PhotosPHOTO EXCLUSIVE: A Two-Show Day at Broadway's Porgy and Bess With Bryonha ParhamThe Gershwins' Porgy and Bess opened on Broadway Jan. 12, 2012. We revisit this exclusive backstage feature from the run. Bryonha Parham, who stopped the show with her rendition of "My Man's Gone Now," took Playbill.com through a busy day with the residents of Catfish Row.
By
Matthew Blank
January 12, 2015
Armed with a digital camera, Parham takes readers on a tour of the Richard Rodgers Theatre, introducing the many talented people who make the show happen eight times a week and offering an extensive look at the tight-knit ensemble's daily routines.
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PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: A Two-Show Day at Broadway's Porgy and Bess With Bryonha Parham
PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: A Two-Show Day at Broadway's Porgy and Bess With Bryonha Parham
Spend a two-show day at The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess on Broadway, starring Norm Lewis and Audra McDonald. Bryonha Parham, who stops the show with her rendition of "My Man's Gone Now," takes Playbill.com through a busy day with the residents of Catfish Row. Read the Playbill.com story.
60 PHOTOS
Every morning starts with dog cuddling. It's a must! This is my rescue dog, Obi. We're both very mysterious.
Bryonha Parham
Usually before two-show days, I have breakfast with friends. It's great catch up time AND it warms up my healthy mix!
Bryonha Parham
One of my besties, Jon, and my friend Rachel who came all the way from Milwaukee to see the show.
Bryonha Parham
My view from the stage door at the Richard Rodgers. I have the best job... in the world.
Parham's previous credits include Ragtime (Broadway revival), Ain't Love Grand, Red Eye of Love, For the Glory, Ain't Misbehavin', Crowns and Once on This Island.
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The opera has music by George Gershwin, lyrics by his brother Ira and a book and additional lyrics by DuBose Heyward. It is based on the play Porgy, by DuBose and Dorothy Heyward. Norm Lewis (Sondheim on Sondheim, Side Show, Les Miserables) stars as the crippled beggar Porgy opposite four-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald (Ragtime, Marie Christine, Master Class) as Bess.
Tony-nominated Hair director Diane Paulus directs the streamlined, two-and-a-half-hour version of the musical, which replaces portions of the sung recitative with dialogue. It opened Jan. 12 at the Richard Rodgers Theatre and recently extended its run through Sept. 30. The Gershwin and Heyward estates gave Paulus their blessing to take a fresh approach to the four-hour opera. Paulus brought on board Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Suzan-Lori Parks (Topdog/Underdog, Book of Grace), who is credited with adaptation and additional scenes, and Pulitzer Prize nominee Diedre Murray (Running Man), credited with musical adaptation.
According to the producers, Porgy and Bess "is set in Charleston’s fabled Catfish Row, where the beautiful Bess struggles to break free from her scandalous past, and the only one who can rescue her is the crippled but courageous Porgy. Threatened by her formidable former lover Crown, and the seductive enticements of the colorful troublemaker Sporting Life, Porgy and Bess’ relationship evolves into a deep romance that triumphs as one of theater’s most exhilarating love stories."
