Ira Gershwin News

Court Theatre's production of the Gershwins' Porgy and Bess, directed by Artistic Director Charles Newell, with Artistic Consultant Ron OJ Parson and Music Direction by Doug Peck, will close on July 3.

A.R.T. American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) opens its 2011-12 season with The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess, by George Gershwin, DuBose and Dorothy Heyward, and Ira Gershwin. The adaptation by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Suzan-Lori Parks and Obie Award-winning composer Diedre L. Murray, directed by A.R.T. Artistic Director Diane Paulus, with choreography by Ronald K. Brown, begins previews on August 17 and opens for the reviewing press on August 31 at 7pm. Performances are at the Loeb Drama Center, 64 Brattle Street, Cambridge. Tickets for preview performances are currently on sale, remaining tickets for the run go on sale on July 12.

Guilford resident Michael P. Cartwright will entertain audiences with his cabaret revue I Hear Music on Monday, July 18, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. at the Ivoryton Playhouse.

On June 25, the Adelaide Cabaret Festival wrapped up its 11th annual celebration of that art form in grand style, proving that the art of cabaret is very much alive.

On a weekend when New Yorkers who favor marriage rights for gay couples are celebrating an important victory, Classic Stage Company's Unnatural Acts is a sobering dramatization of a shameful episode involving a Joseph McCarthy-type gay witch hunt from nearly a century ago that was only recently uncovered.

Seattle Opera opens its 2011/12 season this summer with Porgy and Bess, the masterpiece by George Gershwin, DuBose and Dorothy Heyward, and Ira Gershwin.

MICHAEL FEINSTEIN, the platinum-selling vocalist and pianist, will release We Dreamed These Days, his new CD recorded with the Carmel Symphony Orchestra, on June 21. The disc, released through DuckHole Records, is available on iTunes, Amazon.com and in stores.

Artistic director Timothy Sheader will direct George and Ira Gershwin's hit musical comedy, Crazy for You as the final show in the 2011 season at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre from 28 July - 10 September. The creative team from the multi-award winning production of Hello, Dolly! reunite as Stephen Mear choreographs and Peter McKintosh designs. Gareth Valentine returns as the musical director after joining the Open Air Theatre last season for Sondheim's Into the Woods.

Three time Tony Award-winner Kathleen Marshall (Anything Goes, Pajama Game, Wonderful Town) will direct and choreograph the new musical comedy NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT starring Tony Award-winner Matthew Broderick (The Producers, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Brighton Beach Memoirs).

According to published reports, stage and screen star Matthew Broderick will replace Harry Connick Jr. in the upcoming Broadway production of the Gershwin musical Nice Work If You Can Get It. Additionally, Tony winner Kathleen Marshall, who left the project a while ago, is back on board to direct.