Show Boat is a musical in two acts, which was adapted from a gritty, best-selling novel by Edna Ferber. This musical touches on the complex topic of race relations in America as it follows the lives of the performers, stagehands and dock workers in a Mississippi River show boat in the late 19th and early 20th century. The musical was particularly significant due to its uncommon pairing of music with serious discussions of social issues. It is also remembered due to songs such as "Ol' Man River", "Make Believe", and "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man".
