Tickets for National Tour of The Gershwins' PORGY AND BESS Goes on Sale Today at The Smith Center

The Smith Center announced today that single tickets for The National Tour of THE GERSHWINS' PORGY AND BESS, winner of the 2012 Tony Award for Best Musical Revival, will go on sale today, Feb. 21 at 10 a.m. Ticket prices range from $26 to $129 and will be available at The Smith Center box office located at 361 Symphony Park Avenue, by phone at 702-749-2000 or 808-326-6868 (TTY) and online at www.TheSmithCenter.com. For preferred seating and special rates for groups of 10 or more, contact 702-749-2348.

The cast features Nathaniel Stampley as Porgy, Alicia Hall Moran as Bess, Alvin Crawford as Crown, Kingsley Leggs as Sporting Life, Sumayya Ali as Clara, Denisha Ballew as Serena, Danielle Greaves as Mariah and David Hughey as Jake.

The cast also includes Dan Barnhill, Vanjah Boikai, Adrianna M. Cleveland, Roosevelt André Credit, Cicily Daniels, Dwelvan David, Nkrumah Gatling, Tamar Greene, Nicole Adell Johnson, James Earl Jones II, Quentin Oliver Lee, Cheryse McLeod Lewis, Sarita Rachelle Lilly, Kent Overshown, Chauncey Packer, Lindsay Roberts, Fred Rose and Soara-Joye Ross.

THE GERSHWINS' PORGY AND BESS by George Gershwin; Dubose and Dorothy Heyward; and Ira Gershwin features one of Broadway's most accomplished creative teams, led by Tony Award-winning director Diane Paulus (Pippin, Hair); Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Suzan-Lori Parks(Topdog/Underdog); and two-time Obie Award-winning composer Diedre L. Murray (Running Man). The creative team also includes choreographer Ronald K. Brown; set designer Riccardo Hernandez; costume designer Esosa; lighting designer Christopher Akerlind; sound designer Acme Sound Partners; wig, hair and makeup designers, J.Jared Janas and Rob Greene; music supervisor Constantine Kitsopoulous, orchestrators William David Brohn and Christopher Jahnke, and music director/conductor Dale Rieling.

Based on DuBose Heyward's novel "Porgy" and the play of the same name, which he co-wrote with his wife Dorothy Heyward, the Broadway revival of THE GERSHWINS' PORGY AND BESS is a stunning and stirring new staging with a magnificent 23-piece orchestra, including such legendary songs as "Summertime,""It Ain't Necessarily So," and "I Got Plenty of Nothing." The classic story is set in Charleston's fabled Catfish Row, where the beautiful Bess struggles to break free from her scandalous past, and the only one who can rescue her is the courageous Porgy. Threatened by her formidable former lover Crown, and the seductive enticements of the colorful troublemaker Sporting Life, Porgy and Bess' relationship evolves into a deep romance that triumphs as one of theater's most exhilarating love stories.

Before presenting the world premiere production of THE GERSHWINS' PORGY AND BESS during its 2011/12 season the American Repertory Theater at Harvard University first produced the groundbreaking immersive theater event Sleep No More in an empty school in Brookline, MA and developed Once the Musical in its club theater venue OBERON. This past season the A.R.T. went on to mount the world premiere engagements of the 2013 Tony Award-winning revival of Pippin and the critically acclaimed, upcoming Broadway revival of The Glass Menagerie starring Cherry Jones, Zachary Quinto, Celia Keenan-Bolger and Brian J. Smith. Following its sold-out engagement at A.R.T., THE GERSHWINS' PORGY AND BESS moved to the Richard Rodgers Theatre on Broadway for a limited engagement with an official opening on Jan. 12, 2012. After extending the show twice, THE GERSHWINS' PORGY AND BESS closed on Sept. 23, 2012 after 322 performances, making it the longest running production of PORGY AND BESS to ever play Broadway. The 2012 Broadway Cast Recording of THE GERSHWINS' PORGY AND BESS is now available on PS Classics.

PORGY AND BESS first premiered at the Colonial Theatre in Boston on September 30, 1935. Broadway performances followed featuring a cast of classically trained African-American singers - a daring and visionary artistic choice at the time. This new adaptation of THE GERSHWINS' PORGY AND BESS was specifically created for Broadway and features a revised book in a musical theatre format and jazz-oriented musical arrangements.

For more information, please visit www.porgyandbessthemusical.com. For more information on THE GERSHWINS' PORGY AND BESS at The Smith Center, visit www.TheSmithCenter.com.

Cast Bios:

NATHANIEL STAMPLEY (Porgy). West End: The Lion King (Disney UK Ltd.). Broadway: The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess, The Color Purple, The Lion King. Fiorello!, Lost in the Stars, NY City Center's Encores!; Abyssinia, North Shore Music Theatre; Pacific Overtures, Chicago Shakespeare Theater; Strike Up the Band, Auditorium Theatre's Ovations!; Violet, Big River, Apple Tree Theatre; The Skylight Opera Theater's Girl Crazy, The King and I; Link Up with the Orchestra of St. Luke's at Carnegie Hall; Musical Introduction Series at 92Y.

