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.

"...I would like to congratulate the team behind the American Repertory Theater's production of THE GERSHWINS' PORGY AND BESS (which, incidentally, has been the trademarked title for all productions performed over the past fifteen years)...They have taken the heart of the piece and adapted it to the conventions of contemporary musical theatre and the result is an exhilarating and stunning theatrical experience."

-Michael Strunsky, The Ira and Leonore S. Gershwin Trusts

"Our family has enjoyed seeing this masterwork in opera houses all over the world and stagings of the opera are booked for years to come. Last week, at The American Repertory Theatre, we realized that PORGY also thrives exceedingly well in a musical theatre setting...As we sat in the theatre following the ovation, our family shared with each other how unprecedentedly entertaining we found the performance."

-Marc George Gershwin, George Gershwin Family Trust

"I believe that the changes incorporated in this new version preserve DuBose's and Dorothy's intentions, while enhancing the portrayal of the story's characters and instilling a pace that maintains excitement from beginning to end."

-Albert J. Cardinali, The DuBose and Dorothy Heyward Memorial Fund

"...it is particularly important to me that new generations experience and enjoy the rich, historical and timeless music that my Great-Uncles left all of us. Diane, Suzan-Lori and Diedre have created a powerful and memorable production that will bring PORGY AND BESS's reach to a wider audience and a younger generation."

-Jonathan Keidan, George Gershwin Family Trust

THE GERSHWINS' PORGY AND BESS will begin previews on Saturday, December 17, 2011 and open on Thursday, January 12th, 2012 at the Richard Rodgers Theatre (226 West 46th Street, between 8th Avenue and Broadway).

 

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