FEATURED ARTICLES ABOUT PORGY & BESS

PORGY AND BESS to Host Post-Show Benefit for Broadway Cares, 2/21

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...)

PORGY AND BESS Celebrates Black History Month at Apollo Theatre

George Gershwin's 'American folk opera,' Porgy and Bess, premiered in New York City in the fall of 1935, one year after the opening of The Apollo Theater. Both the play, and the theater, became icons within African-American culture. So it's only fitting, and perhaps overdue, that they would eventually join forces. (more...)

STAGE TUBE: New Promo Released for PORGY & BESS!

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...)

PORGY AND BESS Announces Student Rush Policy

Producers of The Gershwins' PORGY AND BESS, which officially opened on Thursday, January 12th, 2012 at the Richard Rodgers Theatre (226 West 46th Street), have announced a student rush policy for the critically-acclaimed Broadway revival. (more...)

BWW TV: Inside Opening Night of PORGY & BESS with Audra McDonald, Norm Lewis & 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...)

Photo Coverage: Inside the PORGY & BESS Gypsy Robe Ceremony!

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 receipient was THE GERSHWINS' PORGY AND BESS cast member J.D. Webster at the Richard Rogers Theatre in New York City. (more...)

Photo Coverage: PORGY & BESS Opening Night Curtain Call!

Check out photos below of Audra McDonald, Norm Lewis, David Alan Grier & company lighting up the stage during the show's opening night curtain call celebration on Thursday, January 12! (more...)

Photo Coverage: THE GERSHWIN'S PORGY & BESS Celebrates Opening Night on Broadway!

Last night, January 12, The Gershwin's Porgy and Bess starring Audra McDonald, Norm Lewis and David Alan Grier, opened at the Richard Rodger's Theatre on Broadway. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the celebratory after party at the McKittrick Hotel and brings you photo coverage below! (more...)

Photo Coverage: THE GERSHWIN's PORGY & BESS Opening Night Theatre Arrivals

Last night, January 12, The Gershwin's Porgy and Bess starring Audra McDonald, Norm Lewis and David Alan Grier, opened at the Richard Rodger's Theatre on Broadway. Check out the starry theatre arrivals below! (more...)

Review Roundup: The Gershwin's PORGY & BESS on Broadway - All the Reviews!

The Gershwins' PORGY AND BESS opened tonight, Thursday, January 12th, 2012 at the Richard Rodgers Theatre starring Audra McDonald as Bess, Norm Lewis as Porgy and David Alan Grier as Sporting Life. Let's see what the critics had to say! (more...)

BWW TV: PORGY & BESS on Broadway - Complete & Thrilling Show Preview!

'Wow' is all that we could say after watching this thrilling show preview for The Gershwins' PORGY AND BESS on Broadway! Check out the footage below of Audra McDonald, Norm Lewis, David Alan Grier & company lighting up the stage in this new production which opens on Thursday, January 12! (more...)

BWW TV: First Look at PORGY & BESS on Broadway - Montage!

We'll have a complete BWW TV preview up later, but we couldn't resist bringing you a sneak peek at a production montage for The Gershwins' PORGY AND BESS on Broadway! The show opens on Thursday, January 12th, 2012 at the Richard Rodgers Theatre starring Audra McDonald as Bess, Norm Lewis as Porgy and David Alan Grier as Sporting Life. (more...)

Photo Flash: First Look at PORGY & BESS on Broadway!

The Gershwins' PORGY AND BESS opens on Thursday, January 12th, 2012 at the Richard Rodgers Theatre starring Audra McDonald as Bess, Norm Lewis as Porgy and David Alan Grier as Sporting Life. Production shots have just been released and below we bring you a first look! (more...)

STAGE TUBE: Audra McDonald on Becoming Bess

The Gershwins' PORGY AND BESS opens on Thursday, January 12th, 2012 at the Richard Rodgers Theatre (226 West 46th Street, between 8th Avenue and Broadway). Tickets are now on sale at Ticketmaster.com or by calling 877-250-2929. In the video below, leading lady Audra McDonald chats about what it's like to take on the iconic character. (more...)

PORGY & BESS Begins Previews Tonight on Broadway

The Gershwins' PORGY AND BESS begins previews tonight and opens on Thursday, January 12th, 2012 at the Richard Rodgers Theatre (226 West 46th Street, between 8th Avenue and Broadway). Tickets are now on sale at Ticketmaster.com or by calling 877-250-2929. (more...)

BWW TV: Meet the Cast and Creative Team of PORGY & BESS!

The Gershwins' PORGY AND BESS comes to Broadway in a stirring new staging, featuring such legendary songs as 'Summertime,' 'It Ain't Necessarily So,' and 'I Got Plenty Of Nothing,' plus a remarkable cast led by four-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald (Ragtime, 'Private Practice'), Drama Desk nominee Norm Lewis (Les Misérables, Sondheim on Sondheim) and two-time Tony nominee David Alan Grier (Race, 'In Living Color'). (more...)

