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

The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess
8 / 10

In the end, though, this is an approachable and heartfelt version of Porgy and Bess that showcases George Gershwin's glorious melodies and the bottomless talents of McDonald. Her Bess is a complex, three-dimensional figure both classic and contemporary, the stuff of Greek tragedy and of countless Lifetime movies. She's a scarred woman who defines herself by the men in her life — men who are too often abusive bullies. And when she encounters a big-hearted man worthy of her affections, she has too little self-esteem to assert her heart's truest desires or think herself worthy of her good fortune. And as played by McDonald with the full force of her vocal and acting abilities, Bess becomes an unforgettable and iconic American character. Bess, you is all of our woman now.

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.

BWW 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!

BWW 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 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Hear dat? Gawd's laughin' at you!...
Dem dat is in such a hurry to meet de judgement...
Yes boss, we swear to that...
Was Crown killed here, yes or no?...
I got to an' look, look at Crown's face...
Here, boy, look what I brought for you...
Why, hello, if dere ain't Serena...
Bess is gone. An' Serena take dis chile...
You better stay wid yo' frien', Porgy...
Lonely Boy
Summer Time
Seems like these bones don't give me nothin' but box-cars tonight...
A man's got a right to play...
A Woman Is a Sometime Thing
Here come de honey man...
Hello, Peter...
They Pass by Singing
Crap Game Fugue
That damn whiskey jus' as weak as water...
Box-cars again...
Yo' mammy's gone and yo' daddy's happy...
Give me a pinch of happy dust, Sportin' Life...
Huh, seven!...
Oh, little stars...
Oh, stop them! Don' let them fight!...
Can't anybody make Crown stop?...
Jesus, he's killed him...
Gone, Gone, Gone!
Overflow
Um! A saucer burying set-up, I see...
You're a damn liar...
My Man's Gone Now
How de saucer stan' now my sister...
Leavin' fo' de Promis' Lan'
It Takes a Long Pull to Get There
Mus' be you mens forgot about de picnic...
I Got Plenty o' Nuttin'
Woman to Lady
Dey's a Bukra comin'...
'Lo Bess, goin' to picnic?...
Bess, You Is My Woman Now
Oh, I Can't Sit Down
What's de matter wid you, sister?...
It Ain't Necessarily So
Dance [i]
Here there! Hold yo' holt. I'se a comin'...
Crown, I got something to tell you...
What You Want With Bess?
Lemme go, hear dat boat, it's goin' without me!...
Honey, dat's all de breakfast I got time for...
Well, if it ain't ole Peter!...
Time and Time Again
Strawberry Woman
Crab Man
Now de time, oh Gawd. Now de time...
I Loves You, Porgy
Why you been out on that wharf so long, Clara?...
Oh, de Lawd Shake de Heaven
Oh, dere's somebody knockin' at de do'...
You is a nice parcel of Christians...
Here, cut dat out! Stop it!...
Ha ha ha ha ha ha, dat's right, drown 'em out...
A Red Headed Woman
Jake's boat in de river upside down...
Oh, Doctor Jesus [ii]
Clara, Don't You Be Downhearted
You low-lived skunk, ain' you got no shame...
Wait for us at the corner, Al...
We swear to dat, Boss...
Of course, you're the goat man...
I can't look at Crown's face...
Oh Gawd! They goin' make him look on Crown's face...
There's a Boat That's Leavin' Soon for New York
Occupational Humoresque
Good mornin', sistuh! Good mornin', brudder!...
Sure to go to Heaven...
How are you dis mornin'?...
It's Porgy comin' home...
Jus' you wait till dat gal see me...
Here, hol' on, let me see dat chile...
Where's My Bess?
Where Bess gone?...
Where you goin', Porgy?...
I'm on My Way
Jasbo Brown
Roll dem bones...
If you hadn't been drinkin' you wouldn't talk to me that way...
He got better sense than to listen to that nonsense...
He sure loves his liquor...
That gal ain't need to worry 'bout no man marryin' her...
I shoots like that...
Frien' an' dice an' happy dust ain' meant to 'sociate
Nobody's gettin' away wid Crown's money...
That's easy, I thought as much...
Listen there, what I tells you...
I hates yo' struttin' style...
Good mornin' Mister Archdale...
Look out, dat's a buzzard!
Buzzard Song
I Ain't Got No Shame
Dance [ii]
Shame on all you sinners...
I can't stay, Crown, or de boat'll go without me...
Take yo' hands off me, I say...
Honey Man
You ain't got nuttin' to be afraid of...
Hurricane bell! Lawd chile, dere ain't goin' be no hurricane...
Oh, Hev'nly Father
Oh, de sun goin' rise in de wes'...
