Based on the play Porgy by Dorothy and DuBose Heyward
The 2013-2014 Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre season was announced today by CTG Artistic Director Michael Ritchie.
Today in 1942, the first revival of Porgy and Bess opened at the Majestic Theatre, where it ran for 286 performances. First performed in 1935, with music by George Gershwin, libretto by DuBose Heyward, and lyrics by Ira Gershwin and DuBose Heyward, it was based on DuBose Heyward's novel Porgy and subsequent play of the same title, which he co-wrote with his wife Dorothy Heyward. All three works deal with African-American life in the fictitious Catfish Row in Charleston, South Carolina, in the early 1920s. Originally conceived by George Gershwin as an 'American folk opera', Porgy and Bess premiered in New York in the fall of 1935 and featured an entire cast of classically trained African-American singers-a daring artistic choice at the time.
Today in 1943, Porgy and Bess opened at the 44th Street Theatre, where it ran for 24 performances. First performed in 1935, with music by George Gershwin, libretto by DuBose Heyward, and lyrics by Ira Gershwin and DuBose Heyward, it was based on DuBose Heyward's novel Porgy and subsequent play of the same title, which he co-wrote with his wife Dorothy Heyward. All three works deal with African-American life in the fictitious Catfish Row in Charleston, South Carolina, in the early 1920s. Originally conceived by George Gershwin as an 'American folk opera', Porgy and Bess premiered in New York in the fall of 1935 and featured an entire cast of classically trained African-American singers-a daring artistic choice at the time.
The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. The 2012 Equity Jeff Award nominees, 'Xanadu' at Drury Lane, upcoming shows at Porchlight and Theo Ubique, dueling 'Assassins,' a summer theater surprise and more!
Fountain Hills Theater has announced its exciting 2012-13 Season. In what may be the most ambitious season yet presented, FHT brings six great Mainstage shows, four shows mounted in the all-new Mainstage Too, four productions in the Youth Theater and two special engagements. Note that Mainstage Too is brand new this season - when the Youth Theater is dark, FHT will be presenting smaller comedies, plays and musicals in this venue. See full details below.
Cape Town Opera are set to bring their acclaimed production of The Gershwins' PORGY AND BESS to Birmingham Hippodrome for the first time, opening tonight, 6 June through Saturday 9 June. The dates mark the first performances of their forthcoming UK tour prior to a two week run in London.
Cape Town Opera will bring their acclaimed production of The Gershwins' PORGY AND BESS to Birmingham Hippodrome for the first time, opening during Jubilee Bank Holiday week from Wednesday 6 - Saturday 9 June. The dates mark the first performances of their forthcoming UK tour prior to a two week run in London.
BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge brings you interviews with the stars in attendance at the 78th Annual Drama League Awards luncheon, held yesterday, May 18. Below, Ridge speaks with co-hosts John Larouquette and Stockard Channing, presenter Donna Murphy, honorary co-chairs Cynthia Nixon and Judith Light, nominees Audra McDonald and Norm Lewis (The Gershwin's Porgy and Bess), Linda Lavin (The Lyons), Nicky Silver (The Lyons), Russell Harvard (Tribes), Da'Vine Joy Randolph (Ghost), Cristin Milioti (Once), Matthew Broderick and Kelli O'Hara and Joe DiPietro (Nick Work If You Can Get It) and more!
The Drama League announced today the winners for the 78th Annual Drama League Awards: Distinguished Play, Other Desert Cities, presented by Philip Seymour Hoffman; Distinguished Revival of a Play, Death of a Salesman, presented by Christian Borle; Distinguished Production of a Musical, Once, presented by Cynthia Nixon; Distinguished Revival of a Musical, Follies, presented by Kelli O'Hara; and Distinguished Performance, Audra McDonald, presented by John Lithgow at a star-studded luncheon ceremony hosted by Stockard Channing (Other Desert Cities) and John Larroquette (Gore Vidal's The Best Man) at the Marriott Marquis Times Square.
Cape Town Opera returns to the UK this June & July for a tour of their acclaimed Porgy and Bess, culminating in a two week run at the London Coliseum. Tsakane Maswanganyi, who previously thrilled audiences in the title role of Carmen Jones at the Royal Festival Hall will play Bess, while Xolela Sixaba will reprise the role of Porgy having won great acclaim for his performance in 2009.
Cape Town Opera are set to bring their acclaimed production of The Gershwins' PORGY AND BESS to Birmingham Hippodrome for the first time, opening Wednesday 6 - Saturday 9 June. The dates mark the first performances of their forthcoming UK tour prior to a two week run in London.
