Show Boat, one of the most successful musicals of the 20th century, will dock at Eisenhower Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

Based on the novel by Edna Ferber, Show Boat focuses on racial prejudices and unhappy marriages spanning the post-Reconstruction era up to the 1920s.

The musical was the product of the creative partnership of musical theater legends Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II.

Show Boat debuted in 1927 and has been successfully revived several times — most notably Hal Prince's 1994 version, which earned four Tony Awards.

"It's really a lavish production. It really captures the time period with an actual show boat paddling on stage," said Peter Wray, press and public relations manager of the Center for the Performing Arts.

The musical takes place aboard the paddleboat Cotton Blossom, and deals with life on the Mississippi River following the Civil War. Specifically, the plot revolves around the life of Magnolia Hawks, daughter of the boat's captain and owner, Andy Hawks.

The story starts to unfold when young Magnolia becomes involved with Gaylord Ravenal, a troubled riverboat gambler/actor. The two fall in love while acting on the show boat, then marry and move to Chicago.

Tragedy enters the plot line when Ravenal loses all of their money and the couple separates.

A racial subplot is also highlighted throughout the musical when Julie LaVerne, an actress friend of Magnolia's, is persecuted because of her mixed race.

Show Boat features timeless songs such as "Ol' Man River," "Make Believe" and "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man."

Ticket prices are the lowest they've been in 10 years with the help of UPAC. Penn State students only pay $20 for tickets whereas the general price of admission is $35.

Tickets are still available for the show.