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"Porgy and Bess" Theater Program - Curran Theatre in San Francisco 1953 Production starring Cab Calloway (as Sportin' Life), LaVern Hutcherson and Leslie Scott - Softcover (9" x 12") - Produced by Blevins Davis and Robert Breen; Music by George Gershwin; words by DuBose Heyward -28 pages (with numerous black & white photos of the stars and the productions) - EXCELLENT condition. "Porgy and Bess" was an opera composed in 1934 by George Gershwin, with a libretto written by DuBose Heyward and Ira Gershwin from Heyward's novel "Porgy" and later play of the same title. "Porgy and Bess" was first performed in New York City on September 30, 1935, and featured an entire cast of classically trained black singers. After an initially unpopular public reception, the Houston Grand Opera production of the opera gained popularity, eventually becoming one of the best-known and most frequently performed operas. Gershwin had read "Porgy" in 1926 and proposed that he should collaborate with Heyward on "Porgy and Bess." In 1934, Gershwin and Heyward began work on the project by visiting the author's native Charleston. Gershwin explained why he called "Porgy and Bess" a folk opera in a 1935 New York Times article: "'Porgy and Bess' is a folk tale. Its people naturally would sing folk music. When I first began work in the music I decided against the use of original folk material because I wanted the music to be all of one piece. Therefore I wrote my own spirituals and folksongs. But they are still folk music – and therefore, being in operatic form, 'Porgy and Bess' becomes a folk opera." The libretto of "Porgy and Bess" tells the story of Porgy, a disabled black beggar living in the slums of Charleston, South Carolina. It deals with his attempts to rescue Bess from the clutches of Crown, her violent and possessive lover, and Sportin' Life, the drug dealer. Where the earlier novel and stage-play differ, the opera generally follows the stage-play. In the years following Gershwin's death, "Porgy and Bess" was adapted for smaller scale performances, This is the theater program for one of those performances. Included in this program is a cast list insert, cast photos and bios, bios of the producers as well as George and Ira Gershwin and DuBose Heyward, production stills, New York production and European Tour reviews, a diagram identifying the tennants of Catfish Row and much more. There is some browning inside the front cover due to the cast insert which is printed on newsprint, and some minor edge wear, but this vintage theater program is still in EXCELLENT condition and would be a wonderful addition to any collection of vintage theater programs. No collection of Cab Calloway items or theater programs is complete without this one. Check out the scan for the great artwork on the cover. You won't be disappointed. All previous buyers of my programs have been completely satisfied. I have many others available; please inquire. The program will be sent via Media mail shipping in the USA to minimize shipping costs. I will combine shipping to reduce charges for multiple items. Priority mail is also available. If interested, please inquire. Credit cards are accepted through PayPal.com. Please see my auctions and my eBay store for hundreds of books and a wide variety of sports and non-sports collectibles. All items are packed with care to insure safe delivery. Please contact me if you have any questions. 6-11-15 -- 3.6 Top Drawer