Closing Date
Until January 24, 2026
Age limit
Suitable for 10+ yrs
Why Watch Porgy and Bess?
- This production brings together the fusion of opera, jazz and Broadway through the timeless score of Porgy and Bess, making this opera a rare theatrical-music blend.
- With script and music by George Gershwin and a libretto by DuBose Heyward and Dorothy Heyward, it includes songs like “Summertime” and “It Ain’t Necessarily So” that have become cultural landmarks.
- This staging at the Metropolitan Opera House features acclaimed director James Robinson, choreographer Camille A. Brown and a design team that brings renewed vitality to the piece.
- The story centres on the community of Catfish Row and explores themes of love, resilience and social struggle, offering rich emotional depth to the audience. Book your Porgy and Bess Broadway tickets.
Porgy and Bess premiered in 1935 and is widely considered a landmark in American musical theater and opera. The story, set in the early 20th-century South Carolina coastal community of Catfish Row, follows the disabled beggar Porgy and the woman Bess as they navigate hardship, love and external threats. This current New York production at the Metropolitan Opera House uses the full score, under the baton of conductor Kwamé Ryan, and features leading voices including Alfred Walker as Porgy and Brittany Renee as Bess. With costumes by Catherine Zuber, lighting by Donald Holder and projection by Luke Halls, the staging delivers immersive storytelling and high production values.
Storyline
Set in the early 1920s on Catfish Row, a Black seaside tenement in Charleston, South Carolina, the opera depicts Porgy, a disabled beggar who seeks a new life when Bess, a troubled woman with a turbulent past, enters his world. Their hopes for security and belonging are challenged by Crown, a violent ex-lover, and Sportin’ Life, a charismatic dealer offering easy escape. Tensions mount as storms, illness, and temptation test the community’s bonds and the couple’s loyalty.
Show timings
Show timings for Porgy and Bess may vary every week. You can check the show timings for your preferred date at the next stage of booking.
Age Suitability
This show is suitable for ages 10 years and above.
Age suitability recommendations are just suggestions. So, trust your judgment when booking tickets for any show, and enjoy!
Keep in mind, the theater is air-conditioned throughout the year and can get a bit chilly. Bring a light jacket just in case!
Metropolitan Opera House
The Metropolitan Opera House, located in the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts on Broadway, is home to the Metropolitan Opera and has been since it opened in 1966. The theatre, designed by Wallace Harrison, is one of the world's largest opera houses with a seating capacity of 3800. The Metropolitan Opera House is renowned for its technologically advanced stage facilities, its excellent acoustics, and the grandeur of its auditorium and front-of-house spaces. Seating Capacity: 3800 Metropolitan Opera House Seating Plan will help you find the best seats in the theatre.
Getting There
- Address: 30 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023, USA
- By metro:
Take the No. 1 train to 66th Street Lincoln Center station
- By train:
The Nearest station to the venue is 66th Street–Lincoln Center (1 train). The venue is just a 3‑minute walk from the station.
- By bus:
Buses M5, M7, M10, M11, M20, M66, M104 and BxM2 stop at the Metropolitan Opera House
- By car:
Patrons can drive or take a taxi to reach the Met.
Facilities & Accessibility
Amenities: Dining outlets, Cloak room, Toilets, Souvenir shop, Free parking, Wifi
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible, Service animals allowed, Elevator access
Additional Information
- Security: To ensure your comfort and security, you might encounter a few security checks when you arrive at the venue.
- Dress code: Smart casual or semi-formal attire is the way to go.
- Outside food: While outside food isn't usually allowed, many theaters have cafes or restaurants nearby for you to check out before or after the show.
Tickets Redemption
You will receive your tickets along with your email confirmation shortly. You need to print the same and display it at the ticket counter.
Theater Address
Metropolitan Opera House, 30 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023, USA
Getting There
By Subway
Get off at 66 St - Lincoln Center Subway Station using lines 1 or 2. The Metropolitan Opera House is just a 5-minute walk from here.
By Bus
Get off at Broadway/W 64 St using buses M5 or M7 or at Broadway/W 63 St using bus M104. The theatre is located across the street to the left. Alternatively, get off at Amsterdam Av/W 62 St using bus M11. The theatre is located on the right.
Validity
The ticket is valid only for the exact date and time you have opted for.
Cancellation & Refunds
- These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
Frequently asked questions
The opera does not have a strict age limit. However, it is most suitable for children aged 10 years and above.
The opera is playing at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York.
It tells the story of love and survival in a Black community in early 20th-century Charleston, centering on Porgy, a disabled beggar, and Bess, a woman struggling to escape her past.
The running time is 3 hours and 30 minutes with one intermission.
The main stars of the opera are Alfred Walker as Porgy, Brittany Renee as Bess, Ryan Speedo Green as Crown and Frederick Ballentine as Sportin’ Life.
Expect timeless classics like “Summertime,” “It Ain’t Necessarily So,” and “I Got Plenty o’ Nuttin’.”
Yes, Porgy and Bess is performed in English, with Met Titles (English, German and Spanish subtitles) displayed on seat-back screens.
The opera delves into love, faith, poverty, addiction, and community resilience, portraying the strength and spirit of marginalized people in 1920s America.
George Gershwin composed the music, Ira Gershwin wrote the lyrics, and DuBose and Dorothy Heyward adapted the libretto from DuBose’s 1925 novel Porgy.
Gershwin fuses classical composition, blues, jazz, spirituals, and Gullah rhythms, creating one of the most distinctive soundscapes in the operatic canon.
