Porgy and Bess: Catfish Row arrives in Kansas City

Michelle Bradley (Bess) and Eric Greene (Porgy)

Eric Greene (Porgy) and Michelle Bradley (Bess)

Jermaine Smith (Sportin’ Life)

Catfish Row

By Hilary Stroh, 01 March 2026

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“we recognise him in the canon of heroes who leave home and risk all”

Reviewed at Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, Kansas City on 28 February 2026

Gershwin, Porgy and Bess

Lyric Opera of Kansas City

Michael Ellis Ingram, Conductor

Francesca Zambello, Director

Peter J. Davison, Set Designer

Paul Tazewell, Costume Designer

Mark McCullough, Lighting Designer

Kansas City Symphony

Eric Greene, Porgy

Michelle Bradley, Bess

Donovan Singletary, Crown

Jermaine Smith, Sportin’ Life

Brandie Sutton, Clara

Norman Garrett, Jake

Katerina Burton, Serena

La'Shelle Allen, Maria

David Morgans, Mingo

Bernard Holcomb, Robbins, Crab man

Marcel Daly, Peter

LaTeesha Jackson, Lily

Amari Lewis, Annie

MiKayla Lynn Hatfield, Strawberry woman

David Pelino, Nelson

Alex Smith, Detective

Eric Sean Fogel, Choreography

Deep into the American psyche: Carlisle Floyd’s Of Mice and Men

Hilary Stroh, 1st May

Carlisle Floyd's operatic setting of John Steinbeck’s classic novella is given a new production in the composer's centenary year at the Lyric Opera of Kansas City.

****1

Rockabilly meets Rossini: Cinderella at Lyric Opera of Kansas City

Hilary Stroh, 3rd October

Michael Shell's sparkling new production of La Cenerentola, built locally, opens the season at the Lyric Opera Kansas City.

****1

A big and bold Turandot in Kansas City

Hilary Stroh, 2nd May

Lyric Opera of Kansas City ends its season with Garnett Bruce's blockbuster production of Puccini's Turandot.

****1

It’s complicated: Georgia O’Keeffe and Alfred Stieglitz in letters

Hilary Stroh, 27th September

Based on letters between Georgia O’Keeffe and her husband, Alfred Stieglitz, Kevin Puts’ The Brightness of Light at the Lyric Opera of Kansas City portrays marriage as a collaborative work in progress.

****1

Heavy symbolism in Kansas City's Roméo et Juliette

Hilary Stroh, 9th March

A visually captivating and lyrically authentic production by Doug Scholz-Carlson for the Lyric Opera of Kansas City.

****1

Pity and terror in Kansas City’s Cav & Pag

Hilary Stroh, 29th September

Shawna Lucey directs verismo's inseparable twins in the Lyric Opera of Kansas City's outstanding season opener.

*****

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Hilary Stroh

Hilary is an independent scholar and academic historian, based in DC. She has a background in violin, piano and ballet. Educated at Dublin and Cambridge, she has recently published her first two books.