The Sophisticated Life
  • Home
  • About
  • Travel
  • Food
  • Wine
  • Culinary Travels
  • Work With Me
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
The Sophisticated Life
  • Home
  • About
  • Travel
  • Food
  • Wine
  • Culinary Travels
  • Work With Me
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
The Sophisticated Life
No Result
View All Result
Home Art & Culture

Theater Story: Porgy and Bess & Audra McDonald!

by Nadeen
October 11, 2014
A A

(Part of this article was originally posted on 5/25/2012 by guest blogger (KDJ)

am3

I will admit. Over the years when I have heard reference to “Porgy and Bess”, the word opera never came to mind. But the truth is Porgy and Bess is an opera first performed in New York City in 1935. The music and lyrics are by the famous Gershwin brothers and it was based on the novel by Dubose Heyward called “Porgy” which was later turned into a play. The novel, play and opera all portray African-American life in the 1920’s in the fictitious town of Catfish Row in Charleston, South Carolina. It tells the story of “Porgy” who is a disabled male beggar, “Bess” who is a female struggling to be free of her dangerous lover “Crown” and the local drug dealer named “Sportin Life”. At the time of its debut in 1935, the entire cast was made up of classically trained African-American artists. In 1935!  What a feat! Besides the fact that some critics felt it was a racist portrayal of African-Americans, Porgy and Bess struggled to be recognized as a true opera. However, it is now widely recognized as such and performed worldwide.

am4

Porgy and Bess has had several revivals including in 2006 at the Savoy Theatre in London. The latest revival took place in 2012 on Broadway in NYC and premiered in January 2012. It is directed by Diane Paulus with book adaptation by Suzan-Lori Parks. Does her name sound familiar? If so it’s because Suzan-Lori Parks won the Pulitzer Prize for playwriting in 2001 for “Top Dog Under Dog”. It is also no surprise that when it came time to casting a leading lady for “Bess”, the production team chose Audra McDonald. She can do no wrong. She is an actress and singer who has won four Tony awards for Best Featured Actress for both plays and musicals. The rest of the power cast includes Norm Lewis as “Porgy”, Philip Boykin as “Crown” and David Alan Grier as “Sportin Life”.

Like many revivals, The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess of 2012 was in many ways more relatable than its original 1935 production. While the story of the fictional Catfish Row essentially remained unchanged, the production appeared streamlined with a modern day sentiment. Mind you it still chronicled the life of “around the way” gal Bess shacking up with crippled Porgy- or to be politically correct “disabled” Porgy – after her abusive, no good, poor excuse of a man Crown commits murder. Another standard is the stylish, yet sleazy, Sportin Life who slimes his way through town, controlled substance in tote, preaching of life’s abundance in Harlem. However, the revival relayed the story in a more approachable fashion with much less of an operatic feel but with the same amazing musical score.

Given its modern day approachability, which encompassed paired down lyrics, shorter, shuffled scenes, as well as Porgy trading his goat cart -which he used in the original production to get around -for a leg brace and a cane, this revival I am sure  appealed to a younger audience. Particularly one that is not well-versed in the historical nuances of the original. However, what remained unequivocally clear is the fact that Audra McDonald (Bess) has an amazing voice and an undeniable presence that simply consumes the stage and will prove breathtaking for audiences old and new.

McDonald’s performance aside, the reasons for critical acclaim are readily apparent. You simply don’t get 10 Tony nominations, including that of Best Revival of a Musical, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical (Norm Lewis), Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Audra McDonald) and Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical (David Alan Grier), if you haven’t done something exceptionally right. Yes, Porgy and Bess has indeed been “revived”!!

KDJ

NSW

6/10/12 Update: Porgy and Bess wins Tony Awards for best revival of a musical and Audra McDonald wins for best actress in a leading role in a musical!

 

6/8/14 Update: Audra McDonald makes Broadway history with sixth Tony Award win for her role as Billie Holiday in Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill! Congratulations to her for such a stunning performance and a tremendous career thus far! Did you know this Broadway superstar was actually born in Berlin, Germany but raised in Fresno, California? Or that she is married to a fellow Broadway performer currently starring as Javert in Les Miserables? Or how about the fact that her pre show ritual is to be very quiet and not speak reserving that time for herself? Read more here.

am5

Have you seen Audra McDonald perform live? If so please share your thoughts with us!

N.S.W.

am1am2

 

Sign up to learn about luxury travel with food + wine experts all over the world.

