"After the Ball" by Rebecca Baxter

from 1989's "Showboat" at The Papermill Playhouse as aired on PBS' "Great Performances"

[@2CalaLilly]

In my opinion, Show Boat is the greatest musical of all time, not only for its brilliant score, but for its great story and brave treatment of racial injustice. It was far ahead of its time in 1927 when it was first performed.

[@clairedisapia]

Showboat is one of my favorite musicals and my favorite one is the 1951 version

[@waynebrasler]

Very much modeled on the 1936 film version with Irene Dunne of this scene. I cry every time I see it and I've seen it dozens of times. Magnolia's world has totally crumbled, her husband gone, no money, a child to rear and unaware a tragic lady she idolized as a girl has stepped in to save her or that her beloved father is right there with her. "After the Ball" was an old song when "Show Boat" was first staged on Broadway and it was an unusual decision to interpolate several traditional showboat songs into the score, this being one of them. By all accounts opening night of the original production stunned the audience, stunned the critics and opened a new door for American musicals. "Oklahoma" is often touted as the first American musical that told a story but indeed "Show Boat" was the first to do it, and with a story far more dramatic, brave and socially significant. "Oklahoma" pushed the musical form ahead in other ways, notably Agnes DeMille's stunning ballet.

[@krislamore5607]

Hello, how are you doing my friend?

[@SymphonyBrahms]

Oklahoma also told a dramatic, brave, and socially significant story. The character of Judd is looked down upon because he is poor, a hired hand, and looked upon as "white trash". He is the villain in the story, but he is a sad villain. Oklahoma also brought joy to a war weary America in 1943.

[@carolinevanaustin30]

Love this, remember being onstage for this scene at NBRep

[@sunnydayzie1202]

This is such a beautiful scene.....the love between Andy and nolie

[@carloshugogeib7961]

one of the best moments on musical stage. just love it

[@williampelto6095]

one of the most touching moments in the show.

[@bayonnetenor]

Paper Mill Playhouse really outdid themselves with this show.

[@sunnydayzie1202]

This has always been one of the most poignant and touching scenes in musical theater....for all the fancy stuff with all the snazzy special effects and gigantic sets on Broadway in the recent years; nothing can touch this.

[@pzippy7406]

thank you so much for this. I also taped this PBS Great Performance as a kid on VHS and watched it so many times. I haven't seen it in decades. An absolutely wonderful production. I would also buy the DVD in a heartbeat.

[@sopranosd]

So exited you posted this!! I had the privilege of being in this production. Becky was so beautiful in this role. Listen to that sweet voice. And Eddie Bracken was a wonderful person and set a great example of true professionalism. Now I'm getting all misty-eyed.

[@karinaleonard7823]

I grew up watching and re-watching this production (on my old VHS!), so much so that much of it is memorized to this day. So much about this production is magical, and this scene is special for so many reasons. I still think Rebecca Baxter's voice is one of the most beautiful I have ever heard and have styled many of my own performances after her. I also grew up waiting for the fellow who would be willing to sing "You are Love" with me and feel blessed these childhood 'friends' shaped me (completely unbeknownst to them). I am willing to confess to a mad crush on Richard White since I was a little girl and was thrilled to hear him as Gaston! Now my little girls share my crush as well. :)

[@sopranosd]

@@karinaleonard7823 Rebecca is as nice as she is beautiful.

[@elliesandy9108]

@@karinaleonard7823 Oh. Rebecca was beautiful and sang very well. And speaking of Richard White, I love him too. Last October I watched on KZbin a musical "Phantom" by Mr. Yeston and Mr. Kopit was played in 1993, he played the main character Erik. Oh Tenor and Baritone's vocals are so good, not only his looks, gestures, and acting are great. And after finishing that musical, he sat for an interview and I realized how beautiful he is because the whole musical is wearing a mask, and I also know that he is the voice of Gaston in B&TB. (1991). And Y/K's musical Phantom, the producer has taken his logo until now. And we can listen on KZbin and Spotify. I know he plays a lot of roles but I can only watch KZbin, no tape or meet him in real life. And on KZbin there's a musical series called "The New Moon (1989)" and he's starring as Robert Mission. Thank you for sharing ideas. Have a good day.

