Photo Coverage: Porgy and Bess at the Hollywood Bowl

By: Shira Greenberg Jul. 16, 2005

July 15th and 16th were the "Weekend Spectacular" at the Hollywood Bowl, with Broadway stars Audra McDonald and Brian Stokes Mitchell, with vocalist Wayne Brady in his Bowl debut, and pianist Thibaudet as soloists. Seventy years ago, George and Ira Gershwin created a sensation on Broadway with the premiere of their first opera, Porgy and Bess. The program features selections from this American masterpiece, as well as orchestral favorites and Thibaudet performing the famed Rhapsody in Blue. Songs performed from Porgy and Bess included "Summertime", "I Got Plenty of Nuttin'", and "It ain't necessarily so."

One of the largest natural amphitheaters in the world, with a seating capacity of nearly 18,000, the HOLLYWOOD BOWL has been the summer home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic since its official opening in 1922, and in 1991 gave its name to the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, a resident ensemble that has filled a special niche in the musical life of Southern California.

Photo Coverage: Porgy and Bess at the Hollywood Bowl Image

Audra McDonald

Brian Stokes Mitchell

The Paul Smith Singers

Wayne Brady

Brian Stokes Mitchell, Audra McDonald, and Wayne Brady

Final Bows

2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards - Live Stats

Best Ensemble - Top 3

1. The Lost Boys

22% of votes

2. Schmigadoon!

11.9% of votes

3. Chess

11.1% of votes

Vote Now! View Live Stats

Videos

View all Videos

Los Angeles SHOWS

	The Most Happy Fella North Coast Repertory Theatre (6/03-6/28)
	In the Blink of an Eye: A Musical Memoir The Pico (6/19-6/21)
	Melt : The Play The Marilyn Theatre at the Lee Strasberg Institute (6/11-6/13) PHOTOS
	Mentiras All Stars YouTube Theater (9/19-9/19)
	OTR: Provenance Chance Theater (7/29-7/29)
	2025/2026 Season of Shows LA Mirada Theatre (9/19-6/28)
	LP Vinyl Bar presents Harper Steele—SNL writer and star of the 2024 documentary Will & Harper LP Vinyl Bar (5/28-5/29)
	Female Documentarian Eastwood Performing Arts Center (5/14-5/25)
	Broadway Under the Stars - Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations Transcendence Theatre Company (6/12-6/28)
	Peter Hook And The Light Hollywood Palladium (9/19-9/19)
VIEW ALL SHOWS ADD A SHOW