MusicalOperaRevivalBroadway
Opening Date
Sep 25, 1976
Closing Date
Jan 09, 1977
1st Preview
Sep 21, 1976
1st Preview
Sep 21, 1976
Previews
5
Performances
122
MusicalOperaRevivalBroadway
External Links
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ABOUT THIS PRODUCTION

Theatres
Uris Theatre
(Sep 25, 1976 - Dec 05, 1976)
Mark Hellinger Theatre
(Dec 07, 1976 - Jan 09, 1977)
Description
An American folk opera in three acts
Setting
Charleston, South Carolina. The early 1930s.
Comments
This production was part of a national tour that opened July 1, 1976. Originally intended to be a limited run through October 17, 1976, the production extended, eventually transferring to the Mark Hellinger Theatre. After its Broadway engagement ended on January 9, 1977, the production continued on tour.
Theatre Owned / Operated by James M. Nederlander, Joseph Nederlander and Gerard Oestreicher
Produced by Sherwin M. Goldman and The Houston Grand Opera; Produced by arrangement with Tams-Witmark Music Library, Inc.
Music by George Gershwin; Libretto by DuBose Heyward; Lyrics by DuBose Heyward and Ira Gershwin; Founded on the play "Porgy" by DuBose Heyward and Dorothy Heyward; Musical Director and Chorus Master: John DeMain
Directed by Jack O'Brien; Choreographed by Mabel Robinson; Assistant Director: Mabel Robinson and Helaine Head
Scenic Design by Robert Randolph; Costume Design by Nancy Potts; Lighting Design by Gilbert V. Hemsley, Jr.; Additional scenic elements for Kittiwah Island designed by John Rothgeb
General Manager: Robert A. Buckley; Company Manager: Bill Liberman
Production Stage Manager: Helaine Head; Stage Manager: Sally McCravey; Assistant Stage Mgr: William Gammon
Music Preparation: George Darden; Music Contractor: Mel Rodnon; Assistant Conductor: Ross Reimueller
Goat trained and handled by Dawn Animal Agency, Inc.; Advertising: Lawrence Weiner and Associates; Press Representative: Michael Alpert, Marilynn LeVine and Warren Knowlton
The Producers wish to express their gratitude for the assistance, advice and confidence of Milton Aborn, Ira Gershwin, Leonore Gershwin, Jennifer Heyward, Robert Kimball, Kay Swift and Mrs. Edgar Tobin
Donnie Ray Albert
Porgy
Alternate
Steven Alex-Cole
Crab Man
 
Ensemble
John D. Anthony
Ensemble
Shirley Baines
Annie
 
Ensemble
Earl Baker
Ensemble
Kenneth Barry
Mr. Archdale
Phyllis Bash
Strawberry Woman
 
Ensemble
Kenneth Bates
Ensemble
Raymond Bazemore
Frazier
 
Ensemble
Carol Brice
Maria
Barbara Buck
Ensemble
Alex Carrington
Scipio
Clamma Dale
Bess
Alternate
Curtis Dickson
Jake
Ella Eure
Ensemble
Wilhelmenia Fernandez
Ensemble
William Gammon
Policeman
Elizabeth Graham
Ensemble
Earl Grandison
Ensemble
Kenneth Hamilton
Ensemble
Betty Harris
Ensemble
Esther Hinds
Bess
Alternate
Loretta Holkmann
Ensemble
Delores Ivory-Davis
Serena
Alternate
Alma Johnson
Ensemble
Cora Johnson
Ensemble
Betty Lane
Clara
Abraham Lind-Oquendo
Porgy
Alternate
Roberta Long
Ensemble
Hartwell Mace
Jim
 
Ensemble
Larry Marshall
Sportin' Life
Patricia McDermott
Ensemble
George Robert Merritt
Crown
Alternate
Myra Merritt
Lily
 
Ensemble
Naomi Moody
Ensemble
Robert Mosley
Porgy
Alternate
Irene Oliver
Bess
Alternate
Glover Parham
Robbins
 
Ensemble
William Penn
Ensemble
Dwight Ransom
Ensemble
Ross Reimueller
Jasbo Brown
Cornel Richie
Undertaker
 
Ensemble
John B. Ross
Coroner
Rodrick Ross
Ensemble
Hansford Rowe
Detective
Wilma A. Shakesnider
Serena
Alternate
Alexander B. Smalls
Ensemble
Andrew Smith
Crown
Alternate
Bernard Thacker
Mingo
The Undertaker
 
