Dorothy Heyward

Review: PORGY AND BESS at Houston Grand Opera
by Armando Urdiales - Oct 25, 2025

As Houston performing arts ventures grow for the 2025-26 season, Houston Grand Opera surpasses them all with a thrilling 50th anniversary production of Gershwin's Porgy and Bess. Starring powerhouse performers Angel Blue and Michael Sumuel in the title roles, this theatrical staging further cements HGO's monolithic presence not only in Houston but in the world of opera at large.

Gershwin’s PORGY AND BESS Gets Brazilian-made, Black-led Revival at Theatro Municipal of São Paulo
by Claudio Erlichman - Sep 8, 2025

Porgy and Bess is a famous 'folk opera' created by George Gershwin, with a libretto by DuBose Heyward and lyrics by DuBose and Ira Gershwin. The work chronicles the life of a Black community on Catfish Row in Charleston and is known for its fusion of operatic elements with American folk music, jazz, and blues. The story focuses on the love between Porgy, a disabled beggar, and Bess, a woman seeking a better life.

Review: PORGY AND BESS at Kennedy Center
by David Friscic - May 27, 2025

The pivotal and star-crossed main characters and the Catfish Row community come alive in the highly influential, thought-provoking, and engrossing opera Porgy and Bess. This much discussed opera has its partisans and detractors but there is a distinct need to ponder and consider a work of this quality. This Washington National Opera production beautifully melds content and form in this story of a crippled man (Porgy) who must travel the lonely road (“When Gawd make cripple, He means him to be lonely. Night time, day time, He got to travel that lonesome road.”) to find wholeness with the easily gratified yet complex and caring Bess.

Premiere Stages at Kean University to Present Camp Premiere 2025
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 4, 2025

Premiere Stages will present that Camp Premiere, the annual summer theatre program for middle school and high school students, will be held on Kean University's Nathan Weiss East Campus in Enlow Recital Hall. Learn how to register.

Premiere Stages' Season Continues In September With DIVERSION
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 21, 2024

Premiere Stages will present DIVERSION from September 5-22, exploring compelling themes and dynamic performances at Kean University.

Premiere Stages At Kean University Announces 2024 Premiere Play Festival Finalists
by A.A. Cristi - May 24, 2024

Premiere Stages at Kean University has announced the finalists for the 2024 Premiere Play Festival, showcasing new and innovative works from emerging playwrights.

Cast and Creatives Set For PORGY AND BESS at Music Theater Heritage
by Stephi Wild - May 15, 2024

Music Theater Heritage has announced the cast and creative team for The Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess. Performances run June 6 through June 23.

Premiere Stages At Kean University Announces Semi-Finalists For 2024 Play Festival
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 30, 2024

Premiere Stages at Kean University reveals the semi-finalists for the 2024 Play Festival. Discover the up-and-coming playwrights in the spotlight this year.

New Plays Take Center Stage In The Premiere Stages 2024 Season
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 18, 2024

Discover the new plays set to take the spotlight in the Premiere Stages 2024 Season. This year, expect innovative storytelling and unique performances from a diverse range of playwrights.

Premiere Stages At Kean University Announces 2024 Bauer Boucher Playwriting Award Winners
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 23, 2024

Premiere Stages at Kean University announces the winners of the 2024 Bauer Boucher Playwriting Awards, recognizing Kean University student Riv Dabul and alumnus Dustin Ballard. Both winners will receive a cash prize and a developmental reading of their plays.

Premiere Stages at Kean University Reveals Play Festival Winners and Commission Recipients
by Stephi Wild - Oct 11, 2023

Premiere Stages at Kean University has announced four playwrights selected for expanded development as part of the 2023 and 2024 seasons. Learn more about the playwrights here!

Premiere Stages' SELLING KABUL Begins Performances This Week
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 7, 2023

Premiere Stages' production of Sylvia Khoury's play Selling Kabul will begin performances this week in Kean University's Bauer Boucher Theatre Center (Vaughn Eames Hall, 1000 Morris Avenue, Union, N.J.). Selling Kabul was a finalist for the 2022 Pulitzer in Drama and this production serves as the New Jersey Premiere.

Premiere Stages At Kean University Seeks Submissions To Annual Play Festival
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 1, 2023

Premiere Stages, the professional theatre company in residence at Kean University, is accepting submissions for the 19th annual Premiere Play Festival beginning Friday, September 1.

Cast Set For Premiere Stages' SELLING KABUL
by Stephi Wild - Aug 15, 2023

Premiere Stages at Kean University will present the New Jersey Premiere of Sylvia Khoury’s Selling Kabul September 7-24 in Kean University’s Bauer Boucher Theatre Center (Vaughn Eames Hall, 1000 Morris Avenue, Union, N.J.). Directed by Taylor Reynolds, Selling Kabul will feature actors Atra Asdou, Anat Cogan, Afsheen Misaghi, and Zaven Ovian.

Music Theater Heritage Announces SWEENEY TODD, LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, And More For 22nd Season
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 2, 2023

In perhaps its most ambitious season to date, Music Theater Heritage has announced bold and imaginative programming for its 2024 season. Utilizing three different venues, MTH's 22nd Season highlights stories that orbit around the power of love and the lengths we take to protect it. The season includes Tony Award winners, re-imaginings, original concert productions, and represents some of the most celebrated dramatists, composers, and songwriters of the 20th century. 

Premiere Stages To Produce Erin Breznitsky's SATELLITES, July 13- 30
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 27, 2023

Premiere Stages at Kean University will present the Premiere of Erin Breznitsky's Satellites July 13-30 in Kean University's Bauer Boucher Theatre Center (Vaughn Eames Hall, 1000 Morris Avenue, Union, N.J.).

Premiere Stages at Kean University Names 2023 Premiere Play Festival Finalists
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 24, 2023

Premiere Stages, the professional theatre company in residence at Kean University, has selected its four finalists for the 2023 Premiere Play Festival.

Premiere Stages At Kean University Announces Semi-Finalists For 2023 Play Festival
by A.A. Cristi - May 5, 2023

Premiere Stages, the professional theatre company in residence at Kean University, has announced the 2023 Premiere Play Festival Semi-Finalists.

Premiere Stages at Kean University Announces Camp Premiere 2023
by Stephi Wild - Feb 2, 2023

Premiere Stages, the professional theatre company at Kean University,  has announced that Camp Premiere, the annual summer theatre program for middle school and high school students, will be held on Kean University's East Campus.   

Premiere Stages At Kean University Announces 2023 Bauer Boucher Playwriting Award Winners
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 18, 2023

Premiere Stages, the professional theatre company in residence at Kean University, has named Kean University student Chad Colacurcio (Class of '23) and alumnus Steven Patrick (Class of '78 ) as the winners of the 2023 Bauer Boucher Playwriting Awards, named for longtime donors W. John Bauer and Nancy Boucher.