Ques, Red Hat Society, community enjoy "Porgy and Bess" for scholarships

Outside Strand Theatre before "Porgy and Bess"

"Portraits of Porgy & Bess" operatic concert was sold out at 550-seat Strand Theatre in downtown Marietta, Ga. Saturday night.  Fourteen favorite selections from the opera were performed including "Summertime", "Bess, You Is My Woman Now," and "It Ain't Necessarily So" featuring Maria Clark as Bess, Michael McBride as Porgy, and Darrel McGhee as Sportin' Life. A show favorite, "Summertime" was sung by Bernice Hogan Hall.

Before the event, members of the local Omega Psi Phi fraternity attended a social at Col. Dollar's home before heading to the theatre. Others gathered at the balcony bar for cocktails. I posed with Meteorologist and Que Chesley McNeil who ordered perfect weather for the performance.

Inside, the Strand was hectic.

 

Some theatre goers dressed up, while others dressed down.

The event was an Americolor Opera Alliance production directed by Founder Dr. Sharon J. Willis. The scholarship event raised money for deserving recipients and was sponsored by 2nd Century Invictus Fund, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Croy Engineering, Georgia Power, Culpepper & Associates Security Services, Inc., and Poole's Pharmacy.

The stage was small and non-conducive to movement. Dr. Willis announced the performance.

The original "Porgy and Bess" was written by George Gershwin, DuBose and Dorothy Heyward, and Ira Gershwin and was first performed in 1935. It was sometimes criticized for its racial stereotypes although hailed as a folk opera. George Gershwin died intestate two years later of a malignant brain tumor. According to his biography on Wikipedia, "Initially a commercial failure, 'Porgy and Bess' later went on to be considered one of the most important American operas of the Twentieth century, and an American cultural classic."

"Summertime"

As a Theatre and Drama minor, this reviewer was impressed with the well organized atmosphere and artistry of the 12 singers who all had advanced music degrees and outstanding performance backgrounds. Mr. Phillip Skerreett, Jr. was pianist, and narrators were David Vaughn and Kappitola Williams.

Three drawbacks hurt the performance. The singers did not utilize the stage well, for they were hampered in their stage presence by metal barricades and small stage size. People were allowed to walk into the theater 30 minutes into the performance which caused distractions. And it was more like an operatic choir singing instead of an opera performance as billed.

This was a scholarship event for local students.

But all in all, it was a marvelous night and well attended. Most of the Ques, members of local Chi Gamma Gamma Chapter, wore tuxedos, and the Red Hat Ladies made a dramatic showing. 

Some Red Hat Society ladies posed for photo. 

Police Chief Register and wife talked with theatre goers in balcony bar.

Entrance to Theatre

Back in 1935 when "Porgy and Bess" first debuted, Blacks could only sit in the balcony... times have changed!

(Photos by Kurk and Tomi Johnson)