Photo by Michael J. Lutch.
The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess, winner of the 2012 Tony Award for Best Musical Revival, began its engagement at Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theatre last week.
This new adaptation of The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess was specifically created for Broadway and features a 23-piece orchestra and legendary songs like “Summertime,” “It Ain’t Necessarily So,” and “I Got Plenty of Nothing.”
The story is set in Charleston’s fabled Catfish Row, an area filled with hard-working African Americans. It is here where the fast-moving and beautiful Bess struggles to break free from her scandalous past. Porgy and Bess’s relationship evolves into a deep romance as she tries to avoid the pitfalls of continuing a relationship with a murderer and abusive former lover, Crown, and the temptations of the streets that are presented by an opportunistic troublemaker, Sporting Life. The story culminates as Porgy fights for the love of his life, and brings peace back to the community.
The classic, opera-style production features an outstanding cast including Nathaniel Stamply (Porgy), who played in the original Broadway production of The Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess; Alicia Hall Moran (Bess), who was the Bess alternate and understudy for the Broadway production; and Alvin Crawford (Crown), who played in the Broadway production of The Lion King. In addition, Kingsley Leggs (Sporting Life) and Denisha Ballew (Serena), who is making her national tour debut, provide inspiring and memorable performances as part of a very strong cast of characters.
People familiar with the original production will notice that under the direction of Diane Paulus the length of the show has been skimmed down from four hours to two and one-half hours, and that the performance may seem a little choppy during the first act. However, Ballew’s rendition of “My Man’s Gone Now” during the first act is worth the price of admission, and the second act flows along at a good pace and keeps the audience engaged with the performance.
Stamply’s portrayal of Porgy and his soulful bass provides a strong foundation for the production, while Moran’s tremendous vocal range is as surprising as it is enlightening.
The Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess plays at the 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle through June 29. Tickets (starting at $29) may be purchased online at www.5thavenue.org, by phone at (206) 625-1900, or at the Box Office at 1308 5th Avenue in downtown Seattle. Group orders of 10 or more may be placed by calling Group Sales Manager Niklaus Lopez at (888) 625-1418.
