ANDY DRACHENBERG: How did you get involved with The Gershwins’ PORGY AND BESS?
PHILLIP BOYKIN: When I was a young boy in West Greenville, South Carolina, I saw the album cover with Leontyne Price and William Warfield in the title roles of Porgy and Bess. These African-Americans on the cover were role models I could identify with and I remember thinking if they could make a living as singers, I could too. I began dreaming of becoming a famous singer.
Since 1996, I’ve been performing in the opera Porgy and Bess. It seems like forever. I’ve traveled all around the world performing the role of Crown or Jake or some smaller roles or being in the chorus. I’ve performed in New Zealand, Australia, Japan, all over Europe, Russia, Poland, Switzerland, and Portugal as well as throughout the United States. Having done a workshop with Diane Paulus and Diedre Murray, they wanted to hear me for “Crown” and the rest is history.
AD: What do you think has helped define this story as such a classic?
PB: The Gershwins’ PORGY AND BESS is about situations we all face in our lives, such as: loving and being loved, dealing with tough changes, not letting your past dictate your future, and learning to hope for a better tomorrow no matter how difficult that may be. The Gershwins’ PORGY AND BESS is a true American classic story of overcoming the odds and finding your way to your happiness and dreams. I think we can all identify with some part of this wonderful masterpiece.
AD: Who is Crown?
PB: Crown is actually really a good guy in my book who drinks too much. And when he does, he gets a little out of hand – like my older sister. Lord, I hope she never sees this! We can be at a family gathering, and she’s the sweetest thing, cooking all of this wonderful food, and then she’ll take one little nip or too many and here comes trouble or Ms. Hide. Next thing you know, she’s cussing everybody out and ready to fight. Crown could be her brother, because all hell breaks loose as soon as he drinks too much.
Maybe when he was younger, he went through some terrible tragedy and now he drinks to block out or erase those bad memories. In the community of Catfish Row, he’ll either fight you, or fight for you. You just never know, so you have to be careful around him. He’ll take you out if he wants to.
AD: What about this show is going to be different for audiences to experience?
PB: Well, I’m in it – (laughs). I’m just kidding around. The truth is: this creative team is outrageously gifted and talented! After having done Porgy and Bess so many times, just the thought of it becoming a musical theatre piece was something I was very unsure about. Now that I’ve seen it and we’ve been rehearsing, it is phenomenally even more wonderful. Diane Paulus, our director, is brilliant, and her concept has taken it to another level.
I talked to someone who had just seen our preview and she said:
“I’ve seen Porgy and Bess so many times and I always leave singing the tunes but I never even think much about the story. This production made me feel more about Porgy and Bess, and all the characters in the show. This production made me realize that Porgy and Bess are really paralleled characters. They both are crippled, and both don’t believe that any one can truly love them.”
The original is fabulous, and it’s hard to imagine it being any better, but wait until you see this one! I really hope you love it as much as I do.
AD: How was the experience at A.R.T.?
PB: Wonderful! Everyone is so kind and genuinely loves the theater and the arts and it shows. Being in the show there, I got to see the characters in a different light – going even deeper into who they are by being allowed the time to get to know these people of Catfish Row.
Another thing that makes A. R. T. over-the-top for me is the great people I’m working with. I used to watch Audra McDonald on television and dream of working with her… now, I’m playing opposite her. This is OUTRAGEOUS! I know you wish you could be me right now, right? David Alan Grier – I grew up watching him on television. He’s one of my favorite actors and comedians in the whole world, and I’m on the stage with him! I did a special performance for my brother’s appreciation banquet, and I bought Norm Lewis’ CD and performed his version of ‘No One Is Alone.’ Just to be on the stage with these actors, these TONY Award winners and nominees, these seasoned Broadway actors… it’s just such a great experience.
I wish you all could be onstage with me, but there’s just not enough room! I’ll tell you all about it in two words… IT’S GREAT!
AD: How are you feeling about bringing The Gershwins’ PORGY AND BESS to Broadway?
PB: This will be my first Broadway show, which is a huge accomplishment for me given that I’ve come from the poorest part of West Greenville, South Carolina. To finally be at this point in my career is so amazing and such a blessing. This inspires me to continue to tell people, young and old like I learned in my adopted father’s youth theater the Phillis Wheatley Repertory Theater for Youth’s original show, “Don’t Give Up On Your Dream!”
It may be a long and hard climb but keep the faith and give it a little time. The light will come and your day will dawn so, don’t ever give up on your dreams.
Phillip Boykin (Crown) The Gershwins’ PORGY AND BESS (Crown), American Repertory Theater. National Tours: The 75th Anniversary of Porgy And Bess, (Crown, dir. Charles Randolph-Wright), Show Boat, (Joe, dir. Clayton Phillips). Regional theater: Crowns (Man, dir. Ken Roberson), Arena Stage; Jesus Christ Superstar(Caiaphas, dir. Robert Johanson), North Shore Music Theatre; Smokey Joe’s Café (Fred, dir. Barry Ivan), Pittsburg CLO; If This Hat Could Talk (Sonny/Roy Wilkins, dir. George Faison), The Apollo Theater; Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Ken), Show Palace. Opera credits: Séance On A Wet Afternoon(Inspector Watt’s, Stephen & Scott Schwartz), New York City Opera; Porgy and Bess (Crown) Dayton Opera, also in Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Japan, Australia, Russia, Poland, and New Zealand; The Rape of Lucretia (Tarquinius), Così fan Tutte (Don Alfonso), The Hartt School Opera. Gospel: Jesus Christ Super Star Gospel (Lewis St. Lewis), Alliance Theater; Golden Gospel Singers, Europe, Harlem Gospel Singers Europe, Director/Baritone NY Harlem Singers (Linda Twine) annual Asian Tour, Concert: You Believed In Me Phillip Boykin LIVE Recording. For more information www.phillipboykin.com.