The Drama League has gathered together a team of Broadway's best to serve as Honorary Co-Chairs for the 78th Annual Drama League Awards set for Friday, May 18, 2012 at 12:00 p.m., at the Marriott Marquis Times Square (1535 Broadway). The team of Broadway luminaries includes Nina Arianda, Christian Borle, Norbert Leo Butz, Kathleen Chalfant, Raul Esparza, Rosemary Harris, Jeremy Jordan, Christine Lahti, Linda Lavin, Norm Lewis, Judith Light, Audra McDonald, Cynthia Nixon, Denis O'Hare and Blair Underwood. The Honorary Co-Chairs serve as ambassadors for The Drama League Awards and the excellence of the New York theatre season, and welcome the attendees of the Awards Luncheon at a cocktail reception before the event.
In our time and place, the great Marriott Theatre to the north of Chicago, in Lincolnshire, in the collar county of Lake, has mounted a production of "The Pirates of Penzance" which officially opened this past weekend, and will run through June 10, 2012. It's directed by Dominic Missimi, a visionary musical theater director and teacher with vast experience and influence across the country, and especially here.
The Drama League has announced Drama League nominee Megan Hilty (9 To 5, "Smash") and Justin Long (Seminar) will co-host the announcement of the The 2012 Drama League Nominees for Distinguished Production of a Play, Distinguished Production of a Musical, Distinguished Revival of a Play, Distinguished Revival of a Musical, and the much coveted Distinguished Performance Award on Tuesday, April 24, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at Sardi's. As in years past, the nominations ceremony will be broadcast worldwide via live stream right here on BroadwayWorld!
The revised book of The Gershwin's Porgy and Bess has been the subject of much discussion since it's debut at A.R.T. last August, and according to Patrick Healy of the New York Times, there is still debate over its Tony eligibility. Last week, when the Tony administration committee made a decision regarding David Alan Grier's eligibility as a featured actor, they 'took no action' with the musical's updated book (by Suzan-Lori Parks and Diedre Murray), thus making it ineligible for a 'Best Book' Tony Award.
The Drama League has announced that this year's 78th Annual Drama League Awards will be hosted by Tony Award winners Stockard Channing (Other Desert Cities) and John Larroquette (Gore Vidal's The Best Man). The awards ceremony is set for Friday afternoon, May 18th at the Marriott Marquis Times Square (1535 Broadway) at Noon. This year's Drama League Award Nominees will be announced Tuesday morning, April 24th at Sardi's.
The Drama League will honor three outstanding theatre luminaries at this year's 78th Annual Drama League Awards set for Friday afternoon, May 18th at the Marriott Marquis Times Square.
George Gershwin's 'American folk opera,' Porgy and Bess, premiered in New York City in the fall of 1935, one year after the opening of The Apollo Theater. Both the play, and the theater, became icons within African-American culture. So it's only fitting, and perhaps overdue, that they would eventually join forces.
Let's just say, for the moment, that I owned the Venus de Milo. I don't know how it happened. Maybe some ancient Greek stone cuttings were found that led to a Middle Ages parchment that inspired someone to do some research on ancestry.com, but in any case, it has been indisputably determined that I am the sole owner of sculptor Alexandros of Antioch's Venus de Milo.
Hottest Articles on BroadwayWorld.com from this weekend Sunday, January 22, 2012 - Sunday, January 22, 2012.
Today in 1942, the first revival of Porgy and Bess opened at the Majestic Theatre, where it ran for 286 performances. First performed in 1935, with music by George Gershwin, libretto by DuBose Heyward, and lyrics by Ira Gershwin and DuBose Heyward, it was based on DuBose Heyward's novel Porgy and subsequent play of the same title, which he co-wrote with his wife Dorothy Heyward. All three works deal with African-American life in the fictitious Catfish Row in Charleston, South Carolina, in the early 1920s. Originally conceived by George Gershwin as an 'American folk opera', Porgy and Bess premiered in New York in the fall of 1935 and featured an entire cast of classically trained African-American singers-a daring artistic choice at the time.
The Gershwins' PORGY AND BESS opened tonight, Thursday, January 12th, 2012 at the Richard Rodgers Theatre starring Audra McDonald as Bess, Norm Lewis as Porgy and David Alan Grier as Sporting Life. Let's see what the critics had to say!
Each year, the Library of Congress selects twenty-five culturally, historically or aesthetically significant films to be added to the National Film Registry and preserved. This year's films spanned everything from cartoons (Bambi) to silent films (The Kid) - and a film that inspired a Broadway show as well as a Broadway show that inspired the film.
Following a short tour in 2009 Cape Town Opera returns to the UK in 2012 to bring its production of Porgy and Bess to Birmingham, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Canterbury and Southampton before arriving in London for a two week run at the London Coliseum.
Back in August, a controversy arose from a New York Yimes article that explained director Diane Paulus' new vision for the ART production, and soon to be Broadway transfer, of THE GERSHWINS' PORGY AND BESS. Specifically in reponse to Paulus' new 'final scene,' which gave the musical a more upbeat ending, theatre legend Stephen Sondheim wrote a memorable letter to the NYT about his thuoghts on the re-interpretation.
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