[@johntlew]

A very touching scene from an American classic!

[@artistphx]

Brings tears to my eyes

[@eemmeennddeell]

What makes this song so poignant at this time is the lyrics mimic what she is going through at this time. ("After The Ball".... "After Gaylord leaves her"). The scene always gets to me too. The song is both beautiful and sad.

[@EricMontreal22]

Thanks for posting this--been trying to find clips, or the full thing, for ages.

[@rudolforulloda3695]

Great musical production with a great cast, as well

[@5420lindley]

My God Eddie Bracken.... The greatest show ever

[@prigra0725]

Believe it or not, this piece was included in a ukulele book that I received as a present at age 8 (62 years ago). Among other pieces in the book: "When My Blue Moon Turns to Gold Again" and "You Are Always In My Heart." Kind of an interesting mix to give to an 8 year old, but I still remember most of the lyrics after all these years. I remember asking my father how to pronounce the word "rendezvous" and what it meant, from the lyrics to "You Are Always In My Heart."

[@joep8787]

Oddly, thought this song was featured in "Showboat", it wasn't written by Kern and Hammerstein. "After The Ball was a well known, turn of the century standard.

[@schwanny]

it plays on Main Street USA at Disney World and Disneyland!

[@Bobincal]

All of the staged numbers done in the Trocadero scene were vintage at the time Showboat was produced, included for 1890s authenticity. Not the first time Kern used numbers from other periods or by different composers in his shows.

[@jmer9126]

Showboat was intended to take the audience through several decades of music, dance and style. In a way it’s an historical musical

[@gnatx]

I can't thank you enough for posting this. I taped this off PBS when I was a kid and watched it so much, I wore out the tape! So, I probably haven't seen it in at least 15, if not 20, years. I still cried at this scene! I would buy this on DVD in a heartbeat.

[@johniovine1512]

nevfer saw this v ersion very nice

[@MiaHessMusic]

Charming!!

[@sopranosd]

Can you confide where you found this superior copy of the recording? I would love to be able to show my family something besides the blurry tape my parents made off the tv back in 1989. That tape is nearly worn out.

[@evanpuente727]

The one I know is from 1893 sung by Charles K. Harris

[@johnscanlon6977]

Ah this Lady...sings like a Trust.. evevtually All hears her natural beauty! Oh Lord..who can achieve High C..?? Like this .. song so loved by ny Granparents,Parents & I..Beaurty & voice does not change...& Barbara made voicalatral brillance with ease,with this enduring beautyful song " After the ball,is over"..! Most lovely! Tears fall..as I reemmber..such nicer days & this true great music handed on ..to be as is loved & respected & minded..Showboat..perperhaos one of the most beautyful musical light stage shows of the 20th cent!!!..but this song..truely pulls in Harp strings as the Lady Barbara commads..all notes with such voical ease..what pleasure She created!..in Respect.John Co Tipperary,Ireland

[@shanedeleon5376]

Where did you find such a good quality print?

[@schwanny]

Hey there! I tried to send you a private message, but I couldn't find your contact info on your home page. Drop me a line on here (through my profile).

[@shanedeleon5376]

email me at [e-mail]

[@lucindalangley6663]

I'd like to know too. I've been looking for the version of Showboat I grew up on but could never find it till tonight. I'm so glad to see it. What a wonderful, clear copy you have. I need to find and buy this myself. I want a hard copy, DVD if possible. So many feels seeing it again after so long!

[@DolphinXD_1]

1893

[@richardmcmahon7466]

Singers are subjective, listen to Von Stade sing the same song, and then compare. I know comparasions are odious.I rate Von Stade as being the best.

[@garymazzeo3490]

After hearing Kathryn Grayson and Irene Dunne version of this number you can't get use to anyone else singing it.

[@unclealand]

I sure have no trouble with it in the least.

[@williamkenny8730]

bhi se sin h-iontach

[@JohnVondruska-ed4tf]

Good singer, but sometimes rude audience.

[@Rajnoma]

I certainly agree that Showboat was ahead of its time in its depiction of racial relations and woke up the American public to the disparities of its racial divide, and doing so in a most entertaining way . The music is beautiful and is an American classic to be cherished.