Audra McDonald to Star in Diane Paulus’ New Production of Porgy and Bess

Audra McDonald will play Bess in American Repertory Theater’s production of Porgy and Bess, according to an interview in The Hartford Courant with Diane Paulus, the theater’s artistic director and director of the production.

Pulitzer Prize winner Suzan-Lori Parks and Obie Award-winning composer Diedre Murray are collaborating on a revised version the show, which has a score by George and Ira Gerhswin and an original libretto by DuBose and Dorothy Heyward. The production will also feature choreography by Ronald K. Brown.

Porgy and Bess centers on the denizens of the fictitious Catfish Row and in particular, a disabled beggar’s attempts to rescue a woman from her violent lover. Among the songs featured in the opera are “Summertime” and “It Ain’t Necessarily So.”

McDonald won Tony Awards for her performances in Carousel, Master Class, Ragtime, and A Raisin in the Sun. In addition, she received Tony Award nominations for her work in Marie Christine and 110 in the Shade. In addition, she stars on ABC’s Private Practice, but is leaving the show as a regular at the end of this season.

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