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The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess Revival 2012 - Articles Page 1.8

Opened: January 12, 2012
Closing: September 23, 2012

The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess - 2012 Broadway History , Info & More

Richard Rodgers Theatre (Broadway)
226 W. 46th St. New York, NY 10036

THE GERSHWINS' PORGY AND BESS is the classic American tale is set in the 1930s in Catfish Row, a neighborhood in Charleston, South Carolina. Bess, beautiful and troubled, turns to Porgy, the crippled beggar, in search of safety after her possessive lover Crown commits murder. As Porgy and Bess's love grows, their future is threatened by Crown and the conniving Sporting Life. This heartbreaking love story boasts some of the most famous and beloved works from the Great American Songbook, including: "Summertime," "Bess, You Is My Woman," "It Ain't Necessarily So" and "I Loves You, Porgy."


The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess - 2012 - Broadway Cast

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PREVIEW The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess - 2012 - Broadway

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FEATURED REVIEWS FOR The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess

A 'Porgy' For Prigs
5 / 10

It ought to be good news that 'Porgy and Bess' is back on Broadway for the first time in 35 years. Sad to say, the new version, which is billed by express order of the Gershwin brothers' estates as 'The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess,' is a sanitized, heavily cut rewrite that strips away the show's essence so as to render it suitable for consumption by 21st-century prigs. If you've never seen or heard 'Porgy,' you might well find this version blandly pleasing. Otherwise, you'll be appalled.

Theater review: 'Porgy and Bess'
7 / 10

In working out their approach to the celebrated folk opera, during rehearsals and an out-of-town tryout, director Diane Paulus and adaptors Suzan-Lori Parks and Diedre L. Murray pretty much circled back to the original 1935 show created by George and Ira Gershwin and DuBose and Dorothy Heyward. Aside from turning some sung sections into spoken dialogue, adding small details about the characters and incorporating a few new staging ideas, this is a traditional rendering of the lives of the poor black inhabitants of Catfish Row in Charleston, S.C.

THE FRIDAY SIX: Q&As with Your Favorite Broadway Stars- NaTasha Yvette Williams!
by BWW - June 15, 2012


Welcome to THE FRIDAY SIX: Q&As With Your Favorite Broadway Stars. Want to know what hooked them to a career in the theater? Their dream roles? Their Broadway crushes? Read on! In this next edition, we caught up with NaTasha Yvette Williams, who is starring as 'Mariah' in THE GERSHWINS' PORGY & BESS- currently playing at the Richard Rodgers Theatre!

TV: Audra McDonald on How She Owes Her Tony Win to the Generation of Greats Before Her
by Jessica Lewis - June 11, 2012


Last night, June 10, Audra McDonald took home her 5th Tony Award for for Best Lead Actress in a Musical for her role of 'Bess' in THE GERSWIN's PORGY AND BESS. Though we'd think she'd be used to the feeling of winning by now, McDonald spoke with BroadwayWorld just moments after her win only to reveal how it still feels 'out of body'. Click below to hear from the Broadway darling herself!

PORGY AND BESS' Wilkie Ferguson Plays 'Just A Piano' Series Tonight, 6/11
by BWW News Desk - June 11, 2012


Wilkie Ferguson, III, currently performing in the ten-time Tony Award nominated The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess on Broadway, makes his NYC solo concert debut at The Triad Theater (158 West 72nd Street) tonight, June 11th, 2012 at 9:30pm. Special guests include Tony Nominee Joshua Henry.

PORGY AND BESS' Wilkie Ferguson Plays 'Just A Piano' Series, 6/11
by BWW News Desk - June 4, 2012


Wilkie Ferguson, III, currently performing in the ten-time Tony Award nominated The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess on Broadway, makes his NYC solo concert debut at The Triad Theater (158 West 72nd Street) on June 11th, 2012 at 9:30pm. Special guests include Tony Nominee Joshua Henry.

Photo Coverage: Norm Lewis Officially Joins Sardi's Wall of Fame
by Walter McBride - May 31, 2012


Tony nominee Norm Lewis, currently starring on Broadway as Porgy in The Gershwins' PORGY AND BESS, joined the legendary walls of Sardi's when his caricature was unveiled and hung yesterday, May 30th, during a special ceremony. His portrait joins the hundreds of Broadway and Hollywood celebrities, including his co-star and fellow 2012 Tony nominee Audra McDonald, as well as co-star David Alan Grier also Tony-nominated for his performance in The Gershwins' PORGY AND BESS.

FREEZE FRAME: Norm Lewis Joins the Sardi's Wall of Fame
by Walter McBride - May 30, 2012


Tony nominee Norm Lewis, currently starring on Broadway as Porgy in The Gershwins' PORGY AND BESS, joined the legendary walls of Sardi's (234 West 44th Street) when his caricature was unveiled and hung this evening, May 30th, during a special ceremony. His portrait joins the hundreds of Broadway and Hollywood celebrities, including his co-star and fellow 2012 Tony nominee Audra McDonald, as well as co-star David Alan Grier also Tony-nominated for his performance in The Gershwins' PORGY AND BESS. See a photo of the three together at Sardi's below!

