A POWERFUL, SPELLBINDING “PORGY AND BESS”
Laquita Mitchell (Bess) and Eric Owens (Porgy) photo by Terrence McCarthy
PORGY AND BESS by George Gershwin, Dubose and Dorothy Heyward and Ira Gershwin at the War Memorial Opera House,
(415) 864-3330, www.sfopera.com. All performances sold out with $10 standing room available for June 21, 24 and last performance
A POWERFUL, SPELLBINDING “PORGY AND BESS”
Last night the sold out audience gave San Francisco Opera’s summer series presentation of George Gershwin’s “Porgy and Bess” a much deserved standing ovation. In this fourth evening staging of seven that are scheduled, the principal singers were in great form but must share the accolades with the marvelous chorus (42 plus). They not only filled the physical space with verisimilitude but also added a striking vocal background for the inexorable drama unfolding on brilliantly conceived Catfish Row sets with mood evoking lighting making it a visual feast to compliment the singing and acting.
For this production, the San Francisco Opera is partnered with the Lorraine Hansberry Theatre one of the leading African American theatres in the nation. The cast is populated with singers/actors from around the country with most having played their roles in other venues. John DeMain who won multiple awards for his history-making Houston Grand Opera production conducts Francesca Zambello’s
From “Summertime”, the opening number by Angel Blue, as Clara, filling the stage with her lyrical voice the progression keeps you riveted to your seat. Chauncey Parker as Sportin’ Life imbues the character with devilish humor while Lester Lynch’s dominating voice is thoroughly frightening in the role of Crown. Merola Program alumnae American bass-baritone Eric Owens (Porgy) and Laquita Mitchell (Bess), are a perfect pairing for the leads. The dignity Owens invests in Porgy, the crippled beggar, is stunning and matches Mitchell’s lyric soprano projection of the emotionally crippled Bess. In the lesser roles, Karen Slack (Serena), Alteouise deVaughn (Maria) and Eric Greene (Jake) all are in excellent voice and at times dominate the stage while interacting with the leads and ensemble.
The shortened present version runs three hours, with intermission, and to those not opera aficionados, will be pleased with the “Broadway hits” such as “It Ain’t Necessarily So” and “I Got Plenty of Nothin’.” All in all, there is plenty for everyone and standing room is worth a try. This is an Opera Vision Performance with a large high definition screen hung from the ceiling of the balcony section providing close-up and midrange ensemble shots in high-definition video with Super titles at the bottom of each screen.
Kedar K. Adour, MD
Courtesy of TheatreWorldInternetMagazine.com