J.D. Webster News

View members of the cast at yesterday's Barnes & Noble cast recording performance and signing below! (more...)

PS Classics will release the New Broadway Cast Recording of THE GERSHWINS' PORGY AND BESS, currently available for pre-order, on May 22. Additionally they are offering a first listen of some of the tracks on their website. Click here to check them out! The full track list is as follows: (more...)

The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess is now on Broadway with a cast led by four-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald (Ragtime, "Private Practice") as Bess, Drama Desk nominee Norm Lewis (Les Misérables, Sondheim on Sondheim) as Porgy and two-time Tony nominee David Alan Grier (Race, "In Living Color") as Sporting Life. In the video below, the audience got a special surprise when the cast welcomed a couple onstage for a heartwarming marriage propsal. Click below to check it out! (more...)

The revised book of The Gershwin's Porgy and Bess has been the subject of much discussion since it's debut at A.R.T. last August, and according to Patrick Healy of the New York Times, there is still debate over its Tony eligibility. Last week, when the Tony administration committee made a decision regarding David Alan Grier's eligibility as a featured actor, they 'took no action' with the musical's updated book (by Suzan-Lori Parks and Diedre Murray), thus making it ineligible for a 'Best Book' Tony Award. (more...)

Nikki Renée Daniels, who is currently starring as Clara in The Gershwins’ PORGY AND BESS, will release her debut solo recording today, March 27, 2012. Entitled "Home," the recording will be available on cdbaby.com and iTunes. The CD features an eclectic mix of gospel, pop and Broadway favorites. For more information and to hear song samples visit www.nikkireneedaniels.com. (more...)

A long-standing opening night tradition on the Great White Way, the fabled Gypsy Robe is bestowed upon a veteran Broadway chorus member for each opening production. In what has now become a theatrical ritual, originating on Broadway 60 years ago, the latest recipient was JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR cast member Mark Cassius. (more...)

Producers of The Gershwins’ PORGY AND BESS have just announced plans for a national tour of the critically-acclaimed Broadway revival, set to launch in the Fall of 2013. (more...)

The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess is now on Broadway with a cast led by four-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald (Ragtime, "Private Practice") as Bess, Drama Desk nominee Norm Lewis (Les Misérables, Sondheim on Sondheim) as Porgy and two-time Tony nominee David Alan Grier (Race, "In Living Color") as Sporting Life. Last night, McDonald was a guest on The Colbert Report on Comedy Central. The four-time Tony Award-winner chatted with Stephen Colbert about her return to Broadway and performed 'Summertime.' Click below to check it out! (more...)

The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess is now on Broadway with a cast led by four-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald (Ragtime, "Private Practice") as Bess, Drama Desk nominee Norm Lewis (Les Misérables, Sondheim on Sondheim) as Porgy and two-time Tony nominee David Alan Grier (Race, "In Living Color") as Sporting Life. McDonlad will be a guest on The Colbert Report tonight at 11:30pm EST on Comedy Central. The four-time Tony Award-winner will chat with Stephen Colbert about her return to Broadway in The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess nd perform a number from the show. (more...)

The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess is now on Broadway with a cast led by four-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald (Ragtime, "Private Practice") as Bess, Drama Desk nominee Norm Lewis (Les Misérables, Sondheim on Sondheim) as Porgy and two-time Tony nominee David Alan Grier (Race, "In Living Color") as Sporting Life. McDonlad and Lewis will appear on 'The Rosie Show' tomorrow March 2, and BroadwayWorld brings you previews of their performances of 'Summertime,' 'I Got PLenty O' Nuttin,' and 'I Loves You, Porgy' below! Check your local listings to tune in live! (more...)

ps classics today announced that they will be presenting the New Broadway Cast Recording of THE GERSHWINS' PORGY AND BESS, to be released May 8. The recording will take place on March 12 and 13. (more...)

On Tuesday, February 21st, Givenik.com, the revolutionary way to go to Broadway, will partner with the critically acclaimed Broadway production of The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess for a special post-performance reception for audience and cast members at B. Smith’s (320 West 46th Street) to support Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Purchase any ticket through Givenik.com to the Tuesday, February 21st performance and send your confirmation number to RSVP@givenik.com to be invited to a special post-show cast party at B. Smith's, supporting Broadway Cares! And be sure to remember BC/EFA when choosing who receives your 5% donation. (more...)

