STAGE DOOR MAGAZINE,Director Jesse Kline has assembled a first-rate cast and his direction allows the cast to shine. “Philip Boykin’s portrayal of Joe is downright stunning.” When he opens up his mouth to sing the classic tune “Old Man River,” the audience immediately senses that it is in for something special. “The ovation that follows is deafening.” It is hard to imagine that this role could be done any better by anybody.

Joe, of course, has the most famous number from “Show Boat”, “Ol’ Man River”.  It is worth the price of admission to hear Philip Boykin sing it. Luckily, he sings it several times. With a full bass voice, and not one gravelly bottom note, Boykin exudes all the sweat and strain Joe sings about while also conveying as an actor Joe’s choice to roll along just like the Mississippi River the song hails.

Media’s ‘Show Boat’ is mighty see-worthy (By Howard Shapiro)Inquirer Theater Critic

“At Media, the expressive Phillip Boykin makes the song his own passionate declaration,”

Theatre Review – By Ben Ryland & Phillip Boykin, new to the show, has a powerful singing voice surely touched by God and is the best actor on the stage in an ensemble where there are no weak performances.

By Nelson Pressley

Mary Millben, Kara-Tameika Watkins, Marva Hicks, Zurin Villanueva, E. Faye Butler, NaTasha Yvette Williams and Phillip Boykin — can be counted on to make the most of each rising vocal line and glorious chorus.