Photo Coverage: In Rehearsal with PORGY & BESS

The Gershwins' PORGY AND BESS comes to Broadway in a stirring new staging, featuring such legendary songs as 'Summertime,' 'It Ain't Necessarily So,' and 'I Got Plenty Of Nothing,' plus a remarkable cast led by four-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald (Ragtime, 'Private Practice'), Drama Desk nominee Norm Lewis (Les Misérables, Sondheim on Sondheim) and two-time Tony nominee David Alan Grier (Race, 'In Living Color'). (more...)

Photo Coverage: PORGY AND BESS Meets the Press!

The Gershwins' PORGY AND BESS comes to Broadway in a stirring new staging, featuring such legendary songs as 'Summertime,' 'It Ain't Necessarily So,' and 'I Got Plenty Of Nothing,' plus a remarkable cast led by four-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald (Ragtime, 'Private Practice'), Drama Desk nominee Norm Lewis (Les Misérables, Sondheim on Sondheim) and two-time Tony nominee David Alan Grier (Race, 'In Living Color'). Yesterday, the company met the press and treated the crowd to a performance preview. BroadwayWorld was there and brings you full photo coverage of the festivities below! (more...)

BWW TV: First Look at PORGY AND BESS - Performance Preview!

The Gershwins' PORGY AND BESS comes to Broadway in a stirring new staging, featuring such legendary songs as "Summertime," "It Ain't Necessarily So," and "I Got Plenty Of Nothing," plus a remarkable cast led by four-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald (Ragtime, "Private Practice"), Drama Desk nominee Norm Lewis (Les Miserables, Sondheim on Sondheim) and two-time Tony nominee David Alan Grier (Race, "In Living Color"). Today, the company met the press and treated the crowd to a performance preview. BroadwayWorld was there and brings you a first look at the performances below! (more...)

Full Cast Announced for PORGY & BESS on Broadway; Previews Begin December 17

The producers of The Gershwins' PORGY AND BESS have just announced the complete cast of the show, which begin previews on Saturday, December 17th, 2011 and opens on Thursday, January 12th, 2012 at the Richard Rodgers Theatre (226 West 46th Street, between 8th Avenue and Broadway). Tickets are now on sale at Ticketmaster.com or by calling 877-250-2929. (more...)

STAGE TUBE: Audra McDonald, Diane Paulus, et al. on PORGY & BESS Revisions

In the video below, members of the cast and creative team of Broadway-bound PORGY AND BESS discuss with PBS the changes made by director Diane Paulus and book-writer Suzan-Lori Parks. They address the history of the opera and that though some people have always viewed this show as racist, Audra McDonald (Bess) adamently shares why that is exaclty what the show is not. Both Diane Paulus and Suzan-Lori Parks talk about the controversy that has surrounded this revamped musical. They reveal why this is an acceptable version of the show, even for purists and die-hard Gershwin fans. Click below to chck it out! (more...)

PORGY & BESS to Drop 'New Final Scene' on Broadway

Back in August, a controversy arose from a New York Yimes article that explained director Diane Paulus' new vision for the ART production, and soon to be Broadway transfer, of THE GERSHWINS' PORGY AND BESS. Specifically in reponse to Paulus' new 'final scene,' which gave the musical a more upbeat ending, theatre legend Stephen Sondheim wrote a memorable letter to the NYT about his thuoghts on the re-interpretation. (more...)

Photo Flash: New Marquee for PORGY & BESS

THE GERSHWINS' PORGY AND BESS, which played a record-breaking, sold out engagement at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, will play a 26-week limited run at the Richard Rodgers Theatre (226 West 46th Street, between 8th Avenue and Broadway). The new marquee is now up at the theatre - check it out below! (more...)

Photo Flash: First Look at PORGY AND BESS Broadway Artwork!

It was announced last week that the Broadway-bound production of THE GERSHWINS' PORGY AND BESS, which played a record-breaking, sold out engagement at the American Repertory Theater, will play a 26-week limited run at the Richard Rodgers Theatre (226 West 46th Street, between 8th Avenue and Broadway). Check out the just-released artwork for the Broadway run below! (more...)

STAGE TUBE: New Footage from Broadway-Bound PORGY AND BESS

It was announced last week that the Broadway-bound production of THE GERSHWINS' PORGY AND BESS, which played a record-breaking, sold out engagement at the American Repertory Theater, will play a 26-week limited run at the Richard Rodgers Theatre (226 West 46th Street, between 8th Avenue and Broadway). Here's a glimpse at some more production footage from the A.R.T. run! (more...)