BWW Reviews: THE GERSHWIN'S PORGY AND BESS is Full of Emotion at the Detroit Opera House
The Gershwin's Porgy and Bess is beautiful production both musically and visually that will be at the Detroit Opera House until March 9th. The national tour of the 2012 Tony Award for Best Musical revival is accompanied by a 23-piece orchestra and features many of Broadway cast members including Nathaniel Stampley as Porgy and Alicia Hall Moran as Bess.
The musical is set in fictional Catfish Row and tells the tale of people living there and their struggles with life, love, and loss. Stampley is brilliant as Porgy. From the moment he enters the stage, he owns it and earns the respect and love of the audience. Moran's Bess is emotional and honest. Her pain and confusion is raw and truthful and makes the audience root for her. Stampley and Moran have breathtaking voices that resonate throughout the theatre during the production. Their duets are beautiful and filled with emotion from the first note to the final one, especially "Bess, You Is My Woman Now" and "I Loves You, Porgy."
Denisha Ballew is Serena and has an incredible voice that stands out. Her "My Man's Gone Now" is absolutely fantastic and one of the highlights of the show. Kingsley Leggs is very entertaining as Sporting Life. His interactions with Danielle Lee Greaves who is Mariah brings some light-hearted moments to the show. Sumayya Ali and David Hughey, Clara and Jake respectively, open the show with "Summertime" and it is beautifully done with their exceptional voices. Alvin Crawford is intimidating as Crown and has a strong stage presence and singing voice.
The entire company of The Gershwin's Porgy and Bess is extremely talented. Every song is filled with emotion and performed to make the audience feel every moment of that emotion. Not only is the cast exceptionally gifted, the show is visually beautiful. With minimal props and set, the main focus of the stage is the lighting and the actors. Each scene is enhanced and brought to life through the use of lights and shadows of the actors. It is a really unique touch that adds to the production.
The Gershwin's Porgy and Bess is a beautiful musical that tells a tale of love, life, and loss. This production is wonderful in every way and worth a trip to the Detroit Opera House, but is only here for a limited time.
The Gershwin's Porgy and Bess is currently running until March 9th at the Detroit Opera House. For more information and tickets, visit www.BroadwayInDetroit.com.
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