Gregg Baker, Laquita Mitchell to Head New Jersey State Opera’s Porgy and Bess

Gregg Baker and Laquita Mitchell will play the title roles in New Jersey State Opera’s 75th anniversary production of Porgy and Bess, to play Newark Symphony Hall on Friday, May 21 at 8pm and Sunday, May 23 at 3pm. Jonathan Eaton will direct, with Jason C. Tramm conducting a 55-piece orchestra.

Based on Dubose and Dorothy Heyward’s novel and play, Porgy, George and Ira Gershwin’s operetta is set in the fictional Catfish Row, South Carolina, and tells the story of the crippled beggar Porgy transformed by his unexpected and improbable love for Bess. It features classic songs in musical theater including “Summertime,” “I Got Plenty o’ Nothin’,” “Bess, You Is My Woman Now,” and “It Ain’t Necessarily So.”

The cast will also include Lester Lynch as Crown, Angela Brown as Serena, Janinah Burnett as Clara, and Lawrence Craig as Sportin’ Life. Additional casting will be announced at a later date.

For more information, call 973- 623-5757 or e-mail info@njstateopera.org.