ALICIA HALL MORAN (Bess) is thrilled to portray Bess in The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess after performing in the Company of the workshop, the A.R.T. premiere, and finally as the Bess alternate and understudy in Broadway's Tony-winning production. Moran's musical background includes critically-acclaimed concerts and collaborations in Dance, Jazz, Classical Music and Fine Arts. A California native, Moran lives in New York with husband and frequent collaborator, pianist Jason Moran, and their sons. aliciahallmoran.com

ALVIN CRAWFORD (Crown). Broadway: The Lion King, Candide, Miss Saigon, The Buddy Holly Story. Off-Broadway/Regional: Pirates Of Penzance, Big River, A Raisin In The Sun, (Phylicia Rashad Dir.) Famous Orpheus, Martin Guerre, Street Scene. Film/ TV: And So It Goes (2014 release), It Runs In The Family, Clarence, Pray For Me, South Pacific. Alvin is a graduate of The Juilliard School.

KINGSLEY LEGGS (Sporting Life). Broadway: Sister Act, The Color Purple, Miss Saigon. Touring: Sister Act, Ragtime, Miss Saigon, It Ain't Nothing but the Blues. Regional: NCT, 5th Avenue, Goodman Theatre, Denver Center Theatre, Seattle Rep, Ford's Theatre, Baltimore Centerstage, Geffen Playhouse, Laguna Payhouse, Milwaukee Skylight, Alliance Theatre, Marriotts Lincolnshire, The MUNY, St. Louis Black Rep. TV: "City of Angels," "One Life to Live," "Law and Order SVU."

SUMAYYA ALI (Clara, u/s Bess). Broadway/ New York: The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess, Ragtime!, Lost in the Stars. Favorite Regional: Master Class, Ragtime! (Kennedy Center), Oklahoma! (Portland Center Stage). TV/Film: Red Hook Summer, Something Whispered; Boston District winner of Metropolitan Opera Competition, Spelman College, BA, New England Conservatory, MM. Performance dedicated to my lovely teacher Mr. Bonds. www.sumayya.com

DENISHA BALLEW (Serena). Artist Highlights include: Eliza in Baber's River of Time (Kennedy Center premiere), 1st Lady in Mozart's Magic Flute (Nashville Opera), Bess in Porgy and Bess (Knoxville Symphony Orchestra) and Mozart's Don Giovanni (AIMS Festival Orchestra in Graz, Austria).

DANIELLE LEE GREAVES (Mariah). Broadway: A Streetcar Named Desire, Rent, Hairspray, Sunset Boulevard, Show Boat. New York: The Importance of Being Earnest, Two Gentlemen of Verona, Purlie. National Tours: The Lion King, Rent. Film: Growing Up (and Other Lies). Television: "Smash," "The Big C," "Rescue Me," "Damages," "Whoopi," "100 Centre Street." Other: Broadway Inspirational Voices.

DAVID HUGHEY (Jake). Broadway: Sporting Life/Jake (u/s) The Gershwins' Porgy And Bess. Regional: Bernardo West Side Story, Rapunzel's Prince Into The Woods, Harry Easter Street Scene, Father Children Of Eden. Opera: Figaro Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Schaunard La Boheme, Morales Carmen. This performance is dedicated to my amazing parents, Calvin and Linda, for their undying love and support! www.davidhughey.com

DAN BARNHILL (Detective). Broadway: The Gershwins' Porgy & Bess. Off-Broadway: The Joy of Going Somewhere Definite, dir. William H. Macy (Atlantic Theater Company), Graceland (LCT3). Other: Benten Kozo (The Flea), As You Like It (The Drilling Company), Emerging Artists Theater Co., NYC Fringe, DC Fringe. Toured Europe as the guitarist in a punk band.

VANJAH BOIKAI (Swing, u/s Jake) studied opera at Ohio State. Touring debut; Regional: Barn Theater, Weathervane Playhouse, Opera Columbus. He sings with Condola Rashad's band Condola and the Stoop Kids. He is thrilled to join this family and tell this classic story. Thanks to family, friends. For Mom and Dad Musu, Leroy Boikai.

ADRIANNA M. CLEVELAND (Woman of Catfish Row, u/s Clara). Native of Pittsburgh, B. M. in voice from Baldwin -Wallace College. Trained by world famous Heldentenor Dr. Timothy Mussard and his wonderful wife, Annie Mussard. Currently a member of the Nouveau Noir Vocal Ensemble directed by Maestro David Jennings-Smith. Thankful for my family and my teachers for inspiring me.

ROOSEVELT ANDRÉ CREDIT (Fisherman). B'way: Show Boat (and national tour), The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess. Off B'way: Marie Christine, The Prince and the Pauper. Regional: The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess (A.R.T.), Ragtime, I Am Harvey Milk, For the People, (Majestic Theater, Gettysburg), The White House Cantata. Great to be back! Hugs for all!

