Description: This is a rare promotional DVD from PBS of Porgy & Bess. The DVD contains the full 2 1/2 hour show (as well as a short behind-the-scenes look at the musical). The DVD comes sealed inside a plain jewel case. The DVD is stamped with basic information. There is no colorful label, insert or outer packaging. There are subtitles of the lyrics at the bottom of the screen throughout the entire show. Quality: The quality is not great, but it's good enough. The program is not in HD. I would give it a 5 on a scale of 1 to 10. It won't look sharp on a large HD screen. Please keep this in mind before you purchase. Season 14 of Great Performances at the Met continues with Gershwin’s folk opera The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess. Eric Owens and Angel Blue star as the sympathetic duo Porgy and Bess in this primetime production. The all-star ensemble features Alfred Walker as Crown, Frederick Ballentine as Sportin’ Life, Latonia Moore as Serena, Golda Schultz as Clara and Donovan Singletary as Jake. David Robertson conducts. James Robinson’s production takes place in the 1920s inside Catfish Row, a tenement neighborhood of Charleston, South Carolina, beginning with its inhabitants relaxing after a day’s work. Historical Context and Production Approach: “Porgy and Bess” is a 1935 opera by American composer George Gershwin, with a libretto written by author DuBose Heyward and lyricist Ira Gershwin. It was adapted from Dorothy Heyward and DuBose Heyward’s play “Porgy,” itself an adaptation of DuBose Heyward’s 1925 novel of the same name. This Met Opera production takes a fresh approach to a complicated masterpiece, which has been criticized for its African American stereotypes since its 1935 debut. The setting — Catfish Row, a Charleston, South Carolina neighborhood – is now a close-knit, aspirational working-class community in which everyone is doing his or her best to get by, instead of an abandoned slum. Great Performances at The Met: The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess features the original 1935 libretto, lyrics and music with new staging from director James Robinson, who says: “The inhabitants of Catfish Row are integral to everything that’s going on with every other character. You get to know how this community functions. It’s a very religious community—they’re bound by their faith. Every individual in that community of Catfish Row, every member of the chorus, has a story.” Regarding the characters, Great Performances at The Met: The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess director James Robinson said, “We have to treat these people with great dignity, and take them seriously. When they become caricatures, it just seems to ring false.” Short Listing Enjoy the American folk opera set in 1920s Charleston with a classic score by George Gershwin. Long Listing Enjoy this classic American folk opera that brings 1920s Charleston to life with a beloved score from George Gershwin in a new production directed by James Robinson. Eric Owens and Angel Blue star in the title roles and David Robertson conducts. Notable Talent Eric Owens – PorgyAngel Blue – BessAlfred Walker – CrownFrederick Ballentine – Sportin’ LifeLatonia Moore – SerenaGolda Schultz – ClaraDenyce Graves – MariaDonovan Singletary – JakeAudra McDonald – Host Run time: 3 hours
Price: 14.99 USD
Location: South Pasadena, California
End Time: 2024-08-07T16:43:39.000Z
Shipping Cost: 0 USD
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Item Specifics
Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 30 Days
Refund will be given as: Money back or replacement (buyer's choice)
Format: DVD
Movie/TV Title: porgy & bess
UPC: Does not apply