Photo Flash: PORGY & BESS Cast Signs Albums at Barnes & Noble!
by Kelsey Denette - May 23, 2012


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

PORGY AND BESS' Wilkie Ferguson to Play the Triad, 6/11
by Kelsey Denette - May 11, 2012


Wilkie Ferguson III, currently performing in the ten-time Tony Award nominated The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess on Broadway, makes his NYC solo concert debut at The Triad Theater (158 West 72nd Street) on June 11th, 2012 at 9:30pm. Special guests include Tony nominee Joshua Henry.

TV Special: 2012 Tony Nominees - Phillip Boykin Overjoyed to Make it to Broadway in PORGY & BESS!
by Nicole Rosky - June 9, 2012


BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge was thrilled to sit down and speak with nearly all of this year's Tony Award nominees at the official Tony Brunch on May 2, 2012, and we will be bringing you special coverage on all of them throughout the awards season. Today we bring you Phillip Boykin, nominee for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for Porgy and Bess.

TV Special: 2012 Tony Nominees - Norm Lewis on Being Over the Moon for PORGY & BESS!
by Nicole Rosky - May 29, 2012


BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge was thrilled to sit down and speak with nearly all of this year's Tony Award nominees at the official Tony Brunch on May 2, 2012, and we will be bringing you special coverage on all of them throughout the awards season. Today we bring you Norm Lewis, nominee for Best Actor in a Musical for Porgy and Bess.

TV Special: 2012 Tony Nominees - Diane Paulus on the Director's Dream That Was PORGY AND BESS!
by Nicole Rosky - June 10, 2012


BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge was thrilled to sit down and speak with nearly all of this year's Tony Award nominees at the official Tony Brunch on May 2, 2012, and we will be bringing you special coverage on all of them throughout the awards season. Today we chat with Diane Paulus, nominated for Best Direction of a Musical for The Gershwin's Porgy and Bess.

TV Special: 2012 Tony Nominees - David Alan Grier on Being Welcomed Back to Broadway in PORGY AND BESS!
by Nicole Rosky - May 31, 2012


BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge was thrilled to sit down and speak with nearly all of this year's Tony Award nominees at the official Tony Brunch on May 2, 2012, and we will be bringing you special coverage on all of them throughout the awards season. Today we chat with David Alan Grier, nominated for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for The Gershwin's Porgy and Bess.

TV Special: 2012 Tony Nominees - Audra McDonald on How She Almost Passed on PORGY AND BESS & More!
by Jessica Lewis - May 4, 2012


BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge was thrilled to sit down and speak with nearly all of this year's Tony Award nominees at the official Tony Brunch on May 2, 2012, and we will be bringing you special coverage on all of them throughout the awards season. We begin with Audra McDonald, nominated for Best Actress in a Musical for The Gershwin's Porgy and Bess.

STAGE TUBE: Backstage at PORGY & BESS - Phillip Boykin and Joshua Henry React to Tony Award Nominations
by James T Harding - May 3, 2012


THE GERSHWINS' PORGY AND BESS was nominated for ten Tony Awards yesterday morning, including Best Revivial of a Musical, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical and is Actress counterpart. Check out this backstage footage of the cast, including Phillip Boykin and Joshua Henry, reacting to the news.

LaChanze, Cast Members of PORGY AND BESS, et al. Set for Impact Broadway Fundraiser Tonight, 4/30
by BWW News Desk - April 30, 2012


The Youth Impact Broadway Project, Inc. (Impact Broadway) will host their first fundraising event tonight, April 30th at 5pm at Chocolat Restaurant and Lounge in Harlem featuring LaChanze, cast members from PORGY AND BESS, and more.

Listen to Tracks from the PORGY AND BESS Cast Album!
by Nicole Rosky - April 24, 2012


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:

LaChanze, Cast Members of PORGY AND BESS, et al. Set for Impact Broadway Fundraiser, 4/30
by Max Schwager - April 23, 2012


The Youth Impact Broadway Project, Inc. (Impact Broadway) will host their first fundraising event Monday, April 30th at 5pm at Chocolat Restaurant and Lounge in Harlem featuring LaChanze, cast members from PORGY AND BESS, and more.

STAGE TUBE: PORGY AND BESS Onstage Marriage Proposal!
by Nicole Rosky - April 16, 2012


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!

