Porgy & Bess In High-Definition:: Presenting Michael Redding

I had the opportunity to attend the final dress rehearsal of Porgy & Bess, and was blown away! This was actually my first Atlanta Opera experience, and I was a little weary of sitting through 3 hours of constant singing. Surprisingly, I was totally engaged and on the edge of my seat the entire time. This performance was truly a night to remember! Afterwards, I headed back stage to catch up with the cast. 


Ladies and Gentlemen I present to you..... Michael Redding (Porgy):


Sareena Beasley (SB): When did you fall in love with theatre?
MR: I think I fell in love with the theatre in high school, during my musical theatre days- though my mother and father would beg to differ, and say that I've always been in love with the stage. Any chance I got I was performing, and usually when there wasn't even a 'stage' around!


SB: How do you maintain your voice and deliver such passion from night to night?
MR: The voice is a tricky thing, but it is directly connected to the mind. So as long as I have this brain under control, and not freaking out from nerves, usually the voice follows right along. What that means for me in particular is maintaining a healthy set of chords and not getting to wrapped up in 'allergies' and 'illnesses' and other things that seem to affect us delicate singers. As far as the passion goes, I tend to throw myself into a performance, so I do have to balance my emotional output with my stamina and capabilities! I stay open, basically. I keep my body open, my throat open, and my mind as free as possible.


SB: Who has inspired you or been most influential in your career?
MR:  A lot of things and people have inspired and influenced me over the years. The more I allow things to simply be as they are and keep these eyes and my soul open, the more I learn from everything. Erykah Badu, Merryl Streep, and countless others, have and continue to truly inspire me. Anything or anyone that is simply being all of who they are without reservation, is an inspiration to me! 


SB: Best moment in 2011?
MR:  It is safe to say that I am currently in the best moment of 2011!


SB: Did you ever imagine you would be where you are today?
MR:  I think we all have BIG dreams as little ones growing up, and then somehow they seem to just diminish over time! But then, if you're fortunate enough to catch that boat when your second opportunity flows by, life changes! That's what happened to me. I stopped dreaming because I became satisfied, and then God said, "oh no little one... we've got things to do down there!" And thus, here we go. 


SB: How do you want to be remembered?
MR:  Remembered- am I dead??? (laughing). Let me say this: when people leave my performances or simply leave my presence, I'm not concerned if they like or dislike me, or if they thought I did a great job... I'm only concerned that they felt where I was coming from! "That soul who reached other souls!" That's how I'd like to be remembered. 


SB: Are there any similarities between you and Porgy- the character you portray?
MR: There are many, many similarities between Porgy and myself, though I didn't realize it until I dove into the character over a year ago. Porgy's a quiet man, of which I am not, but his quietness stems from meditation, of which I do daily! He's rooted in a faith that he doesn't always understand, but that shakes him no less, and I can sympathize with him greatly in that respect. The main thing I identify with Porgy, is that he isn't afraid to take a risk! He grabs the first opportunity he has to get Bess, and without regard to knowing the outcome, he throws himself into the passions of a summer love affair! (yeah... I definitely know that side of Porgy). 


SB:  Final thoughts or advice for upcoming artists....

MR: My lovely fellow artists... please, please always be you! And express whoever that is to the fullest of your potential! We are slowly pulling ourselves out of a culture that prides itself on non-individuality and plain-Janes! We have been encouraged to be normal and fit in, when that's clearly not everyone, if anyone's calling! I admit it is difficult at times to walk that 'self' line, but He made us all different, so why should we all walk the same?

About Porgy & Bess

Set in Charleston, Porgy and Bess depicts the struggling occupants of Catfish Row as they live a life of hard work and tough times, yearning for a better life and great love.  You'll be drawn in by Porgy, Bess, Crown, Sportin’ Life and Serena, the amazing characters in this quintessential American opera. Composed by the forever-young George Gershwin, Porgy and Bess features opera’s most famous lullaby, Summertime. 

This new Atlanta Opera production will use high-definition projection technology combined with three-dimensional scenery to create a vibrant and exciting performance 

experience. Porgy and Bess also features the company debut of Boston Pops conductor Keith 

Lockhart conducting The Atlanta Opera Orchestra and Chorus and a dazzling cast of young opera stars.

Performances are March 4 and 6, 2011 at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre.

Visit www.atlantaopera.org for additional information.

This article should not be copied or transcribed in any way without the written consent of the writer (Sareena Beasley of T-3Concepts)