ANDY DRACHENBERG: When you first heard about Porgy and Bess, what about this story captivated you as something you wanted to work on?
JOSHUA HENRY – I think what continues to stir me the most about this story is the “against the odds” love connection between a man who is crippled and a woman who is a scorned outsider from the community. To me it says, love can find you no matter who you are or where you’ve come from. And of course, to be able to do a piece that is mostly done as an opera for the Broadway audience is a brave undertaking. The opportunity to be a part of a bold endeavor in the arts isn’t always possible, so I jumped at this.
AD – Did you know a lot about this show before then?
JH – I remember growing up hearing ‘Summertime’ sung by Ella Fitzgerald and many others, but I didn’t know it was from Porgy and Bess until I listened to a recording of it in college. Still, all I knew was that it was a Gershwin score and that it was seen as racially controversial. I hadn’t read the play, seen a live production, or had the opportunity to be involved in one until now.
AD– Can you tell me the significance of Porgy and Bess?
JH – Well, it gave black, classically trained artists an opportunity to show their craft. There weren’t as many opportunities in the 1930’s for black actors to perform, so I’m grateful this show was created as I’m getting a unique opportunity from it in 2011. Aside from that, there are the contributions to popular music. ‘Summertime’ and ‘It ain’t necessarily so’ are some of the most covered songs in popular music history. I love when I tell someone that and they say, “wow! That’s from an opera?”
AD– What about this show is going to be different and unique for audiences to experience?
JH – A lot of my friends that know about musicals always ask me- “Oh you’re in Porgy and Bess! So it’s like an opera, and I’m not going to understand the Words?” NO! You will hear operatic sound, but the cast is a unique mix of performers who operatic and musical stages. So I for one can’t wait till we record this cast album. I believe that musically and dramatically, this score and story will be fulfilling whether you are used to seeing operas, plays, or musicals.
AD– Your last show on Broadway was The Scottsboro Boys. Tell me about returning with the Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess.
JH – Okay- Anytime you know you’re moving to Broadway before you start an out of town run, it just feels so good! That makes this production at the A.R.T. an opportunity to refine the show as opposed to “trying it out” and wondering if it will move forward.
Playing Haywood Patterson in “The Scottsboro Boys” on Broadway was a life-changing experience for many reasons, but one of my biggest joys was getting to play a character that I truly admire. In Porgy and Bess, I play a hard working fisherman who puts his family first. Yes! I guess I’ve been lucky enough to play the “good guys” on Broadway.
AD – What are you hoping audiences experience at the show?
Joshua Henry. Broadway:The Scottsboro Boys(Haywood Patterson, Tony nomination), American Idiot(Favorite Son), In the Heights(Ensemble/u.s.Benny, Drama Desk award for Outstanding Ensemble Performance). Off-Broadway: The Wiz and In the Heights. Regional: American Idiot, Berkeley Rep Theatre; Godspell, Paper Mill Playhouse. Film: Sex and the City. Television: Kings. Bachelor in Music degree from University of Miami Frost School of Music. Founding member of Jaradoa Theater Company and Revolucion Latina, for which he composed the title track “Dare to Go Beyond” on their debut CD “Dare to Go Beyond” the Album.