Porgy and Bess - 1976 - Broadway Articles Page 4

Orange County, Calif.-May 11, 2015-One of America's most versatile and prolific living composers, Andre Previn, joins Pacific Symphony as the honored guest and focus of the 15th American Composers Festival (ACF). Previn, who has been called one of America's least easily categorized musicians, began his remarkable career as a Hollywood "wunderkind" and a best-selling jazz pianist. Now 86, Previn has received four Academy Awards for his work in film, 10 Grammy Awards for his recordings (plus one more for his Lifetime Achievement), and he is also an honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire. He's held a series of major conducting posts, including the L.A. Philharmonic and the London Symphony Orchestra, but now exclusively composes. The concert is led by Music Director Carl St.Clair, whose great admiration for the legend shaped this year's ACF to reveal the scope of Previn's prowess as a composer. 

Amas Musical Theatre, New York City's award-winning pioneer in diversity and multi-ethnic casting in the performing arts since 1968, will celebrate its 46th Anniversary at a gala benefit on Monday, March 30th, 2015 at the Baruch Performing Arts Center (East 25th Street between Lexington and 3rd Avenues). Honorary Chair for the event is distinguished actor, director, and choreographer Andre De Shields.

The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra Pops presents Do You Hear the People Sing this weekend, March 6-8, 2015 at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts.

Tony Award-winning costume designer, JESS GOLDSTEIN (currently represented on Broadway with Jersey Boys and On the Town), and scenic designer DOUGLAS W. SCHMIDT are among the 2015 TDF/Irene Sharaff Awards recipients. The awards will be presented at a ceremony on Friday, May 1, at 6:30pm, at the Hudson Theatre (145 West 44th Street). Mr. Goldstein was selected to receive the 2015 TDF/Irene Sharaff Lifetime Achievement Award for costume design and Mr. Schmidt will receive the Robert L.B. Tobin Award for Sustained Excellence in Theatrical Design.

MILWAUKEE, WIS. 02/24/2015 – The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra Pops presents Do You Hear the People Sing on March 6-8, 2015 at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. Conducted by Dale Rieling, the performance celebrates the work of prolific musical theater writers Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg and includes music from Les Misérables, Miss Saigon, and much more. Featured artists are the MSO Chorus, directed by Lee Erickson, and vocalists Eric Kunze, Terrence Mann, Jennifer Paz, Kathy Voytko, and Marie Zamora.

Amas Musical Theatre, New York City's award-winning pioneer in diversity and multi-ethnic casting in the performing arts since 1968, will celebrate its 46th Anniversary at a gala benefit on Monday, March 30th, 2015 at the Baruch Performing Arts Center (East 25th Street between Lexington and 3rd Avenues). Honorary Chair for the event is distinguished actor, director, and choreographer Andre De Shields.

Broadway continues its 2014-2015 season momentum. In addition to the 17 shows that have already opened this season -- joining the 18 long-running shows currently playing on the boards -- to date, 19 more shows have announced opening dates this spring with more expected to announce.

Coming up this week, 54 Below, Broadway's Supper Club, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond.

The Dallas Opera's explosive second production of the 2014-2015 'Heights of Passion' Season is SALOME by Richard Strauss (whose libretto was based on Hedwig Lachmann's German translation of Oscar Wilde's play). SALOME, generally regarded as one of the masterpieces of the Late Romantic Era, opens tonight, October 30, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. in theMargot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center located in the Dallas Arts District.

The Dallas Opera's explosive second production of the 2014-2015 "Heights of Passion" Season is SALOME by Richard Strauss (whose libretto was based on Hedwig Lachmann's German translation of Oscar Wilde's play). SALOME, generally regarded as one of the masterpieces of the Late Romantic Era, opens on Thursday, October 30, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. in theMargot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center located in the Dallas Arts District.

The New York Philharmonic has announced several additions to the cast of the semi-staged production of Kern & Hammerstein's Show Boat, November 5-8, 2014: Tony-nominated actor Christopher Fitzgerald (who will portray Frank); Tony-nominated actor Norm Lewis, who appeared on Broadway as Porgy in The Gershwins' Porgy & Bess (Joe); Broadway performer Alli Mauzey (Ellie); Broadway and television performer Edward Watts (Steve); Emmy- nominated comedic stage and screen actor Fred Willard (Cap'n Andy); and Broadway performer NaTasha Yvette Williams (Queenie).

It might surprise many to find that the original 1935 Broadway production of 'PORGY AND BESS' ran only 124 performances. The reasons were many including the all Black cast, some of the overtones of the script were perceived by some to be 'too Negro,' the opera format was considered 'not Broadway,' while some railed that it 'had racial overtones.' Other suppositions were that the heavy dependence of a strong story line was not a familiar format during the era of escapist comedies, follies and vaudeville. Not to be overlooked was the fact that the production lasted four hours, with two intermissions.

The holidays are upon us with plenty to celebrate at the Kimmel Center's campus of events and performances.

The holidays are upon us with plenty to celebrate at the Kimmel Center's campus of events and performances.