The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess has had 21 productions including Broadway which opened in 1935, Broadway which opened in 1935, Broadway which opened in 1942, Broadway which opened in 1942, Broadway which opened in 1943, Broadway which opened in 1943, Broadway which opened in 1944, Broadway which opened in 1944, West End which opened in 1952, Broadway which opened in 1953, Broadway which opened in 1953, Off-Broadway which opened in 1961, Off-Broadway which opened in 1964, Broadway which opened in 1976, Broadway which opened in 1976, Broadway which opened in 1983, Broadway which opened in 1983, Broadway which opened in 2000, West End which opened in 2006, Broadway which opened in 2012 and US Tour which opened in 2013.
The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess has been nominated for the following Tony Awards: Best Costume Design of a Musical for ESosa, Best Direction of a Musical for Diane Paulus, Best Lighting Design of a Musical for Christopher Akerlind, Best Orchestrations for William David Brohn and Christopher Jahnke, Best Revival of a Musical for The Leonore S. Gershwin 1987 Trust, American Repertory Theater, Freitag Productions/Koenigsberg Filerman, Terry Schnuck, Mark S. Golub & David S. Golub, Joseph & Matthew Deitch, Cheryl Wiesenfeld/Brunish Trinchero/Lucio Simons TBC, Howard Kagan, Rebecca Gold, Jerry Frankel, Jeffrey Richards, Universal Pictures Stage Productions, Ken Mahoney, Judith Resnick, Tulchin/Bartner/ATG, Paper Boy Productions, Christopher Hart, Alden Badway, Broadway Across America, Irene Gandy, Will Trice, and Best Sound Design of a Musical for Acme Sound Partners.
The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess has won the following Tony Awards: - Best Costume Design of a Musical for ESosa - Best Direction of a Musical for Diane Paulus - Best Lighting Design of a Musical for Christopher Akerlind - Best Orchestrations for William David Brohn - Best Orchestrations for Christopher Jahnke - Best Revival of a Musical for The Leonore S. Gershwin 1987 Trust - Best Revival of a Musical for American Repertory Theater - Best Revival of a Musical for Freitag Productions/Koenigsberg Filerman - Best Revival of a Musical for Terry Schnuck - Best Revival of a Musical for Mark S. Golub & David S. Golub - Best Revival of a Musical for Joseph & Matthew Deitch - Best Revival of a Musical for Cheryl Wiesenfeld/Brunish Trinchero/Lucio Simons TBC - Best Revival of a Musical for Howard Kagan - Best Revival of a Musical for Rebecca Gold - Best Revival of a Musical for Jerry Frankel - Best Revival of a Musical for Jeffrey Richards - Best Revival of a Musical for American Repertory Theater - Best Revival of a Musical for Universal Pictures Stage Productions - Best Revival of a Musical for Ken Mahoney - Best Revival of a Musical for Judith Resnick - Best Revival of a Musical for Tulchin/Bartner/ATG - Best Revival of a Musical for Paper Boy Productions - Best Revival of a Musical for Christopher Hart - Best Revival of a Musical for Alden Badway - Best Revival of a Musical for Broadway Across America - Best Revival of a Musical for Irene Gandy - Best Revival of a Musical for Will Trice - Best Revival of a Musical for The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess - Best Sound Design of a Musical for Acme Sound Partners Please note that the list includes both wins and nominations for the show.
The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess has been nominated for several awards. These include Outstanding Revival of a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards, Outstanding Sound Design in a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for Acme Sound Partners, Distinguished Performance Award at the Drama League Awards for Audra McDonald, Distinguished Performance Award at the Drama League Awards for Norm Lewis, Distinguished Revival of a Musical at the Drama League Awards, Outstanding Revival of a Musical (Broadway or Off-Broadway) at the Outer Critics Circle Awards, and Outstanding Debut Performance at the Theatre World Awards for Phillip Boykin.
The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess has won several awards, including Outstanding Revival of a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards, Outstanding Sound Design in a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for Acme Sound Partners, Distinguished Performance Award at the Drama League Awards for Audra McDonald, Distinguished Performance Award at the Drama League Awards for Norm Lewis, Distinguished Revival of a Musical at the Drama League Awards, Outstanding Revival of a Musical (Broadway or Off-Broadway) at the Outer Critics Circle Awards, and Outstanding Debut Performance at the Theatre World Awards for Phillip Boykin.

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