Danville native Todd Duncan was the original Porgy

RELEASED: Oct. 2, 2003

DANVILLE, KY—Porgy and Bess, the moving story by George and Ira Gershwin, comes to Centre's Norton Center for the Arts Oct. 9 at 8 p.m. in Newlin Hall.

The production revolves around Porgy, who is handicapped, and the people of Charleston's Catfish Row. It's a tale of pride, pathos, prejudice and passion. Porgy and Bess has an incredible score that includes songs such as "Summertime" and "I Got Plenty O' Nuttin'."

The performance takes a special meaning as it marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Todd Duncan, the orginal Porgy, who was born in Danville, Ky., in 1903.

Duncan, who died in 1998, was a highly accomplished singer, actor and teacher. Duncan's show at Centre on Oct. 15, 1951 was the first integrated production held on campus. Danville resident Helen Frye, who helped organize the event, said it was a triumphant night.

"The [Centre College] board of trustees was so impressed with the quality of the concert and its reception that the committee met and decided to sell tickets to African-Americans for all Centre shows," she said.

For more on Duncan, go to http://www.aaregistry.com/african_american_history/2183/Robert_Todd_Duncan_an_original.

For tickets or season subscriptions, visit or call the Norton Center box office (859) 236-4692 or 1-877-HIT-SHOW (448-7469).

The College's Norton Center for the Arts is an internationally acclaimed performing arts center that annually brings to Centre a series of acclaimed musical groups, Broadway shows, individual performances and other works from the performing arts. A complete series schedule and subscription information are available upon request. You can also learn more by visiting http://www.centre.edu/nc/currentseason.html.

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