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PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: "Oh Lord, I'm On My Way..." On the Road with Porgy and Bess' Sarita Rachelle Lilly

Photo taken between shows on my birthday – Dwelvan David’s bunny ears — PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: "Oh Lord, I'm On My Way..." On the Road with Porgy and Bess' Sarita Rachelle Lilly

Sarita Rachelle Lilly, who is featured as The Strawberry Woman in the current national tour of The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess, shares photos from the road. She documents a recent stop in Washington DC, including a tour of the Library of Congress' Porgy and Bess exhibit, followed by a trip down to the warmer climate of Florida.
40 PHOTOS

Christmas dinner made by Chauncey Packer to help give comfort to those of us away from our families for the holiday. — Christmas dinner made by Chauncey Packer to help give comfort to those of us away from our families for the holiday.

Sarita Rachelle Lilly

Theatre orientation and finding my way around backstage — Theatre orientation and finding my way around backstage

Sarita Rachelle Lilly

Our sound check and first time onstage at The National Theatre. It was so surreal to be on that stage knowing the history we were standing in and on. — Our sound check and first time onstage at The National Theatre. It was so surreal to be on that stage knowing the history we were standing in and on.

Sarita Rachelle Lilly

Raymond A. White of the Music Division at the Library of Congress gave us a private tour of the exhibits from the Gershwin room in the Library of Congress. We had the chance to look at all many of the original artifacts from the show. — Raymond A. White of the Music Division at the Library of Congress gave us a private tour of the exhibits from the Gershwin room in the Library of Congress. We had the chance to look at all many of the original artifacts from the show.

Sarita Rachelle Lilly

Original Orchestrations — Original Orchestrations

Sarita Rachelle Lilly

Next Slide

The playbill from the <i>Porgy and Bess</i> when it opened at the Colonial Theater in Boston — The playbill from the Porgy and Bess when it opened at the Colonial Theater in Boston

Sarita Rachelle Lilly

Music from the closing number — Music from the closing number

Sarita Rachelle Lilly

Some of the original lyrics to “Summertime” with notes from George Gershwin — Some of the original lyrics to “Summertime�� with notes from George Gershwin

Sarita Rachelle Lilly

After we looked at the Gershwin exhibit, we had the chance to tour the entire Library of Congress. — After we looked at the Gershwin exhibit, we had the chance to tour the entire Library of Congress.

Sarita Rachelle Lilly

Group shot on the stage within the Library of Congress — Group shot on the stage within the Library of Congress

Sarita Rachelle Lilly

Not a bad view — Not a bad view

Sarita Rachelle Lilly

A final look at the historic National Theatre — A final look at the historic National Theatre

Sarita Rachelle Lilly

Interior of Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in West Palm Beach, FL — Interior of Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in West Palm Beach, FL

Sarita Rachelle Lilly

Here’s the wonderful birthday love I received! It was totally unexpected and overwhelming. — Here’s the wonderful birthday love I received! It was totally unexpected and overwhelming.

Sarita Rachelle Lilly

Selfie taken before opening night at the Kravis Center — Selfie taken before opening night at the Kravis Center

Sarita Rachelle Lilly

Quick beach trip taken before on our final two show day at the Kravis Center — Quick beach trip taken before on our final two show day at the Kravis Center

Sarita Rachelle Lilly

Aaah soft white sand! My feet…LOL — Aaah soft white sand! My feet…LOL

Sarita Rachelle Lilly

Group photo of me, Cheryse McLeod Lewis and Nicole Adell Johnson soaking in the beautiful Sunday sun before a show — Group photo of me, Cheryse McLeod Lewis and Nicole Adell Johnson soaking in the beautiful Sunday sun before a show

Sarita Rachelle Lilly

Photo taken between shows on my birthday – Dwelvan David’s bunny ears — Photo taken between shows on my birthday �� Dwelvan David’s bunny ears

Sarita Rachelle Lilly

Photo taken between shows on my birthday – Roosevelt Andre Credit, Dwelvan David, Quentin Oliver Lee, Tamar Greene, Cheryse McLeod Lewis, Lindsay Roberts, and Denisha Ballew are visible, but the entire cast was present to sing Happy Birthday. — Photo taken between shows on my birthday �� Roosevelt Andre Credit, Dwelvan David, Quentin Oliver Lee, Tamar Greene, Cheryse McLeod Lewis, Lindsay Roberts, and Denisha Ballew are visible, but the entire cast was present to sing Happy Birthday.

Sarita Rachelle Lilly

Our walk to work at the Straz Center in Tampa, FL. — Our walk to work at the Straz Center in Tampa, FL.

