Showboat Majestic

Come aboard the Showboat Majestic as she celebrates the 91st season in her legendary career! The summer will feature musicals and comedies to please every patron - aboard America's last showboat - a genuine National Historic Landmark! The 2013 season line-up features: nostalgic pop hits of the 1950's, a clean-freak and a slob, Huck Finn, the mighty Mississippi and the Great Ohio River, an American embassy and one original season closer. Come join us for a great summer on the River!

We open May 15, 2013

Forever Plaid May 15 - June 2, 2013

The Odd Couple June 12 - June 30, 2013

Big River July 10 - July 28, 2013

Don't Drink the Water August 7 - August 25, 2013

Showboat Follies September 11 - 29, 2013

History

In 1923, Tom Reynolds' new Showboat Majestic slid into the water near Pittsburgh. This started the Majestic on a career that carried her over the Ohio River and it's tributaries for the next 20 years. The Reynolds family lived, played and performed on the "Boat" until World War II, when it was tied up at Henderson, West Virginia for three long years.

In 1945, Hiram College and Kent State University leased the Majestic from the Reynolds family as a summer theatre experience for students. This academic alliance revived the concept of Showboatin' and tramped the "Inland Waterway" once again. In 1960, Indiana University took over and maintained the tradition.

While there are newer boats on the Ohio today, the Majestic was the last of the purpose-built "floating operas", the last to make one-night stands, the last to actively travel, the longest-lived under one owner and home of the largest family - the eleven Reynolds children - ever reared on a showboat.

With the burning of the original Goldenrod Showboat in St. Louis, MO., on June 1, 1962, the Showboat Majestic became the last survivor of the singularly American tradition of floating theatres. On December 20th 1989, the Showboat Majestic became an official National Historical Landmark (#89002456).

Explore Related Categories