Curated small group trips where all you have to do is pack your bag, relax & enjoy!

+ Receive my free packing & to-do lists for International travel!

Thank you! Check your email for your checklists!

Tags: audra mcdonaldbroadwayporgy and besstony awards
Previous Post

Restaurant Review: Kevin Gillespie’s GUNSHOW!

Next Post

Highlights from the 22nd Annual Capital Jazz Fest!

Nadeen

Nadeen

Dr. Nadeen White is a "Blogger by Day, Physician by Night". She is an award-winning travel blogger, Amazon bestselling author and speaker. The Sophisticated Life Blog covers affordable luxury travel, culinary travel and wine. Her domestic and international travel guides gets people to the destinations of their dreams. So, if you are living the sophisticated life or desire to do so, this is the blog for you!

Related Posts

Art & Culture

Theater Story: Porgy and Bess & Audra McDonald

October 11, 2014
Next Post

Highlights from the 22nd Annual Capital Jazz Fest!

Restaurant Review: BoccaLupo: Italian-American "Soul Food" Cookery!

Comments 4

  1. Caroline Topperman says:
    9 years ago

    This is great! I love the recap. Porgy and Bess is a wonderful story, I would love to see it performed live!
    xo
    styleontheside.com

    • Nadeen says:
      9 years ago

      I would love to see it too! Grateful for my friend who saw it and wrote the review!

  2. Haley says:
    9 years ago

    I’ve seen her live! Last summer she did a recital in Baton Rouge and it was one of my birthday presents to myself! She is truly amazing. I’ve seen a handful of live Operas in various cities, but Porgy and Bess is still on my to-see list!

    • Nadeen says:
      9 years ago

      I am so jealous! I am so tempted to fly to NYC to see her!

No Result
View All Result
Subscribe for updates!

Subscribe for updates!

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Best-selling Travel Ebooks Available for Download

Travel Guides to Your Favorite Destinations

USA Wine Guide for Travelers

Culinary Travel Guides: Food & Wine

Recent Posts

Wine

Black-Owned Wineries in Napa and Sonoma.

by Nadeen
June 19, 2023
Travel

River Cruise vs Ocean Cruise: Which One is Right For You?

by Nadeen
April 11, 2023
  • ***SAVE & SHARE FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL! 
How many of these things do you do on a regular basis when you are taking off 🛫 on an international trip?

After the Maui and Morocco natural disasters I started thinking more about these things especially since I visited both places this year. I started to let some of these action items slip! 

In case you missed my LIVE broadcast of “How to Prepare for Natural Disasters While Traveling” you can still catch it on my YouTube channel The Sophisticated Life. But these are some of the highlights! 
https://youtu.be/0hK0LseyX9E?si=B-MCsaQc3Xm_wRM2

And let me tell you about the last one——we are already seeing Flu in our hospital and COVID is NOT going anywhere! So protect yourself! Wear your masks 😷 and please get vaccinated! 

#naturaldisasters #naturaldisastersurvival #traveltips101 #traveladvice #travelguides #travelbloggervibes #travelexperts #travelblogs #blacktravelblog #moroccoearthquake #mauifires
  • These memes have been cracking me up all week! 😂😂 
Ever since my husband @parrishu70 and I met a couple in Champagne France 🇫🇷 with the most intense, printed color coded itinerary that even included times for naps 😴 -I kid you not-we have used their terminology of “trips” vs “vacations”. 

TRIPS: usually go go go. You are in a city or place for a limited time so you want to see it all. These are tours and reservations and an itinerary. IE our group trip to Morocco. 5 cities in 9 days! Things have to be organized, you may pack outfits based on activities that are planned and you may be tired when you get back. Hence the term “I need a vacation from my vacation”. 

VACATION: more relaxed. Go with the flow vs reservations and tours. Sleeping in in the mornings. Strolling around locations and popping into places. Relaxing on a beach all day for days at a time. Room service. Being lazy in a comfy bed. Going on a cruise. 

Now it is possible to have a mix of these 2! Over the years I have learned a lot from my husband and since he prefers vacations, even if we visit cities, I make sure we have time to relax and stroll around. AND as I have gotten older I definitely need to recharge with vacations. I do feel energized on trips thou lol. 

How about you? What’s your favorite? 

