Opening Night for Porgy and Bess

On opening night for Porgy and Bess at the Kennedy Center, Audrey, Karen, Kayla and I had perfect seats about a half dozen rows behind the orchestra pit. Close enough to see the beads of sweat on Porgy after his climatic fight with Crown.

Audrey made me swear not to sing along to “Summertime” and anyway, as an amazing soprano was in the lead, I didn’t even dare try. Before the show, we toured the Kennedy Center, checking out the museum exhibit about Kennedy and the arts as well as the great view from the fourth floor terrace. There was also an extensive museum exhibit about Porgy and Bess.

All the featured singers in this production were amazing, and we particularly loved the woman who played Serena. Serena sang an incredibly moving “My Man is Gone.” Sportin’ Life was the best actor, and played his fun part to the hilt. In the lead role, Porgy had plenty of opportunities to share his great voice.

It was also staged well, with plenty of action to keep it interesting (although its perhaps hard to make the very long craps game at the beginning super interesting). I liked the color palette of the production, which I would describe as sepia with occasional bright oranges and blues.

The music is wonderful throughout and the orchestra played with energy and emotion.

“I loves you, Porgy!”

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