FEATURED ARTICLES ABOUT PORGY & BESS

GYPSY OF THE MONTH: J.D. Webster of 'The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess'

J.D.'s varied career has encompassed Broadway, opera, concert work and 17 Encores! shows. (more...)

PORGY AND BESS Revival to Play 26-Week Limited Run; 1/12- 6/24

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). (more...)

Mayor Menino and City of Boston Declare September 30 THE GERSHWINS' PORGY AND BESS Day

In honor of the 76th anniversary of the world premiere, Mayor Thomas M. Menino proclaimed today, Friday, September 30, 2011, as 'The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess' Day in the City of Boston. (more...)

UP ON THE MARQUEE: THE GERSHWINS' PORGY AND BESS

On August 31, American Repertory Theatre opened The Gershwins' PORGY AND BESS. Written by Ira Gershwin, George Gershwin, DuBose and Dorothy Heyward, the A.R.T. production features an adaptation by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Suzan-Lori Parks and Obie Award-winning composer Diedre L. Murray. It is directed by A.R.T. Artistic Director Diane Paulus, with choreography by Ronald K. Brown. The show began previews on August 17 and is planning a Broadway transfer this winter. The production is scheduled to begin previews at the Richard Rogers Theatre on December 17, 2011 in anticipation of a January 12, 2012 Broadway opening. The marquee is going up at the Richard Rogers, and BroadwayWorld brings you photos below! (more...)

STAGE TUBE: An In-Depth Look at PORGY AND BESS- Part 2!

American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) opened its 2011-12 season with The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess, by George Gershwin, DuBose and Dorothy Heyward, and Ira Gershwin on August 31. The adaptation by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Suzan-Lori Parks and Obie Award-winning composer Diedre L. Murray, directed by A.R.T. Artistic Director Diane Paulus, with choreography by Ronald K. Brown, began previews on August 17. The production will begin previews at the Richard Rogers Theatre on December 17, 2011 in anticipation of a January 12, 2012 Broadway opening. (more...)

Broadway Transfer of PORGY & BESS Greenlit by Gershwin & Heyward Estates

Producers Jeffrey Richards and Jerry Frankel in association with the American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) have announced that the estates of George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin, and DuBose and Dorothy Herward have enthusiastically endorsed THE GERSHWINS' PORGY AND BESS, officially greenlighting the sold-out A.R.T. production to come to Broadway. Below are the full supporting letters from the estates. (more...)

STAGE TUBE: An In-Depth Look at THE GERSHWINS' PORGY AND BESS!

Boston based WGBH presented an in-depth look at the much talked about new adaptation of PORGY AND BESS, complete with interviews from the stars. Get a look at the first part below; the second part airing tonight! (more...)

Review Roundup: Broadway-Bound THE GERSHWINS' PORGY AND BESS

A.R.T. American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) opens its 2011-12 season with The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess, by George Gershwin, DuBose and Dorothy Heyward, and Ira Gershwin tonight, August 31. The adaptation by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Suzan-Lori Parks and Obie Award-winning composer Diedre L. Murray, directed by A.R.T. Artistic Director Diane Paulus, with choreography by Ronald K. Brown, began previews on August 17. The production will begin previews at the Richard Rogers Theatre on December 17, 2011 in anticipation of a January 12, 2012 Broadway opening. (more...)

Photo Flash: New Production Shots Released for Broadway-Bound PORGY & BESS!

A.R.T. American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) will present The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess, opening the A.R.T.'s 2011-2 season tonight, August 17 at the Loeb Drama Center. The Gershwin's Porgy and Bess, by George Gershwin, DuBose and Dorothy Heyward, and Ira Gershwin, is adapted by Suzan-Lori Parks and Diedre Murray, and directed by A.R.T. Artistic Director Diane Paulus. Check out the first production shots below! (more...)

Photo Flash: Broadway-Bound PORGY & BESS Opens at A.R.T. Tonight, 8/31

A.R.T. American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) will present The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess, opening the A.R.T.'s 2011-2 season tonight, August 17 at the Loeb Drama Center. The Gershwin's Porgy and Bess, by George Gershwin, DuBose and Dorothy Heyward, and Ira Gershwin, is adapted by Suzan-Lori Parks and Diedre Murray, and directed by A.R.T. Artistic Director Diane Paulus. Check out the first production shots below! (more...)

STAGE TUBE: First Look at Broadway-Bound PORGY & BESS in Workshop

A.R.T. American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) opens its 2011-12 season with The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess, by George Gershwin, DuBose and Dorothy Heyward, and Ira Gershwin. The adaptation by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Suzan-Lori Parks and Obie Award-winning composer Diedre L. Murray, directed by A.R.T. Artistic Director Diane Paulus, with choreography by Ronald K. Brown, begins previews on August 17 and opens for the reviewing press on August 31 at 7pm. Performances are at the Loeb Drama Center, 64 Brattle Street, Cambridge. Tickets for preview performances are currently on sale, remaining tickets for the run go on sale on July 12. Check out a sneak peek of the production below! (more...)

Photo Flash: First Look at Broadway-Bound PORGY & BESS at A.R.T.

