Porgy and Bess (6 Oct. 1993)

The story of a disabled beggar in Charleston,S.C. who falls in love with a prostitute, this is the first filmed version of Gershwin's opera which uses Gershwin's own orchestrations and ... See full summary »

Director:

Trevor Nunn

Writers:

DuBose Heyward (libretto), DuBose Heyward (based on the play by),

Stars:

Willard White, Cynthia Haymon, Gregg Baker

Won 1 Primetime Emmy. Another 1 win & 3 nominations.

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Willard White	...	Porgy
Cynthia Haymon	...	Bess
Gregg Baker	...	Crown
Cynthia Clarey	...	Serena
Marietta Simpson	...	Maria
Damon Evans	...	Sportin' Life
Paula Ingram	...	Clara, and singing voice of Annie
Harolyn Blackwell	...	Clara (singing voice)
Gordon Hawkins	...	Jake
Bruce Hubbard	...	Jake (singing voice)
Barrington Coleman	...	Mingo
D. Alonzo Washington	...	Robbins
Johnny Worthy	...	Robbins (singing voice)
Curtis Watson	...	Jim
Mervin Wallace	...	Peter

Storyline

The story of a disabled beggar in Charleston,S.C. who falls in love with a prostitute, this is the first filmed version of Gershwin's opera which uses Gershwin's own orchestrations and practically all of the music, with only one major cut.

---

Plot Keywords:

gershwin | opera | lovers living together | disability | drugs | 

---

Genres:

Comedy | Drama

---

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 October 1993 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Shepperton Studios, Shepperton, Surrey, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Homevale, Primetime Television Ltd.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

184 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Contrary to what some reviews say, this production was videotaped, not filmed, and taped not on location but entirely on studio soundstages.

---

Quotes

Sportin' Life: [singing] I ain't telling you nothin', But a woman that's got just one man, maybe she got him for keeps. But when she got two men, there's mighty apt to be a carvin'. Then the cops come in and takes the leavin's. And pretty soon, she ain't got none!

---

Connections

Version of Porgy and Bess (1959)

---

Soundtracks

"Finale: O Lawd, I'm On My Way"
Music by George Gershwin
Lyrics by DuBose Heyward
Sung by Willard White, Marietta Simpson, Cynthia Clarey, Mervin Wallace, Maureen Breathwaite and Chorus

User Reviews

Exceptional Production of an Exceptional Work

This production is a collector's item. Stage or other productions of Porgy and Bess are rare.

I concur in the reviews above except the first, which I find a bit too demanding. The production, due to the curious solution regarding the casting, really can't be considered as "perfect," but it is truly remarkable. It is otherwise as good as a television adaptation of an opera can get. Will anyone ever attempt Scott Joplin's Treemonisha?

To answer one concern, that it is overly romantic? Well, yes, the story is indeed romantic --- the essence of the story is a romance. One could remark that the setting is "romanticized," not truly representative of the Low Country Gullah culture, but this interpretation seems too limiting and unappreciative of the contributions of Gullah culture which Heyward and the Gershwins sought to reflect. The wonderful stories of The Song of the South (which are based on Gullah stories) have been basically lost due to the virtual "blacklisting" of that production. It does thankfully seem that Porgy and Bess has avoided this obstacle.