CICILY DANIELS (Woman of Catfish Row, u/s Mariah). Broadway: Disney's The Little Mermaid (Ursula u/s, Alana), All Shook Up (Sylvia u/s), Rent (Joanne u/s). National Tour: Caroline or Change (Washing Machine), TV & Film: "Boardwalk Empire" (Jazz Dancer), "Ugly Betty" (Zelda), Across the Universe. Yale University, B.A. Theater.

DWELVAN DAVID (The Crab Man, u/s Crown).First 1st National Tour. NY: Standby (NYMF 2013) Regional: Ain't Misbehavin', The Wiz, Caroline, or Change, Ragtime, Big River, Cats, Show Boat, The Nativity, Hot Mikado. Nominations: BTAA, Louie, Joseph Jefferson. BFA Millikin University.AEA Proud. Shalom Y'all! visit www.DwelvanDavid.com

NKRUMAH GATLING (Ensemble, u/s Jake).is thrilled to be joining the cast of The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess! Broadway: Hair. National Tours: Hair, Miss Saigon. Regional: Band Geeks (Goodspeed), Miss Saigon, Dreamgirls, Wonderful Life (TUTS). Many thanks and lots of love to Mom and my family!

TAMAR GREENE (Fisherman). is debuting in his first national tour. MM: Eastman. Regional: Viva Verdi (Buffalo Opera Unlimited), RENT (Blackfriar's), The Wiz (OFC), Trial By Jury (Rochester Lyric Opera), Little Shop of Horrors (RAPA). Much love to my family, friends, and soulmate Jen.

NICOLE ADELL JOHNSON (Woman of Catfish Row, Dance Captain). Baltimore native. Credits: The Lion King (Broadway, national tour), Companies: Lula Washington, Creative Outlet Dance Theater. Him and Us (film), Tannhauser (L.A. Opera). AEA Member. Thank you God, family and friends for your endless love and support.

JAMES EARL JONES II (Robbins, u/s Porgy). Regional: Chicago Shakespeare Theater, First Folio, Writers Theatre, Marriott Theater, Lookingglass, Court Theatre, Lyric Opera Chicago, SF Opera, Theater at the Center, Drury Lane Oakbrook, Northlight, Ravinia, Broadway in Chicago. Love & thanks to his family, friends, Sam/Stewart Talent &Telsey. For Semaje.

QUENTIN OLIVER LEE (Swing; u/s Porgy, Crown) is proud and excited that this is his first professional credit. He sends love to his family, friends & all supporters of local performing arts. More info about Quentin at: www.quentinolee.wix.com/quentinsings.

CHERYSE MCLEOD LEWIS (Swing, u/s Bess) is thrilled to join this 1st national tour! Opera Highlights: Carmen (Carmen), Ilbarbiere di Siviglia(Rosina), Hansel and Gretel (Hansel). Concert Highlights: Gettysburg Festival, Orchestra Seattle, Greensboro Symphony. Debut Solo CD: Spirituals. www. CheryseMusic.com

SARITA RACHELLE LILLY (The Strawberry Woman). Broadway: The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess (Swing). Regional: The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess (A.R.T.). Opera: Dead Man Walking (Sister Rose) (New England Premiere - BOC); The Merry Wives of Windsor (Mrs. Ford); International: Suor Angelica (Suor Angelica - Urbania, Italy). Much love to Eagles 4.

KENT OVERSHOWN (Mingo, the Undertaker, u/s Porgy). Tour: Memphis (Wailin' Joe, u/s Bobby, Delray, Gator). Regional: Casa Mañana, MUNY, Westchester Broadway Theatre. Endless thanks to friends and family without whose love and support I wouldn't be here. Thanks to Telsey and Co and the phenomenal team at Harden-Curtis. Dad, this is for you! Go Blue!

CHAUNCEY PACKER (Honey Man, u/s Sporting Life) is excited to perform in his first Broadway tour. Chauncey has performed operatic roles in Porgy & Bess, La Boheme and others in the US and abroad. Special thanks to family and friends.

LINDSAY ROBERTS (Swing, u/s Clara). National Tours: Memphis (1st National, Felicia u/s). Off-Broadway/Regional: Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Lost in the Stars (City Center Encores), Radio City Christmas Spectacular, Ragtime (Sarah), Festival of The Lion King (Nala). B.M. University of Maryland. All glory to God! www.lindsayroberts.com

FRED ROSE (Policeman, u/s Detective). Fred has appeared on Broadway in Cyrano de Bergerac (w/ Kevin Kline), Company (dir. John Doyle), Cabaret, (Studio 54) and Phantom, as well as in the pit orchestras (cello) of The Boy from Oz and Phantom. He is proud to be a part of this incredible production!

SOARA-JOYE ROSS (Woman of Catfish Row, u/s Serena, u/s Bess). From Dance of the Vampires and Les Miserables on Broadway, Jerry Springer: The Opera at Carnegie Hall, to Elton John's Aida, this award-winning actress has performed roles throughout the USA and abroad. "Grateful for my family, friends, agency & The Almighty!" www.Soara-JoyeRoss.com

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