Stop 2 on our 100 year trip through the history of the American musical: 1935 and Porgy & Bess. With music by George Gershwin and lyrics by his brother Ira and original Porgy novelist Debose Heyward, Porgy & Bess was immediately hailed as a masterpiece when it debuted in 1935, though it has been troubled from the start by the question of whether it's too much of an opera to be a musical, and vice versa. As time has passed, the question of whether the piece is inherently racist has also risen and gotten more urgent. But the score remains as one of the great acheivements of the American theater, regardless of genre. In this episode, we discuss the iconic "Summertime" and Porgy & Bess.

All clips are from a 1935 recording of Abbie Mitchell, who originally sang "Summertime" in the first prodcution, and are protected by the Fair Use guidelines of Section 107 of the Copyright Act for criticism and commentary. All rights reserved to the copyright owners. Watch a modern operatic performance of "Summertime." George Gershwin introducing and conducting pieces from Porgy & Bess, including "Summertime." Listen to the SMSTS playlist on Spotify

Follow SMSTS on Instagram: @somuchstufftosing

Email the show: [email protected] Recommended Reading/Viewing:

George Gershwin in the New York Times about calling Porgy & Bess a "folk opera"

Sondheim's 2011 letter responding to an article about the most recent Broadway revival

Ethan Mordden, Anything Goes: A History of American Musical Theater (Mordden's other volumes are also excellent resources for more in-depth discussion)

Broadway: The American Musical