Porgy and Bess Washington, Ford Lee "Buck" performer Bubbles, John performer Theatrical Performance 1935-10-10 Broadway An American folk opera in three acts, 9 scenes. Libretto by DuBose Heyward, adapted from the play "Porgy" by Dorothy and DuBose Heywood and the novel "Porgy" by DuBose Heywood. Music by George Gershwin. Directed by Rouben Mamalian. Opened 10 October 1935 at the Alvin Theatre and closed 25 January after 124 performances. Cast included Ford L. Buck Washington as Mingo; Abbie Mitchell as Clara, John W. Bubbles as Sportin' Life. Bubbles singing "There's a Boat That's Leavin' Soon From New York" "Summertime" and "It Ain't Necessarily So." Wrote George Gershwin about John Bubbles in the character of Sportin' Life: "Instead of being a sinister dope-peddler, the character of Sportin' Life as played by John Bubbles "is a humorous, dancing villain, who is likable and believable and at the same time evil. We were fortunate in finding for that role a young man with those abilities that suit it perfectly." John W. Bubbles named among the ten best Plays of 1936 by Roi Ottley of New York Amsterdam News (1/2/1937). Performing Arts Encyclopedia http://www.loc.gov/performingarts Norton Anthology of Drama: Norton Anthology of Drama: Nineteenth Century to the Present (Vol. 2). W.W. Norton & Company (2009). Billman, Larry: Film Choreographers and Dance Directors: An Illustrated Biographical Encyclopedia, 1893-1955. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland (1997). Tap Dance America http://lcweb2.loc.gov/diglib/ihas/html/tda/tda-home.html tda IHAS 151216 loc.music.tda.441