Porgy and Bess - 1935 - Broadway Articles Page 1

Dibuk – The Musical opens April 23 at Teatro Sérgio Cardoso for a limited run through May 31, 2026. Inspired by S. An-sky’s classic The Dybbuk, or Between Two Worlds, one of the most important works of Yiddish theater, the production reimagines the tragic love story of Leah and Hanan — often called the “Romeo and Juliet” of Jewish drama. Directed by Marcelo Klabin, the musical blends drama, music, dance and circus elements, with traditional Jewish dance at the heart of the storytelling. Featuring 31 actors, 44 original songs and a large-scale visual production, the show runs Thursdays to Saturdays at 8 PM and Sundays at 4 PM.

THE MUSIC OF US: FROM THEN TO NOW on 3/13 celebrated America's 250 years in music. The trio of phenomenal guest singers - Max Clayton, Nova Payton and Ephraim Sykes brought down the house at the famed venue. Bravo!

It wasn’t until later on in theatre history that revivals began including shows that weren’t initially well received or financially successful in their initial engagements. As musical theatre continued to evolve, and more shows entered the canon, a consensus began to grow about shows being worthy of additional exploration even if they hadn’t been hits the first time around. What about musicals that had been ahead of their time, musicals that had fallen prey to circumstances, early works by writers who became successful later on, and of course, shows that found an audience after closing via their cast recordings?

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.

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.

Be a part of history by attending the Florida premiere of this joyous work presented by Opera Orlando on May 16 thru 18 at the Alexis & Jim Pugh Theater at Dr. Phillips Center. 

This time, the reader question was: There are only three states in America without known Broadway musicals set within their borders. Can you guess which three? WE're breaking it down state by state.

The Dayton Performing Arts Alliance has revealed its 2025–2026 Season in the Wintergarden of the Benjamin and Miriam Schuster Performing Arts Center. Learn more!

The Beijing Music Festival has announced its 27th edition, 'Voices From Afar,' featuring diverse performances from October 5 to 13. Highlights include premieres of Porgy and Bess, Émigré, and Andy Akiho's latest work.

Now playing in the Grand Theater at Crown Center is Music Theater Heritage’s production of Gershwin’s “PORGY AND BESS.”  This is an example of MTH going “all in” on a very challenging show and producing an extremely credible final product. 

Music Theater Heritage, the professional theater in residence at Crown Center, has released first look photos from its production of The Gershwin's PORGY and BESS, the third production in MTH's 2024 Season.

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

When it comes to concerts, Audra McDonald says she’s learned to choose a song list that really appeals to her. And she’s done just that for her current tour, which will bring her to Symphony Hall for her eighth appearance with the Celebrity Series of Boston, this time with an orchestra of local musicians, on February 27.

Nevin Steinberg, the award-winning sound designer for such Broadway shows as Hamilton (2015), Sweeney Todd (2023), and Hadestown (2019), will become the President of the Board of Trustees of Town Hall.

MUSE/IQUE presents 'Gospel and the King: Elvis' at First Congregational Church LA on October 19 and 21.

This July, Des Moines Metro Opera (DMMO) will present the Iowa premiere of The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess in honor of international opera star and Iowa native Simon Estes upon the announcement of his operatic farewell.

Des Moines Metro Opera (DMMO) names Dr. Naomi André as Scholar-in-Residence for the 2022 Festival Season. The residency is made possible through a Humanities Iowa Grant from the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs. 

Another lovely early evening of pure dance bliss. Sun still shining on another ideal California spring day; the final performance in the three-part dance series by nine talented and soul-sharing dancers included Shari Washington Rhone, Justin Edmonson, Latrice Postell, Kacy Keys, Chris Smith, Tashara Gavin-Moorehead, Laura Ann Smyth, Alex Rasmussen and Bernard Brown; all a part of JazzAntiqua Dance & Music Ensemble. They performed mainly outside on the grounds surrounding the Library.​​​​​​​ This was the third and final performance of the Brand Associates Dance series that included Nickerson-Rossi Dance, Tropicaleiza and 4 weekends of workshops. Pat Taylor is a master at her craft. She created and is Artistic Director/Choreographer for the prestigious jazz dance company established in 1993. She not only chooses her music, dancers, production people, etc. to gel with her initial idea for a dance piece; she develops it with input from all the dancers as well, and creates through her emotions, her knowledge, love and history in Dance, and what she draws from each of her full-of-joy/life dancers... and they are into it! The program consists of excerpts from a new work they are now continuing to develop, after a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic, entitled “Songs My Mother Taught Me,” which, Pat Taylor explained, “celebrates music and reflections by renowned African-American women that are jazz artists, activists and engagers. It is a celebration of community, and a soul-stirring shout-out to living, learning and loving.

Yale Repertory Theatre will conclude its 2022 season with Between Two Knees. The play, written by the intertribal sketch comedy troupe The 1491s and directed by Eric Ting, is presented with Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Between Two Knees will be performed May 12–June 4 at Yale Repertory Theatre (1120 Chapel Street).

The Metropolitan Opera today announced its 2022–23 season, which features seven new productions, the most in ten seasons. Opening Night is September 27 with the company premiere of Cherubini’s Medea, starring soprano Sondra Radvanovsky in the title role alongside tenor Matthew Polenzani in David McVicar’s new staging, conducted by Carlo Rizzi.

Multiple Grammy/Emmy Award winner Gordon Goodwin returns to forefront of adventurous compositions and modern jazz with 'The Reset,' an urgent and topical 5-song EP, a bold foray into the intersection of composition and improvisation, a futuristic excursion brimming with purpose and cursive.

There are so many things to like about the season’s revival of Gershwin’s PORGY & BESS, which was new in the 2019-2020 season, before Covid became the “song” that no one wanted to hear. PORGY on the other hand, is the music that everybody can take a liking to, with its fluid combination of opera, Broadway musical and versions of spirituals and Gullah folk music that nobody ever heard before. It has been best known for its songs, which have become “standards” in the Broadway songbook. The stylistic shifts in the complex, yearning, comic score are handled mightily by the Met’s game orchestra under David Robinson.

Historical themes have always been incorporated into stage shows, from classic Broadway musicals to contemporary productions. Contrary to what some may believe, not all historical-themed productions are old Broadway musicals. Several historical musicals have gone on to become classics, though this is not specifically a golden age musicals list.

Des Moines Metro Opera's General and Artistic Director Michael Egel announced today the repertory for the company's 50th Anniversary Season alongside the launch of the public phase of a $15 million fundraising campaign, 50 Next: Giving Voice to the Future.

Martin Scorsese, Irwin Winkler and director John Carney are teaming up for a new film based on composer George Gershwin. Titled Fascinating Rhythm, the movie is described as 'a young woman’s magical journey through past and present New York City, inspired by the life and music of American composer George Gershwin.'