Ensemble
Mervin Wallace
Peter
The Honey Man
 
Ensemble
Barbara Ann Webb
Ensemble
Wardell Woodard
Ensemble
Denice Woods
Ensemble
Barbara L. Young
Ensemble
Understudies: John D. Anthony (Crown), Shirley Baines (Serena), Phyllis Bash (Bess), Kenneth Bates (Peter), Barbara Buck (Lily, Strawberry Woman), William Gammon (Detective), Elizabeth Graham (Clara), Earl Grandison (Frazier, Undertaker), Kenneth Hamilton (Jake), Alma Johnson (Clara), Hartwell Mace (Porgy), Myra Merritt (Clara), William Penn (Jim), Dwight Ransom (Nelson, Crab Man), Rodrick Ross (Robbins), Alexander B. Smalls (Jake), Bernard Thacker (Sportin' Life), Barbara Ann Webb (Maria), Wardell Woodard (Mingo) and Barbara L. Young (Annie)

Uris Theatre (Sep 25, 1976 - Dec 05, 1976)

Conductor: Ross Reimueller

Cast

Elizabeth Graham
Clara
Bruce Hubbard
Ensemble
Alexander B. Smalls
Jake
Barbara Ann Webb
Maria
Queen Yahna
Maria
Alternate
Understudies: William Gammon (Mr. Archdale), Bruce Hubbard (Jake) and John B. Ross (Detective)

Mark Hellinger Theatre (Dec 07, 1976 - Jan 09, 1977)

music by George Gershwin; lyrics by Ira Gershwin
(Unless otherwise noted)
Act 1
Sung By
Summertime
Clara
A Woman Is a Sometime Thing
Jake and Men
Here Come de Honey Man
(lyrics by Ira Gershwin and DuBose Heyward)
Peter
They Pass By Singing
Porgy
Oh Little Stars
(lyrics by Ira Gershwin and DuBose Heyward)
Porgy
Gone, Gone, Gone
Ensemble
Overflow
Ensemble
My Man's Gone Now
Serena
Leavin' fo' de Promis' Lan
Bess and Ensemble
It Takes a Long Pull
Jake and Men
I Got Plenty O' Nuttin'
Porgy and Ensemble
Buzzard
Porgy and Ensemble
Bess, You Is My Woman Now
Porgy and Bess
Oh I Can't Sit Down
Ensemble
I Ain't Got No Shame
Ensemble
It Ain't Necessarily So
Sportin' Life and Ensemble
What You Want With Bess?
Bess and Crown
Act 2
Sung By
Oh, Doctor Jesus
Serena, Maria, Peter, Lily and Porgy
I Loves You, Porgy
Porgy and Bess
Oh, He'venly Father
(lyrics by Ira Gershwin and DuBose Heyward)
Ensemble
Oh de Lawd Shake de Heaven
Ensemble
Oh, Dere's Somebody Knockin' at de Do'
(lyrics by Ira Gershwin and DuBose Heyward)
Ensemble
A Red Headed Woman
Crown and Ensemble
Clara, Clara
(lyrics by Ira Gershwin and DuBose Heyward)
Ensemble
There's a Boat That's Leavin' Soon for New York
Sportin' Life and Bess
Good Mornin', Sistuh!
(lyrics by Ira Gershwin and DuBose Heyward)
Porgy
Oh, Bess, Oh Where's My Bess
(lyrics by Ira Gershwin and DuBose Heyward)
Porgy, Serena and Maria
Oh Lawd, I'm on My Way
(lyrics by Ira Gershwin and DuBose Heyward)
Porgy and Ensemble

Tony Award®

 

Best Actress in a Musical

1977 Nominee
Clamma Dale
 

Best Featured Actor in a Musical

1977 Nominee
Larry Marshall
 

Best Scenic Design

1977 Nominee
Scenic Design by Robert Randolph
 

Best Costume Design

1977 Nominee
Costume Design by Nancy Potts
 

Best Direction of a Musical

1977 Nominee
Directed by Jack O'Brien

Most Innovative Production of a Revival

1977 Winner
Produced by Sherwin M. Goldman and The Houston Grand Opera

Drama Desk Award

 

Outstanding Musical

1977 Nominee
Produced by Sherwin M. Goldman and The Houston Grand Opera

Outstanding Actress in a Musical

1977 Winner
Clamma Dale
 

Outstanding Actress in a Musical

1977 Nominee
Esther Hinds
 

Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical

1977 Nominee
Larry Marshall
 

Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical

1977 Nominee
Delores Ivory-Davis
 

Outstanding Director of a Musical

1977 Nominee
Directed by Jack O'Brien
 

Outstanding Costume Design

1977 Nominee
Costume Design by Nancy Potts
 

Outstanding Lighting Design

1977 Nominee
Lighting Design by Gilbert V. Hemsley, Jr.
 

Outstanding Set Design

1977 Nominee
Scenic Design by Robert Randolph
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