#tripvsvacation #funnymemes4ya #husbandmemes #couplestravel #couplesvacation #couplesgoal #blackcouplestravel #blackcouplestraveltoo #blacklovematters #blacklovecouples #theofficememes
  • Is anyone else holding on to summer like I am? Or are you ready for fall? I have no issue w less humid weather and crisper morning and evening air, I love pumpkin 🎃 but I do know that fall leads to winter and that IS not OK with me!! 

I am already planning my winter 🥶 escapes. And I live in Atlanta!! My skin gets dry, my hands and feet stay cold and I miss feeling the sun 🌞 on my skin!! Maybe it’s my island 🏝️ 🇯🇲 roots lol 

So which one are you? Summer? Fall? Or are you a winter or spring person? 

#summerlover #summerlovers #fall2023 #fallweather🍁 #summer2023☀️🏖🏝 #summer2023collection #travel2023 #travelexperts #blacktravelfeed #melaninmagic
  • My heart is heavy today. I am incredibly sad as I read reports and see the news about the earthquake in Morocco and the effects in Marrakech. 😔😔

As many of you know I traveled with 16 other adventurers for 9 days thru 5 cities in Morocco 🇲🇦 just 3 months ago!!! 

We met so many incredible people. Of course after being on the road that long together we felt close to our guides and drivers. I even had a meeting with two of the team members yesterday while they were in Marrakech and the earthquake happened a few hours later. 

My mind quickly went to them and all the people in my pictures wondering and hoping that they were safe. So far they are. But the death toll is over 1,000 and homes are crumbling. It’s a disaster. 

As a physician this also made me wonder—-are you prepared to handle a natural disaster while traveling? Do you know what to do? Do you have things in order before you go on vacation? Let’s talk about it tomorrow evening LIVE here on Instagram and Facebook at 5pm PT and 8 pm ET. You can share your thoughts on the Maui fires as well. My husband and I were in Maui in April and I’m still trying to comprehend that places we visited are gone. People have lost so much the past few months. Please stay safe. But let’s also get prepared! 

Sound off in the comments with any questions you would like answered tomorrow night! 

Swipe left to see pics from cities all over Morocco 🇲🇦 the people make the place ❤️

#moroccoearthquake #marrakech #marrakechearthquake #naturaldisaster #naturaldisasters #naturaldisastersurvival #survivaltips #earthquakemorocco
  • Do you have a favorite spa in your city 🌆 that you go to regularly?
I do but recently I tried a new one and it was VERY RELAXING! 

I have been to @stregisatl several times over the years but this was my first time using the spa. I had their version of an aromatherapy massage with hot stone add on. 

A few things I truly enjoyed..
1) the changing rooms and relaxation areas were spacious. There was even a “blush room” if you wanted to change in private. 
2) clean showers, saunas and steam rooms (the steam was too hot so I couldn’t stay in there 😣)
3) after my treatment I was offered Prosecco OR at St.Germaine spritzer! I went for the spritzer and it was pretty and refreshing 😋
4) the cool rags and cucumber slices-I took advantage of everything! Lol but it did help my headache 
5) it was not crowded-I always make weekday appointments for the spa. 
6) I was offered macarons and chocolates! I think this was a first for me. I received my own little tray and they were delicious! 
7) The St.Regis does Champagne 🍾sabrage every evening at 6pm. So I ended my spa day with a glass of Champagne 🥂!

The only down side is you have to be a hotel guest to use the pool. I brought my bathing suit ready to relax there and have a late lunch but nope. 

Have you been to this spa or a StRegis spa near you?

@stregishotels #stregisatlanta #stregisatl #buckheadatlanta #discoveratlanta @discoveratlanta #visitatlanta #luxuryatlanta
  • ***SAVE FOR YOUR TRIP TO WASHINGTON DC! 
For those of you that have been following me you know how serious I am about supporting Black-Owned businesses when I travel.

Earlier this month I traveled to Washington DC for the inaugural “Future of Black Tourism” conference held by @blacksintourism . It was an epic event! 

Prior to the conference I spent 2 days exploring Loudoun County Virginia thanks to @visitloudoun Funny story-I used to work at Loudoun County hospital as a physician over 20 years ago! It was hard to believe I was returning as a wine writer and content creator  with @wsetglobal degree! 

Northern Virginia is now a booming wine region and also the location of the 5-star luxury Black-Owned resort @salamanderresort in Middleburg-owned by Sheila Johnson. I was able to take a look around the grounds and it is lovely. 

“The Family Reunion” event in collaboration with @chefkwameonwuachi took place there this past weekend. It is in its 3rd year. I haven’t been yet but I have seen & heard good things. Tickets sell out fast and it’s a lux $$ item so start planning! 

