JD Webster News

Whether you've been living under a rock for the past week, or you're just in the mood for a recap of everything theatre, BroadwayWorld's feature, 'This Week in Pictures' is here to satisfy your end of the week fix. Take a look below to catch up on the latest happenings from the Great White Way to the West End (and everywhere in between) with coverage of press events, rehearsals, opening nights and more! For last week's biggest events: visit THIS WEEK IN PICTURES: January 7-13.

The Gershwins' PORGY AND BESS officially opened on Thursday, January 12th, 2012 at the Richard Rodgers Theatre (226 West 46th Street). The 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. The cast also includes Phillip Boykin as Crown, Nikki Renée Daniels as Clara, Joshua Henry as Jake, Christopher Innvar as Detective, Bryonha Marie Parham as Serena and NaTasha Yvette Williams as Mariah, as well as Sumayya Ali, Allison Blackwell, Roosevelt André Credit, Trevon Davis, Joseph Dellger, Wilkie Ferguson, Carmen Ruby Floyd, Gavin Gregory, Heather Hill, David Hughey, Andrea Jones-Sojola, Alicia Hall Moran, Cedric Neal, Phumzile Sojola, Nathaniel Stampley, Julius Thomas III, J.D. Webster and Lisa Nicole Wilkerson. Check out the just-released promo for the show below!

A long-standing opening night tradition on the Great White Way, the fabled Gypsy Robe is bestowed upon a veteran Broadway chorus member for each opening production. In what has now become a theatrical ritual, originating on Broadway 60 years ago, the latest receipient was THE GERSHWINS' PORGY AND BESS cast member J.D. Webster at the Richard Rogers Theatre in New York City.

Last night, January 12, The Gershwin's Porgy and Bess starring Audra McDonald, Norm Lewis and David Alan Grier, opened at the Richard Rodger's Theatre on Broadway. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the celebratory after party at the McKittrick Hotel and brings you photo coverage below!

Last night, January 12, The Gershwin's Porgy and Bess starring Audra McDonald, Norm Lewis and David Alan Grier, opened at the Richard Rodger's Theatre on Broadway. Check out the starry theatre arrivals below!

Check out photos below of Audra McDonald, Norm Lewis, David Alan Grier & company lighting up the stage during the show's opening night curtain call celebration on Thursday, January 12!

2012 is just around the corner, and there are a plethora of shows in store for this new Broadway season. From brand new musicals to vintage plays and West End transfers to American classics, 2012's upcoming shows should surely lead to a stellar awards season this spring. Check out a preview of all 21 announced productions below!

The Gershwins' PORGY AND BESS opens on Thursday, January 12th, 2012 at the Richard Rodgers Theatre (226 West 46th Street, between 8th Avenue and Broadway). Tickets are now on sale at Ticketmaster.com or by calling 877-250-2929. In the video below, leading lady Audra McDonald chats about what it's like to take on the iconic character.

The Gershwins' PORGY AND BESS begins previews tonight and opens on Thursday, January 12th, 2012 at the Richard Rodgers Theatre (226 West 46th Street, between 8th Avenue and Broadway). Tickets are now on sale at Ticketmaster.com or by calling 877-250-2929.

The producers of The Gershwins' PORGY AND BESS have just announced the complete cast of the show, which begin previews on Saturday, December 17th, 2011 and opens on Thursday, January 12th, 2012 at the Richard Rodgers Theatre (226 West 46th Street, between 8th Avenue and Broadway). Tickets are now on sale at Ticketmaster.com or by calling 877-250-2929.

J.D.'s varied career has encompassed Broadway, opera, concert work and 17 Encores! shows.

In a new interview with the LA Times out today, Audra McDonald addresses the 'perceived racism' in the upcoming Broadway transfer of Porgy & Bess that has haunted the show for some time. Noting the difference between artistic archetypes utilized in Porgy & Bess vs. stereotypes, McDonald is nothing short of a Porgy champion.

A.R.T. American Repertory Theater's (A.R.T.) production of The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess, by George Gershwin, DuBose and Dorothy Heyward, and Ira Gershwin will close on October 2 before moving to Broadway. 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, began previews on August 17. The production will begin previews at the Richard Rogers Theatre on December 17, 2011 in anticipation of a January 12, 2012 Broadway opening.

On August 31, American Repertory Theatre opened The Gershwins' PORGY AND BESS. Written by Ira Gershwin, George Gershwin, DuBose and Dorothy Heyward, the A.R.T. production features an adaptation by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Suzan-Lori Parks and Obie Award-winning composer Diedre L. Murray. It is directed by A.R.T. Artistic Director Diane Paulus, with choreography by Ronald K. Brown. The show began previews on August 17 and is planning a Broadway transfer this winter. The production is scheduled to begin previews at the Richard Rogers Theatre on December 17, 2011 in anticipation of a January 12, 2012 Broadway opening. The marquee is going up at the Richard Rogers, and BroadwayWorld brings you photos below!

On August 31, American Repertory Theatre opened The Gershwins' PORGY AND BESS. Written by Ira Gershwin, George Gershwin, DuBose and Dorothy Heyward, the A.R.T. production features an adaptation by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Suzan-Lori Parks and Obie Award-winning composer Diedre L. Murray. It is directed by A.R.T. Artistic Director Diane Paulus, with choreography by Ronald K. Brown. The show began previews on August 17 and is planning a Broadway transfer this winter. The production is scheduled to begin previews at the Richard Rogers Theatre on December 17, 2011 in anticipation of a January 12, 2012 Broadway opening. The first footage of the show has been released in a new commercial spot and BroadwayWorld brings you a first look below!

A.R.T.'s soaring pre-Broadway revision of 'The Gershwin's Porgy and Bess' offers many grace notes and an exquisite cast

A.R.T. American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) will present The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess, opening the A.R.T.'s 2011-2 season tonight, August 17 at the Loeb Drama Center. The Gershwin's Porgy and Bess, by George Gershwin, DuBose and Dorothy Heyward, and Ira Gershwin, is adapted by Suzan-Lori Parks and Diedre Murray, and directed by A.R.T. Artistic Director Diane Paulus. Check out the first production shots below!

American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) has scheduled two American Sign Language (ASL) interpreted performances and two audio described performances of The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess during the month of September.