The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess History

Other Productions of The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess

1935   Broadway Original Broadway Production
Broadway
1942   Broadway Broadway Revival
Broadway
1943   Broadway
Broadway
1944   Broadway
Broadway
1952   West End London Revival
West End
1953   Broadway Broadway Revival
Broadway
1961   Off-Broadway City Center Revival
Off-Broadway
1964   Off-Broadway City Center Revival
Off-Broadway
1976   Broadway Broadway Revival
Broadway
1983   Broadway Broadway Revival
Broadway
2000   Broadway New York City Opera Production
Broadway
2006   West End London Revival
West End
2012   Broadway Broadway Revival
Broadway
2013   US Tour National Tour
US Tour

The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess - 2012 Broadway Awards and Nominations

Note: Award winners will appear on a background
Year Ceremony Category Nominee
2012 BroadwayWorld Awards Best Leading Actress in a Musical Audra McDonald
2012 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Actor in a Musical Norm Lewis
2012 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Actress in a Musical Audra McDonald
2012 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical Phillip Boykin
2012 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Revival of a Musical 0
2012 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Sound Design in a Musical Acme Sound Partners
2012 Drama League Awards Distinguished Performance Award Audra McDonald
2012 Drama League Awards Distinguished Performance Award Norm Lewis
2012 Drama League Awards Distinguished Revival of a Musical 0
2012 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Actor in a Musical Norm Lewis
2012 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Actress in a Musical Audra McDonald
2012 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical Phillip Boykin
2012 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Revival of a Musical (Broadway or Off-Broadway) 0
2012 Theatre World Awards Outstanding Debut Performance Phillip Boykin
2012 Tony Awards Best Costume Design of a Musical ESosa
2012 Tony Awards Best Direction of a Musical Diane Paulus
2012 Tony Awards Best Lighting Design of a Musical Christopher Akerlind
2012 Tony Awards Best Orchestrations Christopher Jahnke
2012 Tony Awards Best Orchestrations William David Brohn
2012 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical Phillip Boykin
2012 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical David Alan Grier
2012 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical Norm Lewis
2012 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical Audra McDonald
2012 Tony Awards Best Revival of a Musical Jeffrey Richards
2012 Tony Awards Best Revival of a Musical The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess
2012 Tony Awards Best Revival of a Musical Jerry Frankel
2012 Tony Awards Best Revival of a Musical Rebecca Gold
2012 Tony Awards Best Revival of a Musical Howard Kagan
2012 Tony Awards Best Revival of a Musical Cheryl Wiesenfeld/Brunish Trinchero/Lucio Simons TBC
2012 Tony Awards Best Revival of a Musical Joseph & Matthew Deitch
2012 Tony Awards Best Revival of a Musical Mark S. Golub & David S. Golub
2012 Tony Awards Best Revival of a Musical Terry Schnuck
2012 Tony Awards Best Revival of a Musical Freitag Productions/Koenigsberg Filerman
2012 Tony Awards Best Revival of a Musical The Leonore S. Gershwin 1987 Trust
2012 Tony Awards Best Revival of a Musical Universal Pictures Stage Productions
2012 Tony Awards Best Revival of a Musical Ken Mahoney
2012 Tony Awards Best Revival of a Musical Judith Resnick
2012 Tony Awards Best Revival of a Musical Tulchin/Bartner/ATG
2012 Tony Awards Best Revival of a Musical Paper Boy Productions
2012 Tony Awards Best Revival of a Musical Christopher Hart
2012 Tony Awards Best Revival of a Musical Alden Badway
2012 Tony Awards Best Revival of a Musical Broadway Across America
2012 Tony Awards Best Revival of a Musical Irene Gandy
2012 Tony Awards Best Revival of a Musical Will Trice
2012 Tony Awards Best Revival of a Musical American Repertory Theater
2012 Tony Awards Best Revival of a Musical Will Trice
2012 Tony Awards Best Revival of a Musical Jeffrey Richards
2012 Tony Awards Best Revival of a Musical Jerry Frankel
2012 Tony Awards Best Revival of a Musical Rebecca Gold
2012 Tony Awards Best Revival of a Musical Howard Kagan
2012 Tony Awards Best Revival of a Musical Cheryl Wiesenfeld/Brunish Trinchero/Lucio Simons TBC
2012 Tony Awards Best Revival of a Musical Joseph & Matthew Deitch
2012 Tony Awards Best Revival of a Musical Mark S. Golub & David S. Golub
2012 Tony Awards Best Revival of a Musical Terry Schnuck
2012 Tony Awards Best Revival of a Musical Freitag Productions/Koenigsberg Filerman
2012 Tony Awards Best Revival of a Musical The Leonore S. Gershwin 1987 Trust
2012 Tony Awards Best Revival of a Musical Universal Pictures Stage Productions
2012 Tony Awards Best Revival of a Musical Ken Mahoney
2012 Tony Awards Best Revival of a Musical Judith Resnick
2012 Tony Awards Best Revival of a Musical Tulchin/Bartner/ATG
2012 Tony Awards Best Revival of a Musical Paper Boy Productions
2012 Tony Awards Best Revival of a Musical Christopher Hart
2012 Tony Awards Best Revival of a Musical Alden Badway
2012 Tony Awards Best Revival of a Musical Broadway Across America
2012 Tony Awards Best Revival of a Musical Irene Gandy
2012 Tony Awards Best Revival of a Musical American Repertory Theater
2012 Tony Awards Best Revival of a Musical Jeffrey Richards
2012 Tony Awards Best Sound Design of a Musical Acme Sound Partners

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