Presented for the first time in Lyric Opera history, Porgy and Bess is the quintessential American opera. The source of some of the twentieth century's most beloved songs—including “Summertime”—this jazzy Gershwin score is unforgettable. The opera paints a vivid picture of life in the Charleston neighborhood Catfish Row, where a poignant “opposites attract” romance unfolds alongside a powerful portrait of a community that unites in the face of tragedy and triumph.
Content advisory: Porgy and Bess contains depictions of violence, domestic abuse, murder, and drug use.
Cast
Eric Greene*
Porgy
Michelle Bradley*
Bess
Donovan Singletary*
Crown
Jermaine Smith*
Sportin' Life
Brandie Sutton*
Clara
Norman Garrett*
Jake
Katerina Burton*
Serena
La'Shelle Allen*
Maria
David Morgans
Mingo
Bernard Holcomb*
Robbins/Crab Man
Marcel Daly*
Peter, the Honeyman
Evan J. Nelson
Jim
Brian Keith Smith Jr.
Undertaker
LaTeesha Jackson
Lily
Amari Lewis
Annie
David Pelino*^
Nelson
MiKayla Lynn Hatfield^
Strawberry Woman
Alex Smith^
Detective
Ensemble
Soprano
- Feban Assefa*
- Maurissa Cunningham*
- Alexis Derritt*
- Sheriece Veazey-McNally*
Alto
- Prenicia Clifton
- Daphany Edwards*
- Brietta Goodman*
- Nguyen Nicholson*
- Toni Rainey*
Tenor
- Prince-Russel Johnson*
- Shane St. James-Wolfe*
Bass-Baritone
- Cameron Ferguson
- Paul J. Joseph*
- Anthony Perkins Jr.
Creative Team
Michael Ellis Ingram*
Conductor
Francesca Zambello
Director
Eric Sean Fogel
Associate Director/Choreographer
Joshua Horowitz
Assistant Director
Peter J. Davison
Set Designer
Paul Tazewell*
Costume Designer
Mark McCullough
Lighting Designer
A.J. Guban
Revival Lighting Designer
* Lyric Opera Debut
^ Lyric Opera Resident Artist
Engage with the Story
Porgy and Bess in Context
February 17, 2026 | 6:00 pm
Porgy and Bess has raised questions about who creates art, how people are represented, and what impact it leaves behind. Join us for a discussion about these topics with panelists Michael Ellis Ingram and Dr. Howard Pollack. The conversation will be led by Dr. Paul Laird. Learn more.
From Story to Song
Monday, February 23, 2026 | 6:00 pm
Join us as Dr. Paul Laird leads us through the journey of the creation of Porgy and Bess, its vibrant score, the opera's performance history and reception, and its enduring legacy in American opera. Learn more.
Meet the Artists of Porgy and Bess
Monday, March 2, 2026 | 6:00 pm
Meet the talented artists of Porgy and Bess! Learn more about their careers, their unique experiences bringing this iconic opera to life, and the stories behind their performances. Learn more.
Porgy and Bess 101
Get to know the basics of the opera by reading about the history, cast, characters, and creators of Porgy and Bess with this free PDF resource! Only two pages long, this fact sheet is perfect for opera enthusiasts and newbies alike, covering all you need to know in preparation for the performance.
Photos of the Show
Porgy and Bess photos by Karli Cadel for Houston Grand Opera.
Listen on Spotify
Season Sponsors
With public support from the State of Missouri and the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency.
Porgy and Bess is supported, in part, by the City of Kansas City, Missouri Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund and the Mark Edelman Theater Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Kansas City.
