Congratulations are already in order for Court Theatre's reworked production of George Gershwin's magnum opus “Porgy and Bess”. The production directed by Charles Newell and with musical Direction by Doug Peck has not even officially opened yet and has already added an additional 16 performances. It will now play until July 3rd and features Todd M. Kryger as Porgy and Alexis J. Rogers as Bess and looks like it could be one of the highlights of the Chicago season.You can still buy tickets at Court Theatre's website or by calling 773-753-4472.
In anticipation for Court's production they are offering some exciting special Porgy-related events happening soon.
On Tuesday May 24th at 7pm at the Max Palevsky Cinema located at Ida Noyes Halls as part of the Hollywood and Black Cinema there will be a showing of Oscar Michaeaux film "Underworld." "Underworld," a 1937 film about Paul Bronson, a young man lusting after the decadent world of nightclubs and casions is brought to Chicago by local mob boss LeRoy Giles. Paul falls in love with LeRoy's mistress, resulting in a downward spiral of deception, susicion, murder, and revenge. Afterwards, Court Theatre's Redident Dramaturg Drew Dir will lead a post-show discussion.
Through Sunday July 3rd at the DuSable Museum of African American History there will be a "Porgy and Bess" exhibit exploring the controversial history of the Gershwin opera, beginning with DuBose Heyward's novel about the Charleston Gullah community to the opera's Cold War tour behind the Iron Curtain all the way to the 1959 film starring Academy Award winner Sidney Poitier and Academy Award nominee Dorothy Dandridge.
Finally on Sunday May 22nd from 4 to 5pm there will be a free and open to the public discussion regarding Porgy and Bess: The History of an American Symbol at the DuSable Museum at 740 E. 56th Place in Chicago. Join ethnomusicologist Travis Jackson (Associate Professor, Department of Music at the University of Chicago) and Court Theatre's Artistic Director Charles Newell in a discussion moderated by DuSable Education Program Manager Jomo Cheatham as they delve into the history and controversy of the Gershwins' "Porgy and Bess".
Visit the event's webpage for more information.
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