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Porgy And Bess
By George Gershwin, DuBose & Dorothy Heyward,
and Ira Gershwin
Opera in three acts
Conductor John DeMain
Stage Director Francesca Zambello
Choreographer Denni Sayers
At the Lyric Opera
20 N. Wacker
Chicago, IL
312-827-5600 www.lyricoperas.org
14 performances total Nov 18-Dec 19
Added performance Dec 16 at 7:30 pm
Tickets $32 - $185
Running time is 3 hours, 20 minutes with intermission
Through December 19, 2008
“There is Porgy And Bess and then there is all the rest.” –Stephen Sondheim
Spectacular production of Gershwin’s masterwork Porgy And Bess is a major artistic and musical achievement for the Lyric Opera of Chicago!
It was one of those very special nights that can only happen in theatre; over three thousand people gathered to witness the opening of an ambitious and thoroughly beautiful production of Gershwin’s masterpiece, American folk opera Porgy And Bess. For me, it was one of the most enjoyable nights of theatre I’ve spent in years. The Lyric Opera of Chicago’s first production of Porgy And Bess ranks among the best shows I’ve ever seen; it is sheer perfection.
This opera opened in 1935 at the Colonial Theatre in Boston, and then ran only 124 performances on Broadway. Critics of opera and theatre panned the show, calling it too “black, folksy and morbid," proving that Porgy and Bess was ahead of its time. It was decades before it was accepted and recognized as a major American modern opera. It became the only opera to ever win a Tony Award, and its most popular song, “Summertime,” has been recorded over 17,500 times. Kudos to the Lyric Opera of Chicago for selecting this masterpiece. I cannot think of a finer, more universally appealing work to introduce people to the majesty of opera. If you can get a ticket (this is one of the Lyric's hottest selling shows in recent memory), take your teens to see this compelling melodic and powerful folk opera. They’ll thank you for years to come.
 
George Gershwin researched the roots of southern black culture on James Island (off the coast of South Carolina) with the Gullah community of fishermen. This is where, with the help of Ira Gershwin and Dubose and Dorothy Heyward, he composed the diverse score for Porgy and Bess: a blend of blues, jazz, and folk, with classical threads that emphatically heighten the emotion of the story.
In the exquisitely realistic atmosphere of the courtyard of Catfish Row, we first hear Clara (Laquita Mitchell) singing the haunting lullaby, “Summertime,” to her newborn child. Eric Greene brings a tenderness to the role of Clara’s husband, Jake, with his lullaby, “A Woman Is a Sometime Thing.” The “easy-livin'” summertime feel comes to a shrieking halt when violence and murder ensue between some of the craps players. The victim's funeral introduces the black spiritual melodies superbly realized in Gershwin's complex score, with “My Man’s Gone Now,” sung by Serena (Jonita Lattimore). Bess (the soprano Morenike Fadayomi) leads the mourners in the up-tempo spiritual “Leavin’ for the Promised Land”—a tune that beautifully illustrates the characters' deep-seeded Christian faith. 
In the second act, we find Jake and the fishermen working their nets as Porgy compares his life to theirs, leading the ensemble in the show's biggest toe-taper, “I Got Plenty O’ Nuttin” - complete with fine banjo work. Meanwhile, Sporting Life (played by the manic, rubber-legged Jermaine Smith, a fine tenor) relentlessly tempts Bess to live a life of self-destruction with him in New York. Bess refuses, at least for a while, with support from Porgy. Bess and Porgy sing to their new found happiness in the stirring “Bess, You Is My Woman Now.” The second act also features a rousing dance number, “It Ain’t Necessarily So”, as well as a powerful love ballad, “I Loves You, Porgy.”
This opera seamlessly blends 1930’s jazz elements with musical traditions of the black south, in the forms of jubilees, praying songs, work songs, street cries to traditional arias and recitatives with hints of Jewish liturgical music. Each of the characters lives in his or her own unique rhythm; this careful craftsmanship of leitmotifs is a signature of Gershwin's, and a quality that renders his work legendary.
This show features a cast of world class singers completely at home with their characters. Morenike Dadayomi’s Bess and Gordon Hawkins’ Porgy produce an electrifying spark that ignites the house. Lester Lynch deftly portrays evil brute Crown, while Jermaine Smith’s Sporting Life is effective as the ever-persistent devil on Bess' shoulder. Despite the portrayal of an undeniable feeling of hopelessness - alcohol and drug abuse, gambling and sexual objectification of women - also depicted is the characters' mighty ascension of spirit, brought on by their impregnable religious faith and sense of community. Audiences will leave with a deep understanding of the frailty, strength, and humanity of these simple folks. This opera will become a most memorable experience for all. Be sure to see this rarely-produced gem. Please note that there is an added performance on Tuesday, December 16 at 7:30 pm.
Highly Recommended
Tom Williams
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed: November 18, 2008
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