A.R.T. American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) will present The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess, opening the A.R.T.'s 2011-2 season tonight, August 17 at the Loeb Drama Center. The Gershwin's Porgy and Bess, by George Gershwin, DuBose and Dorothy Heyward, and Ira Gershwin, is adapted by Suzan-Lori Parks and Diedre Murray, and directed by A.R.T. Artistic Director Diane Paulus. Check out the first production shots below! (more...)

BWW Polls: Do You Agree with Sondheim on THE GERSHWINS' PORGY AND BESS?

THE GERSHWINS' PORGY AND BESS by George Gershwin, DuBose and Dorothy Heyward, and Ira Gershwin has been re-imagined by A.R.T.'s Artistic Director Diane Paulus, Pulitzer prize-winning writer Suzan-Lori Parks, and two-time Obie winner Diedre Murray, and is heading to Broadway in December. In response to a recent article in the New York Times that explained director Diane Paulus' new vision for the production, theatre legend Stehen Sondheim wrote in to share his thoughts earlier this week. (more...)

Twitter Watch: Audra McDonald- 'Art isn't easy'

On Twitter Watch, Audra McDonald wrote 'Here's what I think...to quote the greatest musical theater composer of our time... 'Art isn't easy' THE GERSHWINS' PORGY AND BESS by George Gershwin, DuBose and Dorothy Heyward, and Ira Gershwin has been re-imagined by A.R.T.'s Artistic Director Diane Paulus, Pulitzer prize-winning writer Suzan-Lori Parks, and two-time Obie winner Diedre Murray, and is heading to Broadway in December. In response to a recent article in the New York Times that explained director Diane Paulus' new vision for the production, theatre legend Stehen Sondheim wrote in to share his thoughts. Sondheim wrote: 'The article by Mr. Healy about the coming revival of 'Porgy and Bess' is dismaying on many levels. To begin with, the title of the show is now 'The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess.' I assume that's in case anyone was worried it was the Rodgers and Hart 'Porgy and Bess' that was coming to town. But what happened to DuBose Heyward? Most of the lyrics (and all of the good ones) are his alone ('Summertime,' 'My Man's Gone Now') or co-written with Ira Gershwin ('Bess, You Is My Woman Now'). If this billing is at the insistence of the Gershwin estate, they should be ashamed of themselves. If it's the producers' idea, it's just dumb.' To read Sondheim's full letter, click here. ' (more...)

Stephen Sondheim Speaks Out Against Paulus' PORGY & BESS

THE GERSHWINS' PORGY AND BESS by George Gershwin, DuBose and Dorothy Heyward, and Ira Gershwin has been re-imagined by A.R.T.'s Artistic Director Diane Paulus, Pulitzer prize-winning writer Suzan-Lori Parks, and two-time Obie winner Diedre Murray, and is heading to Broadway in December. In response to a recent article in the New York Times that explained director Diane Paulus' new vision for the production, theatre legend Stehen Sondheim wrote in to share his thoughts. (more...)

STAGE TUBE: In Rehearsal with A.R.T.'s PORGY AND BESS!

A.R.T. American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) opens its 2011-12 season with The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess, by George Gershwin, DuBose and Dorothy Heyward, and Ira Gershwin. The adaptation by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Suzan-Lori Parks and Obie Award-winning composer Diedre L. Murray, directed by A.R.T. Artistic Director Diane Paulus, with choreography by Ronald K. Brown, begins previews on August 17 and opens for the reviewing press on August 31 at 7pm. Performances are at the Loeb Drama Center, 64 Brattle Street, Cambridge. In the video below, the Boston Globe goes inside rehearsal and chats with the cast about the new production. Click below to check it out! (more...)

Photo Flash: The Gershwins' PORGY & BESS in Rehearsal at A.R.T.

A.R.T. American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) opens its 2011-12 season with The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess, by George Gershwin, DuBose and Dorothy Heyward, and Ira Gershwin. The adaptation by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Suzan-Lori Parks and Obie Award-winning composer Diedre L. Murray, directed by A.R.T. Artistic Director Diane Paulus, with choreography by Ronald K. Brown, begins previews on August 17 and opens for the reviewing press on August 31 at 7pm. Performances are at the Loeb Drama Center, 64 Brattle Street, Cambridge. Check out our High Res photo gallery of Rehearsal photos (without costuming)! (more...)

Full Cast Announced for THE GERSHWINS' PORGY AND BESS at A.R.T.

A.R.T. American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) opens its 2011-12 season with The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess, by George Gershwin, DuBose and Dorothy Heyward, and Ira Gershwin. The adaptation by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Suzan-Lori Parks and Obie Award-winning composer Diedre L. Murray, directed by A.R.T. Artistic Director Diane Paulus, with choreography by Ronald K. Brown, begins previews on August 17 and opens for the reviewing press on August 31 at 7pm. Performances are at the Loeb Drama Center, 64 Brattle Street, Cambridge. Tickets for preview performances are currently on sale, remaining tickets for the run go on sale on July 12. (more...)

Official: Audra McDonald, Norm Lewis & David Alan Grier to Star in PORGY AND BESS on Broadway at Richard Rodgers

Norm Lewis, Audra McDonald, and David Alan Grier will star as Porgy, Bess, and Sportin' Life in A.R.T.'s new production of The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess. Performances will begin August 17 at the Loeb Drama Center in Cambridge, where it will run until October 2. The show's next stop will be on Broadway at the Richard Rodgers Theater, where it will begin previews on December 17th and will open on January 12th, 2012. (more...)