Theater News

Audra McDonald, Norm Lewis, David Alan Grier to Star in The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess at A.R.T.

Audra McDonald
(© Tristan Fuge)
Audra McDonald
(© Tristan Fuge)

Norm Lewis and Audra McDonald will play the title roles and David Alan Grier will play Sportin’ Life in American Repertory Theatre’s previously announced The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess, to begin performances on August 17. Diane Paulus will direct the production, which will have choreography by Ronald K. Brown. Additional casting will be announced at a later date.

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 creative team will include set designer Riccardo Hernandez, costume designer Emilio Sosa, Tony Award-winning lighting designer Christopher Akerlind, and sound by Acme Sound Partners.

Lewis starred as Javert in Les Miserables in London’s West End, a role which he also played on Broadway. Among his other Broadway credits are Sondheim on Sondheim, Chicago, The Little Mermaid, Side Show, Miss Saigon, The Wild Party, Amour, and Tommy on Broadway.

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.

Grier has starred on Broadway in Race, The First, Dreamgirls, and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. His many film and television credits include Streamers, In Living Color, Damon, and The Bonnie Hunt Show.

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