Neil Stevenson's and Mark Forer's comments regarding "Show Boat"
were much appreciated on this end.  I cannot help but second Neil's
comments about the 1988 EMI recording of "Show Boat".  Conducted and
directed by John McGlinn.  It is one of my favorite recordings of
all time.  The 3-CD set and comes with a wonderful booklet that includes
not only a lot of history, but the libretto as well.  Several songs
that have been in and out of the show, including "Dance The Night
Away", are a part of the 3rd disc.

When the show opened at the National Theatre in Washington, D.C., on
Tuesday, November 15, 1927, it ran for 4 hours and 10 minutes.  In a
welcoming speech to the first-nighters, Charles Winninger explained
that every scene rehearsed would be performed that evening with cuts
to be made in accord with the audience's response.  Amazon.com still
has this recording for sale.  It is a must-have for those of you who
like this type of music.  Many thanks go to Edna Ferber, Jerome Kern,
and Oscar Hammerstein.

Bobby Clark