Court Theatre Extends Porgy and Bess Thru 7/3
Court Theatre announces new performance dates for its 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. The production has added 7:30PM Tuesday evening performances beginning June 21, 2011 and is now extended through Sunday, July 3, 2011 at Court Theatre, 5355 S Ellis Avenue. Tickets for the two-week extension are now on sale through the box office, www.courttheatre.org or (773) 753-4472.
Porgy and Bess opens Saturday, May 21, 2011.
Executive Director Stephen Albert says, "Porgy and Bess at Court Theatre, directed by Charles Newell, has created tremendous excitement and anticipation among our audience. Already the performances in May have sold out and early June is also moving fast. We are pleased to be able to add two more weeks to the run to meet popular demand and allow a large audience the opportunity to join us.
Porgy and Bess remains George Gershwin's magnum opus, with an unforgettable score that includes songs ("Summertime," "It Ain't Necessarily So") later recorded by popular musicians from Billie Holiday to Ella Fitzgerald. Coming off their 2008 Jeff Award-winning production of Caroline, or Change, Charles Newell and Doug Peck come face-to-face with one of the greatest-and most controversial-pieces of American musical theater ever created. Often denounced as a racially insensitive portrayal of black southerners, Newell and Peck, in collaboration with Resident Artist Ron OJ Parson, will present a thoughtful, never-before-seen retelling of the Gershwins' and Heywards' "folk opera" Porgy and Bess, a classic but contested piece of American theater history.
Title: The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess
Directed by: Charles Newell
Music &
Lyrics by: George and Ira Gershwin
Libretto: DuBose and Dorothy Heyward
Musical
Direction by: Doug Peck
Dates: Previews: May 12 - May 20, 2011
Press opening:Saturday, May 21, 2011 at 8 PM
Regular run: May 22 - June 19, 2011
Extension: through July 3, 2011
Schedule: Wed & Thurs: 7:30 p.m.
Fridays: 8:00 p.m.
Saturdays: 3:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m.
Sundays: 2:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Tues, Wed, Thurs: 7:30pm
Fridays: 8:00pm
Saturdays: 3:00pm & 8:00pm
Sundays: 3:00pm & 7:30pm Location: Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Ave.
Tickets: $35-$45 previews
$45-$65 regular run
$50-$70 extension run
Box Office: Located at 5535 S. Ellis Avenue, Chicago; (773) 753-4472 or online www.CourtTheatre.org or PorgyandBessChicago.org
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