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust presents the soulful a capella ensemble, SWEET HONEY IN THE ROCK, at the Byham Theater inPittsburgh, PA on Saturday, November 9, 2013, at 8:00 p.m. Ticket prices start at $25. For tickets and information, visit www.TrustArts.org, call (412) 456-6666, or in person: Theater Square Box Office, 655 Penn Avenue. This event is part of the Cohen & Grigsby Trust Presents series.

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Mayor's Office of Media & Entertainment Commissioner Katherine Oliver today presented the eighth annual 'Made in NY' Awards, honoring individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the City's entertainment and digital media industries. The 2013 'Made in NY' honorees include: Tony and Olivier Award-winning actor Alan Cumming; 'Project Runway' host and executive producer Heidi Klum; two time Oscar-nominated director Spike Lee; five time Tony Award-winning singer and actress Audra McDonald; President of HBO Documentary Films Sheila Nevins; NYC-based blogging platform and social networking website Tumblr; and Harvey and Bob Weinstein, founders of The Weinstein Company and Miramax Films. This year's 'Made in NY' Mayor's Award for Lifetime Achievement was presented to Emmy Award-winning television host and broadcast journalist Barbara Walters. The awards took place at Gracie Mansion and featured a special performance by the Tony Award-winning musical Kinky Boots introduced by Harvey Fierstein.

Skylight Music Theatre will mount a new production of the Gershwin masterpiece Porgy and Bess May 17 through June 9 in the Cabot Theatre at the Broadway Theatre Center (158 N. Broadway, Milwaukee WI).

Yale Repertory Theatre, in a co-production with American Repertory Theater, presents the world premiere of Marie Antoinette by David Adjmi, directed by Rebecca Taichman. Marie Antoinette will be performed at Yale Repertory Theatre (1120 Chapel Street) October 26 through November 17. Opening Night is Thursday, November 1. The cast includes Fred Arsenault, Hannah Cabell, David Greenspan, Marin Ireland, Vin Knight, Jo Lampert, Polly Lee, Steven Rattazzi, Jake Silbermann, Teale Sperling, Brian Wiles, and Ashton Woerz.

Yale Repertory Theatre, in a co-production with American Repertory Theater, presents the world premiere of Marie Antoinette by David Adjmi, directed by Rebecca Taichman. Marie Antoinette will be performed at Yale Repertory Theatre (1120 Chapel Street) October 26 through November 17. Opening Night is Thursday, November 1. The cast includes Fred Arsenault, Hannah Cabell, David Greenspan, Marin Ireland, Vin Knight, Jo Lampert, Polly Lee, Steven Rattazzi, Jake Silbermann, Teale Sperling, Brian Wiles, and Ashton Woerz.

Over the course of a career spanning more than 40 years, the two-time Grammy winner has amassed a fan base, critical acclaim, Gold albums, and an avalanche of awards. From ballads of sweet soul music such as "Feel the Fire" and "I'm So Into You" to the chart-topping hits such as "If Ever You're in My Arms Again" and "Can You Stop the Rain" to the Oscar-winning duet collaborations with Celine Dion ("Beauty and the Beast") and Regina Belle ("A Whole New World"), Bryson has proven himself the consummate vocal professional.

Over the course of a career spanning more than 40 years, the two-time Grammy winner has amassed a fan base, critical acclaim, Gold albums, and an avalanche of awards. From ballads of sweet soul music such as "Feel the Fire" and "I'm So Into You" to the chart-topping hits such as "If Ever You're in My Arms Again" and "Can You Stop the Rain" to the Oscar-winning duet collaborations with Celine Dion ("Beauty and the Beast") and Regina Belle ("A Whole New World"), Bryson has proven himself the consummate vocal professional.

A Chorus Line, the powerful and emotion-filled musical about the trials and tribulations of forging a life in the theater, will play in Pittsburgh tonight, June 15 through June 24 at the Benedum Center. Directed and choreographed by original A Chorus Line cast member Baayork Lee, this bona fide Broadway hit features an incredible ensemble cast composed of exciting Broadway stars and Pittsburgh CLO veterans.

A Chorus Line, the powerful and emotion-filled musical about the trials and tribulations of forging a life in the theater, will play in Pittsburgh June 15-24 at the Benedum Center. Directed and choreographed by original A Chorus Line cast member Baayork Lee, this bona fide Broadway hit features an incredible ensemble cast composed of exciting Broadway stars and Pittsburgh CLO veterans.

Symphony Space's Gertrude Stein's Paris, a month-long, multi-disciplinary festival devoted to the vibrant cultural milieu of Gertrude Stein's Paris, continues tonight, April 27 with two fully staged productions devoted to the inspiration Stein's work had on vocal and operatic repertoire. Encompass New Opera Theatre will present two one-act operas based on texts by Stein, Virgil Thomson's Capital Capitals and Ned Rorem's Three Sisters Who Are Not Sisters. Directed by Nancy Rhodes, this salute to Stein's work through American opera is a fresh examination of the influence Stein has had throughout the arts.