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The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess Revival 2012

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 and Bess' made for Broadway
10 / 10

But taken on its own terms -- which is the way I prefer right now to take it -- the abridged-for-modern-Broadway production bursts with fierce immediacy. Despite sugarcoating the tragedy with upbeat promise of redemption, the show respects its internal logic. The sets -- boarded up buildings for the neighborhood, a blue sheet for the picnic sky -- are aggressively drab, a decision that guards against happy-peasant whitewash. From the start, McDonald's Bess is no fast-living, coke-loving spitfire. With a deep scar on her cheek and an undercurrent of gravity, this Bess is more a victim of rough circumstances than a wild thing with the potential for goodness. She also happens to have a voice that's luminous on the top, burnished in the middle and an astonishing technique that channels clear emotional truth.

We loves you, new 'Porgy and Bess'
9 / 10

The show proves an especially winning vehicle for leading lady Audra McDonald. Where her dramatic soprano has seemed a little heavy or stiff in other musical-theater roles, she invests Bess' songs with both technical authority and a fluid, full-bodied sense of character that extends to her spoken lines. Tracing the drug-addled Bess' attempt to turn her life around under Porgy's loving guidance, McDonald is by turns tender and crass, droll and desperate, and always wrenchingly human. As Porgy, the less-celebrated Norm Lewis is a revelation. That the character walks with a cane here, rather than using the traditional goat cart, only emphasizes the contrast between his lame body and his bursting heart. Hobbling toward McDonald or carefully leaning in to embrace her, Lewis' eyes burn with a soulful urgency that matches his robust baritone.

BWW Flashback: The Gershwins' PORGY AND BESS Closes on Broadway Today, September 23
by BWW Special Coverage - September 23, 2012


The 2012 Tony Award Winner for Best Revival of a Musical, The Gershwins' PORGY AND BESS will conclude its limited engagement at the Richard Rodgers Theatre (226 West 46th Street) today, September 23, 2012. The Gershwins' PORGY AND BESS began previews on Saturday, December 17, 2012, and officially opened on January 12, 2012. Upon closing, it will have played 322 performances. Below, BroadwayWorld takes you on a multimedia journey through the life of the longest-running production of Porgy and Bess to ever play on Broadway.

Broadway's Current Revival Becomes Longest-Running Production of PORGY & BESS
by Kelsey Denette - September 11, 2012


The 2012 Tony Award Winner for Best Revival of a Musical, The Gershwins' PORGY AND BESS becomes the longest-running production of Porgy and Bess to ever play on Broadway with its 306th performance today, September 11, 2012, breaking the record formerly held by the 1953 revival at the Ziegfeld Theatre. The show will conclude its limited engagement at the Richard Rodgers Theatre (226 West 46th Street) on Sunday, September 23, 2012.

Audra McDonald Returns to Full Performance Schedule in PORGY & BESS Tonight, 8/28
by BWW News Desk - August 28, 2012


Producers of the 2012 Tony Award Winner for Best Revival of a Musical, The Gershwins' PORGY AND BESS welcome Tony Award winner Audra McDonald's return to an eight-performance schedule beginning tonight, August 28th. She had previously been on a schedule of seven performances per week, not performing the Wednesday evening shows.

Audra McDonald Returns to Full Performance Schedule in PORGY & BESS, 8/28
by Nicole Rosky - August 23, 2012


Producers of the 2012 Tony Award Winner for Best Revival of a Musical, The Gershwins' PORGY AND BESS announced today that five-time Tony Award winner AUDRA McDONALD will return to an eight-performance schedule beginning Tuesday, August 28th. She had previously been on a schedule of seven performances per week, not performing the Wednesday evening shows.

PORGY AND BESS' Norm Lewis Lands Recurring Role on ABC's SCANDAL Season 2
by BWW News Desk - August 17, 2012


According to the Huffington Post, The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess' Norm Lewis will appear in a recurring role in SCANDAL season two on ABC. Lewis will first appear in the season's third episode.

Spike Lee in Negotiations for PORGY AND BESS Film Adaptation
by BWW News Desk - August 9, 2012


According to Indiewire, Spike Lee wants to make a film adaptation of the George Gershwin musical Porgy and Bess and has confirmed that negotiations are 'still in the works.' The Tony Award-winning revival starring Norm Lewis, Audra McDonald and David Alan Grier is currently playing on Broadway.

