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Porgy and Bess international tour program collection

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 0221

Content Description

This collection contains theatre programs, articles, reviews, and other ephemera related to the international tour of Blevins Davis and Robert Breen’s revival of “Porgy and Bess.” Also included is a 1977 program of a production of “Porgy and Bess” at the Dock Street Theatre in Charleston, South Carolina.

Dates

  • Creation: 1952-1977

Creator

Language of Material

Materials in English, French, Arabic, German, Hebrew, Italian, Spanish, Polish, Czech, Portuguese, Greek, and Norwegian.

Access Restrictions

This collection has been minimally processed, but is open for research.

Copyright Notice

The nature of the College of Charleston's archival holdings means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. Special Collections claims only physical ownership of most archival materials.

The materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. copyright law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source.

Historical Note

“Porgy and Bess” is an opera in English by George Gershwin, Dubose Heyward, and Ira Gershwin, adapted from the play “Porgy” by Dorothy Heyward and DuBose Heyward, which was an adaptation of DuBose Heyward’s novel “Porgy.” The opera premiered in 1935. In 1952, Blevins Davis and Robert Breen produced a revival that premiered in 1952 in London, England. The United States Department of State financed a European tour for the production, which starred Americans Leontyne Price, Cab Calloway, and William Warfield, as well as a young Maya Angelou. The production went on to tour in the Middle East and Latin America. Several reporters traveled with the company, including Truman Capote, who recounted the Moscow 1955 production in his book “The Muses Are Heard.”

Extent

0.25 linear feet (1 slim document box)

Collection Arrangement

Materials are described at the box level.

Acquisitions Information

Materials were donated in 2015 by Beth Lincks of the College of Charleston Theatre Department.

Processing Information

Minimally processed by Lauren McCarter, 2022

Title
Inventory of the Porgy And Bess International Tour Program Collection, 1952-1977
Status
Minimal Record
Author
Processed by: Lauren McCarter; finding aid created by: Lauren McCarter
Date
2022
Description rules
Dacs
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections Repository

Contact:
Special Collections
College of Charleston Libraries
66 George Street
Charleston South Carolina 29424
(843) 953-8016
(843) 953-6319 (Fax)