Porgy and Bess and Fortune

In May, Sherry and I drove out to move Leah out of NYU - New York University - which is in downtown Manhattan.  Our Luther friend, Ruth Olson was kind enough to let us stay at her apartment for the Saturday evening we were in The City, so we suggested that the four of us take in a Broadway show. 

Leah met us at the ticket sellers, and had already provided us with options by the time we arrived.  We chose to see "Porgy and Bess."  I have always enjoyed musicals, but while I knew a smattering about Porgy and Bess, I had certainly never seen it, so I was not quite sure what to expect.  Leah had heard very good things about it, though, so we gladly bought the tickets (at half price -- which is still pretty expensive by midwest standards, but an excellent option for Broadway.)

What's it about?  From the show's website:

Set in the 1930s in an African-American Charleston neighborhood known as Catfish Row, Porgy and Bess centers on the tragic love story of the cripple beggar Porgy and beautiful Bess, who longs to turn away from her former life as a prostitute and cocaine addict. After a murder, Bess’ abusive partner Crown flees, leaving her at the mercy of a disapproving community and tempted by the seductive drug dealer Sporting Life. Bess strikes up an unlikely relationship with Porgy and gradually finds acceptance on Catfish Row—until a hurricane and the return of Crown change everyone’s lives forever.

The play was marvelous.  We felt very fortunate to have seen such an excellent production on the spur of the moment.

Later in the spring, we learned just how fortunate we had been.  We had seen the winner of the 2012 Tony for "Best Revival of a Musical" and we saw Audra McDonald perform Bess, for which she won the 2012 Tony for "Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical." 

I don't know who her competition was, but I can certainly believe Ms. McDonald was deserving.  This is her fifth Tony, but many TV viewers would know her from her role on Private Practice.

Bess is a very difficult role.  She's caught in a life which offers no real security, and while she wants to change her circumstances, she has finds it necessary to make very hard choices just to survive.  McDonald has to show great versatility, and she succeeds.  There is a heartbreaking scene or two in this show, and Bess is the heart of those scenes -- the heart of the show that breaks more than once.

Norm Lewis plays Porgy, which should be more than a "by the way."  He is a match for McDonald, and the two play extremely well off of each other.  We care about him, and her, and them -- and that makes the whole show work.

I am very thankful that we had the good fortune to see this play.  Should you ever get the chance, I highly recommend it.  So does Tony.