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The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess Reviews
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| 1 |
Wow! Review by: Legs, Jun 7, 2012 |
| Was I ever happy that I finally decided to see this production -- it's marvelous. I, too, was in tears listening to the Audra McDonald and Norm Lewis duet. The performers were all amazingly talented, especially Phillip Boykin and David Alan Grier. Tonys are this weekend; there are just a few days to easily get tickets because Porgy and Bess will sweep the awards. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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Alone
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| 2 |
Review by: Bill from Long Beach, May 30, 2012 |
| Great production with outstanding performances. Tears were running down my face at the end of the first act...packs such an emotional punch. All of the men had crystal-clear, beautiful voices. Sometimes I could not hear all the lyrics when the women sang...something about the operatic voices they used. Norm Lewis was amazing as the cripple Porgy...David Alan Grier was wonderful as Sporting Life and I was really impressed as I had no clue ... read more what a great voice he had...Audra McDonald was excellent as expected. Reading about the history of this historic musical in the Playbill was emotional too. What a great night at the theatre. Definitely the high point of my early-May visit to New York!! |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Anyone
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| 3 |
A mised opportunity Review by: CM, May 29, 2012 |
| When you have such a talented and charismatic actress giving such a wonderful performance you should make sure that the rest of the aspects of the production are flawless too. Unfortunately they were not. Norm Lewis and the singing ensemble were very good but this was not a good production and the orchestrations were not top notch either. |
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Seniors
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| 4 |
Outstanding Everything Review by: Mara, May 10, 2012 |
| This show will rip your heart out, but keep you engaged and entertained for the entire two plus hours. Audra and Norm have great chemistry and their singing is outstanding. Everyone in the cast who sings a solo blows you away too. There is no weak link in this show.It is all solid, legit and the highest of quality. I wish them luck at the Tonys. They would surely deserve it. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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I saw this show with:
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| 5 |
Review by: Mitchell, Apr 10, 2012 |
| Saw the play on April 5- Absolutely loved it. Highly reccommend it to any lover of musical theater- Audra is amazing- the cast is wonderful- two and a half hours of musical nirvana. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Tourists, Adults
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| 6 |
A Masterpiece indeed Review by: , Apr 8, 2012 |
| Norm Lewis as Porgy will break your heart. Two weeks after seeing the show, I can't get the character out of my mind. Ms. Mc Donald hits notes that I never knew existed. The entire cast is fabulous.The set? The story was so gripping that I never noticed it. I so want to go again, but it's emotionally draining. Brilliant. |
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must see!
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| 7 |
Porgy is Best !!!! Review by: Diract 66, Mar 23, 2012 |
| An emotionally charged evening that keeps your attention from start to finish. If you're looking for a great dramatic story, set to music, than you will want to see this show. Norm Lewis and Audra McDonald will keep you engrossed in this play. Beautiful vocal quality from the entire cast, especially Porgy and Bess, will have you in tears, but their excellent acting performances will last even more. If you are looking for a set to help you ... read more go from scene to scene, forget it. The sparse staging looks like this could take place anywhere. Not creative in any way for a Broadway production, but you do focus on the characters and story more because of its lack of design. Throw up some leftover wood pieces and a platform and you're ready to go on tour. Can you really complain what you have missed from the original when it is not seen here? No! At least this generation will see this show, and this cast makes the evening an emotionally stimulating and unforgettable event. This IS musical theatre. Don't miss it!!!!! George and Ira would be proud too! |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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| 8 |
Go see it! Review by: shida_girl, Mar 12, 2012 |
| Wonderful performance of a classic. Incredibly demanding performances by everyone and they delivered. I have been in anticipation of this play for months and I was not disappointed - it was as amazing as I expected it to be! Yes the staging was minimal but I didn't mind - the fullness of the story and the acting of the actors filled the stage just fine. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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Large Group
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| 9 |
An unforgettable evening! Review by: , Mar 4, 2012 |
| Fantastic theater. This is what theater should be. A timeless story that is still relevant and vibrant today. It is filled with luscious singing, a memorable score and passion. Not to be missed. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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I saw this show with:
Business Associate
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, The Entire Family, Business Assoc.
