Original image by There Stands the Glass.
A dozen high school theater kids sat near me in Muriel Kauffman Theatre on Saturday, February 28, for the opening night of The Lyric Opera of Kansas City’s production of “Porgy and Bess.” I envied them.
I wasn’t really aware of George and Ira Gershwin and DuBose Heyward’s 1935 opera until my late twenties. An obsession with Billie Holiday’s heartbreaking reading of “I Loves You, Porgy” on this excellent live album compelled me to investigate the source.
During my pandemic-era opera initiative I watched a couple versions of “Porgy and Bess,” but until last week, I’d never attended a production of the magnificent work. I paid $68.50 for a nosebleed seat amid an audience of about 1,500.
My binoculars opera glasses allowed me to appreciate the convincing acting of the cast. Unfortunately, not all of their voices projected to the back of the room.
Having given up trying to hear, some people in the back chatted unapologetically. The theater kids leaned forward in futile attempts to catch every note and word. As for me, I’m still wondering if I'd ever be willing to spend $248.50 for a proper front-and-center seat at Muriel Kauffman Theatre.