Breaking News: The Gershwin's PORGY & BESS Moves Broadway Closing Up to September 23, 2012
by Robert Diamond - July 18, 2012


Producers of the 2012 Tony Award Winner for Best Revival of a Musical, The Gershwins' PORGY AND BESS, have announced that the show will conclude its limited engagement at the Richard Rodgers Theatre on Sunday, September 23, 2012. The show, which had been twice extended, was originally scheduled to end a week later. The new date has been set to make room for the next engagement at the Rodgers, beginning October 4, 2012.

Audra McDonald to Appear on ABC's THE CHEW Tomorrow, 7/17
by BWW News Desk - July 16, 2012


Tony Award winner and star of The Gershwin's Porgy and Bess on Broadway Audra McDonald teams up with The Chew to prepare some state fair classics tomorrow, July 17 at 1 p.m. ET on ABC. Michael Symon and Daphne Oz will also visit the Orange County State Fair.

PORGY AND BESS Cast to Perform at Harlem Week Kick Off
by Nicole Rosky - July 16, 2012


On Thursday, July 19, 2012, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg kicks off the 38th anniversary of HARLEM WEEK with an official Gala Reception at Gracie Mansion. The afternoon affair will include an excerpt performance by the 2012 Tony award winning cast of Porgy & Bess. In addition to the performance, HARLEM WEEK will honor Carib News on its 30th Anniversary; Sylvia Woods in honor of Sylvia's Restaurants 50th Anniversary; and Jackie Rowe Adams in honor of her tireless community activism and commitment to antiviolence.

TV: PORGY AND BESS Performs at Broadway in Bryant Park 2012!
by Nicole Rosky - July 12, 2012


The best of Broadway will be presented FREE on six consecutive Thursdays this summer with "106.7 Lite FM's Broadway in Bryant Park 2012" - a lunchtime series beginning July 12 at 12:30 p.m. on the Bryant Park Stage. Sponsored by Resorts World Casino New York City and hosted by Lite FM's on-air personalities, the twelfth annual presentation of open-air, On- and Off- Broadway lunch hour performances will run through August 16. Click below to check out the performances from the cast of Porgy and Bess, which included 'Summertime,' 'A Woman Is A Sometime Thing,' and 'I Got Plenty o' Nuttin.'

THE FRIDAY SIX: Q&As with Your Favorite Broadway Stars-Joshua Henry
by BWW - July 13, 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 Joshua, who is starring as 'Jake' in THE GERSHWINS' PORGY & BESS- currently playing at the Richard Rodgers Theatre!

PORGY AND BESS' Sumayya Ali and David Hughey Guest Star on STANDING BY Series Premiere, 7/3
by BWW News Desk - July 2, 2012


UPSTAIRS LANDING PRODUCTIONS launches the interview web series, "Standing By" on July 3rd, 2012 with special guests Sumayya Ali and David Hughey of the Tony winning best revival of "The Gershwins' Porgy And Bess".

Audra McDonald Will Return to PORGY & BESS Tonight
by Jessica Lewis - July 3, 2012


As BroadwayWorld reported yesterday, Audra McDonald, the five-time Tony winning star of PORGY & BESS, will indeed be returning to the show today following a 2-week doctor-mandated hiatus.

THE FRIDAY SIX: Q&As with Your Favorite Broadway Stars- Nikki Renee Daniels!
by BWW - June 29, 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 Nikki Renee Daniels, who is starring as 'Clara' in THE GERSHWINS' PORGY AND BESS- currently playing at the Richard Rodgers Theatre!

Photo Coverage: The Actors Fund Honors Norm Lewis at Benefit Lunch
by Kevin Thomas Garcia - June 21, 2012


Today, June 21, Tony Award nominee Norm Lewis was the guest of honor at a private luncheon benefitting The Actor's Fund. Producer Randie Levine-Miller is launching a new celebrity luncheon series to benefit the Fund and their efforts to support talent. BroadwayWorld was thrilled to be on hand for the event and brings you photo coverage below.

Audra McDonald Placed on Vocal Rest Through 7/3; Alicia Hall Moran Covers 'Bess' in PORGY & BESS
by Jessica Lewis - June 20, 2012


Producers of The Gershwins' PORGY AND BESS, the 2012 Tony Award winner for Best Revival of a Musical, announced today that Audra McDonald has been ordered on a period of complete vocal rest by her doctor through the end of the month. As a result of performing with a respiratory infection last week, her vocal cords have become inflamed to a point where she cannot sing. She is scheduled to return to the production on Tuesday, July 3, 2012.

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.

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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