Porgy and Bess poster collection

Access and use

Location of collection:
George Mason University
2400 Fenwick Library
Special Collections Research Center
Fenwick Library MS2FL
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA 22030
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Mieko Palazzo
Phone: (703) 993-2220
Fax: (703) 993-2669

Summary

Extent:
60 posters
Creator:
Brown, Lorraine, 1929-2010
Abstract:
This collection contains posters promoting the ANTA-sponsored production of Porgy and Bess as it toured various countries, mostly European, during the 1950s.
Language:
Multiple

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains posters promoting the ANTA-sponsored production of Porgy and Bess as it toured various countries, mostly European, during the 1950s.

Biographical / historical:

Porgy and Bess was a three act "folk opera" originally produced by The Theatre Guild at the Alvin Theatre, New York City, in 1927. It was taken directly from a book by Dubose Heyward titled Porgy, with lyrics and music by Ira and George Gershwin. Robert Breen, secretary for the American National Theatre and Academy (ANTA) was instrumental in bringing federal financing to the performing arts on the American scene and promoting artistic and cultural exchanges between the U.S. and Europe. Beginning in 1949 with a U.S. tour of Hamlet throughout Europe, ANTA sponsored such projects as the American National Ballet Theatre's tour of Europe, and American participation in the Berlin Arts Festival in 1951. Porgy and Bess, which showed a different side of life in America, was one of the productions chosen to be played before European audiences in 1952. Breen directed and co-produced it with Blevins Davis. This critically acclaimed revival of Porgy and Bess toured twenty-nine countries in North and South America and Europe for four years from 1952-1956.

Acquisition information:
Collection donated by Lorraine Brown in 1995.
Arrangement:

The posters are arranged alphabetically according to the country in which the performances were produced.

Indexed terms

Subjects:
Theatrical posters.