I did spend a few nights @salamanderhoteldc It was the former Mandarin Oriental and there are plans for further renovations including the spa. I loved the spacious room and bathroom. 

These are just 2 of the Salamander properties located in the US and Caribbean. Have you stayed in any of them? Remember, you do not have to be Black to support Black-owned businesses! 

Please like, comment & share! 

#salamanderhotelsandresorts #salamanderhotels #thefamilyreunion #chefkwameonwuachi #sheilajohnson #middleburgva #loveloudoun #washingtondc #blackownedhotel #blackluxurylifestyle #blackluxury #beautifulhotel

Black-Owned Businesses

black-owned businesses in asheville north carolina, hood huggers tours, black-owned business in asheville, asheville north carolina, black-owned restaurants in Asheville, downtown Asheville,

Black-Owned Businesses in Asheville, North Carolina.

September 22, 2021
black-owned rosé wine brands to sip on this summer, rosé wines, black-owned wines, rosé wines, summer wines, black-owned wines, black-owned wineries, mcbride wines, black girl magic wines, brown estate wines,

Black-Owned Rosé Wine Brands to Sip on this Summer.

April 27, 2022
atlanta black-owned restaurants, black-owned restaurants in atlanta, atlanta restaurants, brunch in atlanta, atlanta restaurants

45+ Black-Owned Restaurants in Atlanta You Should Support!

May 15, 2022
black-owned wineries, black-owned businesses, black-owned wines, black winemakers, black wines, black owned wines, black owned wineries, black podcasts, wine, wineries, winemakers. wine regions, napa valley, wine tasting

50+ Black-Owned Wineries & Businesses You Should Follow & Support.

March 15, 2022

Explore the U.S.A

san francisco golden gate bridge, most romantic cities in the us, valentines day

The Most Romantic Cities in the US for Getaways.

February 12, 2023
photo by Adam chandler courtesy of charleston wine and food festival

2022 Charleston Wine + Food Festival-Recap!

March 31, 2022
sonoma county wineries and restaurants, sonoma, california wine region, sonoma wines, wine tasting

Sonoma County Wineries & Restaurants.

December 13, 2021
things to do in malibu california, malibu restaurants, wine tasting in malibu, malibu beaches, shopping in malibu

Things to do in Malibu California this Weekend.

March 21, 2022
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Myrtle Beach Restaurant Guide for Foodies!

The Best Myrtle Beach Restaurants: A Guide for Foodies!

April 12, 2023
15 fun facts about quebec city canada, travel to canada, canadian

15 Fun Quebec City Facts

April 12, 2023
Diner en Blanc Guide for First-Timers! Everything you need to know to attend this magical event! Includes information on purchasing tickets, preparing for the event, costs and what to expect at Diner en Blanc!

Diner en Blanc Guide for First-Timers!

September 19, 2019
Dubai Trip

Dubai Travel Guide for First Time Visitors!

April 12, 2023
Dubai Trip

Dubai Travel Guide for First Time Visitors!

How I spent 5 Days in Dubai and Abu Dhabi! A Desert Safari, Camel rides, Burj Khalifa, High Tea at Burj Al Arab, Shopping in Souks, Visiting the Grand Mosque and so much more!!

How I Spent 5 Days in Dubai and Abu Dhabi!

Visit Jamaica: Land I Love!

Cruising the Mediterranean Sea on Norwegian Epic!

morocco travel planning guide, morocco travel guide, morocco first time visitors guide, merzouga, the sahara, glamping

Planning a trip to Morocco: First-Timer’s Visitor Guide

July 29, 2023
luxury cruise lines, cruises, cruising, top cruise lines,

Top Rated Luxury Cruise Lines!

June 27, 2023
napa valley sign, black-owned wineries in napa and sonoma

Black-Owned Wineries in Napa and Sonoma.

June 19, 2023
river cruise vs ocean cruise: which one is better, river cruising, ocean cruise liner,

River Cruise vs Ocean Cruise: Which One is Right For You?

April 11, 2023
The Sophisicated Life

  • About
  • Travel
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy

© 2022 The Sophisticated Life

The Sophisicated Life

  • About
  • Travel
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • About
  • Travel
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy

© 2020 The Sophisticated Life

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About
  • Travel
  • Wine
  • Food
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • Travel With Me
  • Work With Me
  • Privacy Policy

© 2020 The Sophisticated Life