Show Boat receives a San Francisco Opera company premiere under the guidance of director Zambello (The Little Mermaid, The Trip to Bountiful) in a sweeping production previously mounted at the Houston Grand and Washington National Operas. Show Boat runs in rep with Verdi's La Traviata and Puccini's Madama Butterfly at the War Memorial Opera House through July 2.

Tony winner Irwin (Waiting for Godot, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf) leads the cast as owner Cap'n Andy Hawks, Tony winner Harris ("Frasier," Thoroughly Modern Millie) plays his wife Parthy Ann Hawks, Tony nominee Bolton plays Frank Schultz and Broadway veteran Kirsten Wyatt (Annie, Elf) is cast as Ellie Mae Chipley.

Supporting cast includes Sharon McNight as Mrs. O'Brien, Patricia Racette as Julie Verne, Heidi Stober as Magnolia Hawks, Michael Todd Simpson as Gaylord Ravenal, Angela Renee Simpson as Queenie and Morris Robinson as Joe. John DeMain leads the San Francisco Opera Orchestra and Chorus.

Show Boat features choreography by Michele Lynch, sets by Peter Davison, costumes by Paul Tazewell, lighting design by Mark McCullough and sound design by Tod Nixon. This San Francisco Opera co-production premiered at Lyric Opera of Chicago in February 2012 and has subsequently been produced at Houston Grand Opera and Washington National Opera; these performances reunite the original creative team.

Tickets are available at sfopera.com or at (415) 864-3330.