Joshua Henry, Norm Lewis, Audra McDonald, NaTasha Yvette Williams, et al. Set for A.R.T.’s The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess

Additional casting has been announced for American Repertory Theatre’s The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess, according to a report in The New York Times. Diane Paulus will direct the production, slated to begin performances on August 17, with a press opening set for August 31.

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 company will feature Norm Lewis and Audra McDonald in the title roles, and David Alan Grier as well as Joshua Henry as Jake. Philip Boykin as Crown, Trista Dollison as Clara, 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.

The ensemble will include Allison Blackwell, Roosevelt Andre Credit, Trevon Davis, Rosharra J’Nae Francis, Alicia Hall Moran, Rocklin Thompson, and Lisa Nicole Wilkerson. .

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.