Music in Van Wert By Paul G. Hoverman Coordinator of Performing Arts/Van Wert County Foundation

Porgy & Bess turns 75 at NPAC 

    Just in time for Christmas presents, the heralded and one-time controversial opera Porgy & Bess releases tickets today at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center of Northwest Ohio for its huge February 18 performance.  Tickets are available beginning today and until they are sold-out at the box office.  Those with grand series and select series have already secured their seats, but about 700 seats will be released beginning today to the public.

    Dicapo Opera Theatre, widely heralded as NYC’s third-most prominent Opera Company after the Met and NYCO have created this completely brand-new production of Porgy and Bess in celebration of the 75th anniversary debut on Broadway in 1935. A new cast, production team, sets, costumes, lighting design, and an expanded pit orchestra of 18 musicians make up this production of George Gershwin’s mega-hit folk-opera. All productions of this show has the approval from the Gershwin estate.

    Van Wert will begin the tour and host the cast and production for three days as they prepare for their national opening!  We are hopeful of bringing some very special offerings of historical, dramatic and educational significance to our area while they are in Van Wert.  Stay tuned for more on this.

    If you are not familiar with the story of Porgy & Bess, you might want to look it up on the internet or better yet, stop by the Brumback Library to read about it.  As we draw closer to the performance, the library will be partnering with us to educate the community of this significant opera which hit Broadway 75 years ago.

    As interesting and significant as the story is to America’s history of racism and its effect on modern culture, it is the exceptional music that really draws my interest.  Over the years, some of the most notable Black American singers and actors/actresses have performed roles in Porgy & Bess, including: Leontyne Price, William Warfield, Cab Calloway, and Maya Angelou.  It is interesting to note that just recently, Maya Angelou appeared at our Van Wert Starr Commonwealth and many years ago, William Warfield actually sang on the Marsh Auditorium stage.  I also had the privilege of performing with Warfield in Lima a few years before his passing in 2002.

    It’s the music that has become Americana to so many.  Songs like “Summertime”, “I Got Plenty of Nuttin’”, “It Ain’t Necessarily So”, “Bess, You is My Woman Now” and “O Lawd, I’m On My Way” are just a handful of the memorable Gershwin classics from this opera. Jazz and Classical musicians of highest regard have recorded these songs.

    We feel extremely honored to be able to bring this monumental production to the Central Insurance stage of the NPAC in Van Wert.  I would suggest you get your tickets quickly as they will disappear soon from people all over the region.  The box office opens today at noon and until 4 p.m.  You may also reserve seats on-line at www.npacvw.org.

    This weekend, Larry Gatlin, the Gatlin Brothers and Irish/American singer, Andy Cooney take the Niswonger stage in a show entitled “American Voices”.  A few tickets remain for this show which is Saturday night at 7:30 p.m.  It will be a wonderful way to celebrate family, faith and America at this Thanksgiving time.  After all, isn’t this what Thanksgiving was and is all about?  I hope to see you there!

    FINÉ.