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.
The official presentation took place at a press conference hosted by Emerson College President M. Lee Pelton to celebrate this important piece of American musical history. On hand for the ceremony was the cast from the production of "The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess" including Audra McDonald, Norm Lewis, and David Alan Grier. The show is finishing up its sold-out run this Sunday (Oct. 2) at Harvard University's American Repertory Theater. Also attending were Chris Cook from the Mayor's Office, Rich Jaffe from Broadway in Boston, Joe Spaulding of the Citi Performing Arts Center, and representatives from Emerson College and Harvard University.
Emerson College announced today that it is working out final details of a three-year lease agreement that would result in the Citi Performing Arts Center taking responsibility for operating the Colonial Theatre beginning in July 2012. Broadway in Boston would be Citi's booking partner.
Not only did "Porgy and Bess" have its pre-Broadway tryout in the Colonial Theatre opening on September 30, 1935, but others shows played the historic theater before becoming part the celebrated canon of American musical theater. Those shows include "Follies," "A Little Night Music," "La Cage aux Folles," "Born Yesterday," "Oklahoma!" and "Carousel."
Upon receiving the proclamation from the city of Boston, Diane Paulus thanked Mayor Menino and President Pelton for the event and added, "The Boston community has given us the warmest welcome. Night after night, there is an undeniable and palpable excitement from each and every audience member, young and old alike. With our production, we hope to honor the past and give new audiences an opportunity to fall in love with this American classic. And we stand on the shoulders of those groundbreaking artists that embarked on this journey 76 years ago today."
Mayor Menino noted the important role Boston has played in supporting the arts. "Porgy and Bess is a national treasure," Mayor Menino said, "We are proud the Boston played a critical role in the development of this great work of art."
(L to R) Emerson College President Lee Pelton, Norm Lewis, Audra McDonald, Phillip Boykin, A.R.T. Artistic Director Diane Paulus, David Alan Grier and the cast of The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess at the Colonial Theatre in Boston.
