PORGY AND BESS

About The Show

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Music by: George Gershwin

Lyrics by: DuBose Heyward & Ira Gershwin

Book by: Dorothy Heyward & DuBose Heyward

Adaptation by: Suzan Lori Parks & Deidre L. Murray

Directed by: Diane Paulus

Location: Richard Rodgers Theatre

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First Preview: December 17, 2011
Opening Night: January 12, 2012

Cast & Creative Team

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Norm Lewis (Porgy)

Audra McDonald (Bess)

David Alan Grier (Sportin Life)

Nikki Renee Daniels (Clara)

Joshua Henry (Jake)

Christopher Innvar (Detective)

Bryonha Marie Parham (Serena)

Natasha Yvette Williams (Mariah)

Phillip Boykin (Crown)

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Dorothy Heyward & DuBose Heyward (Book)

Suzan Lori Parks & Deidre L Murray (Adaptation)

George Gershwin (Music)

DuBose Heyward & Ira Gershwin (Lyricist)

Diane Paulus (Director)

Ronald K. Brown (Choreographer)

Riccardo Hernandez (Set Design)

Emilio Sosa (Costume Design)

Christopher Akerlind (Lighting Design)

ACME Sound Partners (Sound Design)

Diedre Murray (Arrangements)

        "Porgy and Bess" is based on DuBose Heyward's novel “Porgy” and the play of the same name, which he co-wrote with his wife Dorothy Heyward. The classic American tale is set in the 1930s in Catfish Row, a fictional neighborhood in Charleston, South Carolina. Bess, beautiful and troubled, turns to Porgy, the crippled beggar, in search of safety after her possessive lover Crown commits murder. As Porgy and Bess’ love grows, their future is threatened by Crown and the conniving Sporting Life. This new adaptation of the show has been specifically created for Broadway.