Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess

1. Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess • An American Musical • Presented to you by: Courtney, Jordan, & Miranda • Video

2. Brief synopsis. • “Porgy and Bess centers on the tragic love story of the cripple beggar Porgy and beautiful Bess, who longs to turn away from her former life as a prostitute and cocaine addict. After a murder, Bess’ abusive partner Crown flees, leaving her at the mercy of a disapproving community and tempted by the seductive drug dealer Sporting Life. Bess strikes up an unlikely relationship with Porgy and gradually finds acceptance on Catfish Row—until a hurricane and the return of Crown change everyone’s lives forever.” (Broadway.com)

3. Set in the mid 1930’s in a small African American neighbor-hood in Charleston South Carolina called Catfish Row. • Main Characters for the2011-2012 Broadway production

4. During that time the show traveled all around the country, but primarily stayed on the east coast. • *Fun fact* When the show came to the national theatre in Washington DC, the cast protested the Segregation at the national theatre. (African Americans were not even allowed in the theatre.) This protest eventually won and resulted in the National Theatre’s first ever integrated show. • There were 2 other revivals during this time but they were far less important. • About the play • Porgy and Bess was initially written by George Gershwin in 1935 as an opera for the Broadway opera company. • It was first performed at Carnegie Hall as a concert, and then later as a full opera at the Colonial theatre in Boston in September of 1935. • This initial opera was about four hours long according to Gershwin’s initial score, but was shortened to about 3 hours 30 minutes during the initial rehearsals. • The Broadway tour of this show began in January of 1936 and went until January of the following year • During that time the show traveled all around the country, but primarily stayed on the east coast. George Gershwin

5. This was the first time in the modern era that the full opera was restored, and thus, this was the first time that most critics claimed it as an actual opera. • It served to completely change the public opinion of the show. • Originally thought to be racist, and even poorly done. • It was and still is the only opera to win a Tony Award, and a Grammy. • There were few important productions of the work after this until,,, • 1976 brought about the Houston Grand Opera Production of the show • This was the first production to restore Gershwin’s full original 1935 score of the show. • The full version as in even before the cuts Gershwin made for his Broadway tour. • First time the show was put on by the American Opera Company instead of the Broadway Opera Company. • This was widely believed to be the greatest tour of the show for many reasons.

6. 2011: Broadway puts on “Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess” • Directed by Diane Paulus • The script was adapted by Suzan-Lori Parks • The music was adapted by Diedre Murray • These adaptations brought the run time down to 2:30 • Before the show went on, Diane Paulus made statements to the press saying that she, “Wanted to introduce the work to the next generation of theatregoers.” • This show was voted Time Magazine’s second best show to see in 2011 and was nominated for 10 tony awards. • It won the award for best musical revival, and Best musical performance by a leading actress for Audra McDonald.

7. Who Is Ben Brantley?

8. Ben Brantley • 1) received a Bachelor of Arts in English from Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania and is a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society • 2) is the chief theater critic of the New York Times. • 3) has been reviewing plays for the New York Times since 1993. • 4) Brantley is the editor of The New York Times Book of Broadway: On the Aisle for the Unforgettable Plays of the Last Century, a compilation of 125 reviews published by St. Martin’s Press in 2001. He received the George Jean Nathan Award for Dramatic Criticism for 1996-1997. • 5) Ben is the subject of a recent website, DidHeLikeIt.com, that uses a "Ben-Ometer" to translate current Broadway show reviews. • 5) critiqued the Broadway musical Porgy and Bess at • the Richard Rodgers Theater in 2012. It Is My Opinion… Ben-Ometer

9. Summary of 'A New Storm’s Brewing Down on Catfish Row' • by Ben Brantley • Brantley begins by commenting that the play seems slow and somewhat dull until early in the second act when Bess struggles against Crown and her inexplicable attraction towards him. • He suggests that though it now may be called a musical, at that moment he felt the play rise to it's heights as an opera. • However Brantley then notes that the 'slimmed-down' show sometimes seems 'skeletal,' particularly in the music during the spiritual choral numbers. • He goes on to describe the scene between Bess and Crown as she gives in to her feelings for him. He praises Audra McDonald on her 'extraordinary' talent and interpretation of Bess. • Brantley confesses himself to be somewhat disappointed with Mr. Lewis' performance of Porgy, insisting it lacks the 'haunt of gravity and mysticism Porgy needs'. • He does, however, approve of David Alan Grier, who plays Sporting Life. • Brantley concludes by returning to his commendation of Mc.Donald, Claiming that her performance is 'great' in a 'pretty good' show and assures readers that she will go on to win many more awards.

10. Literary Analysis of “A New Storm’s Brewing Down on Catfish Row” by Ben Brantley • Brantley uses literary devices such as imagery, consonance and incorporation of details in his critique. • Imagery: Brantley ensures that readers are able to see, hear, touch and feel the play as though they were watching it with him. He describes the 'tremors that course through the audience,' when Bess and Crown argue. He illustrates the “weathered wooden set” and the “supple and smooth” feeling of the music. • Alliteration: “Weathered, wooden set” and “supple and smooth” are also examples of consonance as are “charming nonchalance,” “compellingly conflicted” and “big rumbling baritone”. • Use of detail: Brantley is extremely specific in his descriptions, he points out the “starkness of the setting,” and the “reduced underscoring of the orchestra,” as well as other seemingly small factors such as the “relatively persuasive ease” of the ensemble members and the dancers' “pleasing confidence.” • Overall Brantley's writing style makes it easy to understand what he is relating to as he gives a detailed description with the help of imagery. He also gets his point across effectively by using emphatic words such as “devastating,” “exalted” and “extraordinary.”

11. Courtney ~ Slide-Show, Opening, Who is Ben and Ben info, Closing, and Break Down handout. • Jordan ~ Brief Synopsis, Porgy and Bess operatic story and background, Broadway 2011-2012 musical production of Porgy and Bess. • Miranda ~ Summary of the Ben Brantley review of Porgy and Bess, Literary analysis of Ben’s review. • Thank You For Your Attention