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| 10 |
Dont miss out on the production Review by: rskblueyes, Feb 24, 2012 |
I had been looking forward to seeing this show since they announced the cast last year. The only other produciton of this show I'd ever seen was at the Metropolitan Opera at Lincoln Center in 1985, which was a big production and over 3 hours long.
This current production has been pared down to about 2 1/2 hours, to me there were no notable cuts in plots or music. Yes the set is very simple as people have mentioned, it did not appear to be a ... read more real neighborhood as all you see is a water pump and some brick. If I was doing the set the design, I would have thrown in some laundry hanging out the windows or on some clothes lines.
All the performances were excellant in voice and in acting. Standouts include the actors playing Serena, Clara, Jake, and Mariah.
The principal leads Phillip Boynton and David Allan Grier gave fantastic performances. I didnt realize that Grier was a triple threat!
As for the main leads, both exceeded my expectations. As we all know Audra McDonald is probally the best all around Broadway actress of her generation. She was in great voice and it was amazing to see her character transform in this role from start to finish. Norm lewis , who is probally one of the best voices around, sounded very hoarse and notes cracked a bit. Im not sure if he was ill or the score was out of his range. His acting was excellant, he physically played this role perfectly.
I hope many will be able to see this production as it doesnt appear on Broadway very often.
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My recommendation:
must see!
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I saw this show with:
Alone
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Seniors, Tourists
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| 11 |
Very Moving Review by: Pumpkin, Feb 6, 2012 |
| I saw the play and it is wonderful, make a point to see it. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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| 12 |
Mixed review; mostly positive. Review by: Ralphie, Feb 2, 2012 |
Wonderful show. Excellent performances, most partucularly Audra McDonald and Norm Lewis. Not only their singing, but their roles are physically demanding beyond anything you'd expect -- each beaten to a pulp for each performance. Every person in the cast does a perfect job; BUT...but...
Not so with the production and set decoration. Not the slightest hint this is a fishing village or Charleston, SC circa 1926. it's down South somewhere,... read more, and how they earn a living is not hinted at. There's lots of cement, and a water pump. Great, a water pump! There's no excuse for the lazy sloppy job with what ought to have been an easy setting to create -- for very little money.
Oddly criticised by some as racist, I'd say buy your tickets to this one with high expectations. The slacker job on the sets dosen't wreck the show, nothing in the show is racist; and on balance this is one of the best.
TIP: Row A sides. Tickets aren't sold because they're "partial view" -- but not if you're 6 feet tall. Slip on up there when the lights go out. Great view! |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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I saw this show with:
Alone
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Recommended for:
Anyone
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| 13 |
Review by: joan, Jan 29, 2012 |
| Loved it! Such beautiful music, songs,and voices. I never saw the opera so I don't know what was missing, but as an afternoon of theater with story, voices, dancing, sets, and OH! drama!!! I was totally sated. This show is so lovely and good. Enjoy! |
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My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
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| 14 |
Review by: Hairybs, Jan 15, 2012 |
| I LOVE Audra McDonald and couldn't wait to see this show. I felt disappointed. The singing was great and I enjoyed the story BUT it seemed choppy. I know the story was revised/cut-down and at times you can tell something was missing. Also, I only recognized 2 songs....this show just wasnt for me. Everyone else I went with really enjoyed it. I guess if you are like me and want a high energy musical comedy, see something else. ... read more If you are a Gershwin fan and enjoy a more operaish show, see this. |
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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| Acting: |
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| Music: |
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I saw this show with:
Large Group
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Seniors, Tourists
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| 15 |
Saw it, loved it, going back to see it again.... Review by: JPM, Jan 14, 2012 |
| We loved PORGY and BESS....saw it in previews and plan to go see it again. The performers and their performances were spectacular. Fantastic! |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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I saw this show with:
Family
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Recommended for:
Anyone
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| * Review is an opinion of a BroadwayBox user and not that of BroadwayBox.com and BroadwayBox, Inc. |
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