Erica Mac, debut) and Frank (baritone Bernie Yvon)

Soprano Ashley Brown, who originated the title role of the musical Mary Poppins on Broadway in 2006, will debut at Lyric Opera of Chicago as Magnolia Hawks in the company premiere of the classic American musical, Show Boat, Lyric?s general director William Mason announced today.

Brown, who received Outer Critics Circle, Drama League, and Drama Desk nominations for best actress for Mary Poppins, also portrayed the airborne English nanny throughout the U. S. (including performances at Chicago?s Cadillac Theatre in 2009). She recently completed that tour in Los Angeles, where she earned a 2010 Garland Award for ?Best Performance in a Musical.? Brown is now back on Broadway in her signature role through mid-July. She has also portrayed the leading role of Belle in Beauty and the Beast on Broadway and starred in the national tour of Disney?s On the Record jukebox musical.