A.R.T. Announces Complete Casting for The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess, Starring Norm Lewis, Audra McDonald
(© Tristan Fuge)
Complete casting has been announced for American Repertory Theatre’s The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess. Diane Paulus will direct the production, slated to begin performances on August 17, with a press opening set for August 31, prior to a Broadway run, which will begin, as previously announced, on December 17 at the Richard Rodgers Theatre.
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 piece focuses 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 most famous songs to come from the piece are “Summertime” and “It Ain’t Necessarily So.”
The American Repertory Theatre company for the production will feature Norm Lewis and Audra McDonald in the title roles, and David Alan Grier, all of whom will appear in the Broadway company of the show, as well as Joshua Henry as Jake, Philip Boykin as Crown, Bryonha Marie Parham as Serena, NaTasha Yvette Williams as Maria, Cedric Neal as Frazier, J.D. Webster as Mingo, Heather Hill as Lily, Phumzile Sojola as Peter, and Nathaniel Stampley as Robbins. In addition, Nikki Renee Daniels will play Clara, in lieu of the previously reported Trista Dollison.
The ensemble will include Allison Blackwell, Roosevelt Andre Credit, Trevon Davis, Joseph Dellger, Wilkie Ferguson, Alicia Hall Moran, Andrea Jones-Sojola, and Lisa Nicole Wilkerson; the Coroner is Joseph Dellger.
The creative team will include choreographer Ronald K. Brown, set designer Riccardo Hernandez, costume designer Emilio Sosa, Tony Award-winning lighting designer Christopher Akerlind, and sound by Acme Sound Partners.
For more information and tickets, click here.