Tony Nominee and Drama Desk Award winner Joshua Henry (The Scottsboro Boys, American Idiot), who is currently starring as Jake in the production of The Gershwins’ PORGY AND BESS, will give a solo concert performance at The Triad Theater (158 west 72nd Street) at 9:30pm on February 20, 2012. (more...)

The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess is now on Broadway with a cast led by four-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald (Ragtime, “Private Practice”) as Bess, Drama Desk nominee Norm Lewis (Les Misérables, Sondheim on Sondheim) as Porgy and two-time Tony nominee David Alan Grier (Race, “In Living Color”) as Sporting Life. The New York Times has just revealed that the production will extend its run through September 30, 2012, due to both critical and box office success. The production was originally scheduled to close on July 8, 2012. The news was released by producers, who have emailed groups sales reps informing them of the extension. (more...)

Tony Nominee and Drama Desk Award winner Joshua Henry (The Scottsboro Boys, American Idiot), who is currently starring as Jake in the production of The Gershwins’ PORGY AND BESS, will give a solo concert performance at The Triad Theater (158 west 72nd Street) at 9:30pm on February 20, 2012. (more...)

On Tuesday, February 21st, Givenik.com, the revolutionary way to go to Broadway, will partner with the critically acclaimed Broadway production of The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess for a special post-performance reception for audience and cast members at B. Smith’s (320 West 46th Street) to support Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Purchase any ticket through Givenik.com to the Tuesday, February 21st performance and send your confirmation number to RSVP@givenik.com to be invited to a special post-show cast party at B. Smith's, supporting Broadway Cares! And be sure to remember BC/EFA when choosing who receives your 5% donation. (more...)

Whether you've been living under a rock for the past week, or you're just in the mood for a recap of everything theatre, BroadwayWorld's feature, 'This Week in Pictures' is here to satisfy your end of the week fix. Take a look below to catch up on the latest happenings from the Great White Way to the West End (and everywhere in between) with coverage of press events, rehearsals, opening nights and more! For last week's biggest events: visit THIS WEEK IN PICTURES: January 7-13. (more...)

The Gershwins' PORGY AND BESS officially opened on Thursday, January 12th, 2012 at the Richard Rodgers Theatre. The cast led by four-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald (Ragtime, "Private Practice") as Bess, Drama Desk nominee Norm Lewis (Les Misérables, Sondheim on Sondheim) as Porgy and two-time Tony nominee David Alan Grier (Race, "In Living Color") as Sporting Life. Today, McDonald and Lewis appeared on The View to promote the show and BroadwayWorld brings you their performance of "Bess, You Is My Woman Now" below! (more...)

The Gershwins' PORGY AND BESS officially opened on Thursday, January 12th, 2012 at the Richard Rodgers Theatre (226 West 46th Street). The cast led by four-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald (Ragtime, "Private Practice") as Bess, Drama Desk nominee Norm Lewis (Les Misérables, Sondheim on Sondheim) as Porgy and two-time Tony nominee David Alan Grier (Race, "In Living Color") as Sporting Life. The cast also includes Phillip Boykin as Crown, Nikki Renée Daniels as Clara, Joshua Henry as Jake, Christopher Innvar as Detective, Bryonha Marie Parham as Serena and NaTasha Yvette Williams as Mariah, as well as Sumayya Ali, Allison Blackwell, Roosevelt André Credit, Trevon Davis, Joseph Dellger, Wilkie Ferguson, Carmen Ruby Floyd, Gavin Gregory, Heather Hill, David Hughey, Andrea Jones-Sojola, Alicia Hall Moran, Cedric Neal, Phumzile Sojola, Nathaniel Stampley, Julius Thomas III, J.D. Webster and Lisa Nicole Wilkerson. Check out the just-released promo for the show below! (more...)

On Thursday, January 12, The Gershwin's Porgy and Bess opened at the Richard Rodgers Theatre. Broadway Beat was on hand for exciting opening night party to chat with the cast and company and takes you inside below! (more...)