Porgy and Bess
The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess is set in Charleston’s fabled Catfish Row, where the beautiful Bess struggles to break free from her scandalous past, and the only one who can rescue her is the courageous Porgy. Threatened by her formidable former lover Crown, and the seductive enticements of the colorful troublemaker Sporting Life, Porgy and Bess’ relationship evolves into a deep romance that triumphs as one of theatre’s most exhilarating love stories.
One of Broadway’s most accomplished creative teams, led by Tony Award®-winning director Diane Paulus (Pippin, Hair), Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Suzan-Lori Parks (Topdog/Underdog), and two-time Obie Award-winning composer Diedre L. Murray (Running Man), have re-imagined George Gershwin, DuBose and Dorothy Heyward, and Ira Gershwin’s legendary masterwork specifically for the musical theatre, what USA Today calls a canny and exuberant re-affirmation of the original’s enduring brilliance.
Like South Pacific and Follies, this rare production captures the iconic masterwork the way it was meant to be appreciated: on the sumptuous Ahmanson stage with a magnificent 23-piece orchestra.
Get swept away by the lush Gershwin score of this great American Tony Award®-winning musical.
Performance Length
Approx. two hours and 30 minutes, including one intermission.
Be Aware
This against-all-odds love story includes plotlines with drugs, prostitution and two onstage murders.
This show also contains fog, haze, smoke and lightning effects using strobe lights.
Recommended for audiences ages 13+
Children 6 and under who may cry or fidget are never admitted.
Credits
- By
- George Gershwin
- DuBose & Dorothy Heyward
- Ira Gershwin
- Book Adapted by
- Suzan-Lori Parks
- Musical Score Adapted by
- Diedre L. Murray
- Directed by
- Diane Paulus
- Choreography
- Ronald K. Brown
- Set Design by
- Riccardo Hernandez
- Costume Design by
- Esosa
- Lighting Design by
- Christopher Akerlind
- Sound Design by
- Acme Sound Partners
- Orchestrations
- William David Brohn
- Christopher Jahnke
- Wig/Hair/Makeup Design
- Rob Greene
- J. Jared Janas
- With
- Soara-Joye Ross
- Nathaniel Stampley
- Alicia Hall Moran
- Sumayya Ali
- Denisha Ballew
- Danielle Lee Greaves
- David Hughey
- Fred Rose
- Alvin Crawford
- Kingsley Leggs
- Vanjah Boikai
- Adrianna M. Cleveland
- Roosevelt André Credit
- Cicily Daniels
- Dwelvan David
- Nkrumah Gatling
- Tamar Greene
- Nicole Adell Johnson
- James Earl Jones II
- Quentin Oliver Lee
- Cheryse Mcleod Lewis
- Sarita Rachelle Lilly
- Kent Overshown
- Chauncey Packer
- Lindsay Roberts
- The Los Angeles production of 'The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess' is generously supported in part by Artistic Director’s Circle member Jeanette Shammas and The Blue Ribbon.