Sarita Rachelle Lilly

We had a huge swing moment in Tampa. Cicily Daniels swang on as Mariah mid-scene during one of the performances. I made her pose in her Mariah picnic outfit during intermission. — We had a huge swing moment in Tampa. Cicily Daniels swang on as Mariah mid-scene during one of the performances. I made her pose in her Mariah picnic outfit during intermission.

Sarita Rachelle Lilly

Tampa Black Heritage Festival at the Children’s’ Glazer Museum campus — Tampa Black Heritage Festival at the Children’s�� Glazer Museum campus

Sarita Rachelle Lilly

Chauncey Packer and me at the Tampa Black Heritage Festival appearance (photo by Roosevelt André Credit). — Chauncey Packer and me at the Tampa Black Heritage Festival appearance (photo by Roosevelt André Credit).

Sarita Rachelle Lilly

<i>The Gershwins’ Porgy & Bess</i> cast attended the Tampa Black Heritage Festival (2nd row: Quentin Oliver Lee, Nathaniel Stampley, Erik Birkeland, Chauncey Packer, Dwelvan David, 1st row: Fred Rose, Adrianna Cleveland and Sarita Rachelle Lilly) — The Gershwins�� Porgy & Bess cast attended the Tampa Black Heritage Festival (2nd row: Quentin Oliver Lee, Nathaniel Stampley, Erik Birkeland, Chauncey Packer, Dwelvan David, 1st row: Fred Rose, Adrianna Cleveland and Sarita Rachelle Lilly)

Sarita Rachelle Lilly

Chauncey Packer also got to swing on for Sporting Life during our Saturday 2-show day in Tampa. — Chauncey Packer also got to swing on for Sporting Life during our Saturday 2-show day in Tampa.

Sarita Rachelle Lilly

Theatre Orientation at Artis-Naples in Naples, FL. — Theatre Orientation at Artis-Naples in Naples, FL.

Sarita Rachelle Lilly

Theatre Orientation at Artis-Naples in Naples, FL. — Theatre Orientation at Artis-Naples in Naples, FL.

Sarita Rachelle Lilly

Sumayya Ali and I get ready for our first performance — Sumayya Ali and I get ready for our first performance

Sarita Rachelle Lilly

Some of the company members took a private tour of the holocaust Museum of Southwest Florida — Some of the company members took a private tour of the holocaust Museum of Southwest Florida

Sarita Rachelle Lilly

Company Barbecue! — Company Barbecue!

Sarita Rachelle Lilly

Company Barbecue! — Company Barbecue!

Sarita Rachelle Lilly

Company Barbecue! — Company Barbecue!

Sarita Rachelle Lilly

Company Barbecue! — Company Barbecue!

Sarita Rachelle Lilly

Group shot before leaving sunny Florida — Group shot before leaving sunny Florida

Sarita Rachelle Lilly

The final connection to Greenville, SC. Catfish Row is based on Cabbage Row in Charleston, SC, so we were all excited to bring this production to South Carolina. — The final connection to Greenville, SC. Catfish Row is based on Cabbage Row in Charleston, SC, so we were all excited to bring this production to South Carolina.

Sarita Rachelle Lilly

Our first snow fall on tour actually happened in the South. This is the view from my hotel window. — Our first snow fall on tour actually happened in the South. This is the view from my hotel window.

Sarita Rachelle Lilly

Sound check at the Peace Center — Sound check at the Peace Center

Sarita Rachelle Lilly

Our opening night party was cancelled due to snow and ice, but our hotel Crowne Plaza kept their bar open late so we could have an impromptu opening night celebration. Here’s Alicia Hall Moran and Soara-Joye Ross. — Our opening night party was cancelled due to snow and ice, but our hotel Crowne Plaza kept their bar open late so we could have an impromptu opening night celebration. Here’s Alicia Hall Moran and Soara-Joye Ross.

Sarita Rachelle Lilly

Thanks for following! Come check out <i>The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess</i> in a city near you. — Thanks for following! Come check out The Gershwins�� Porgy and Bess in a city near you.

Sarita Rachelle Lilly

Photo taken between shows on my birthday – Dwelvan David’s bunny ears

Christmas dinner made by Chauncey Packer to help give comfort to those of us away from our families for the holiday.

Theatre orientation and finding my way around backstage

Our sound check and first time onstage at The National Theatre. It was so surreal to be on that stage knowing the history we were standing in and on.

Raymond A. White of the Music Division at the Library of Congress gave us a private tour of the exhibits from the Gershwin room in the Library of Congress. We had the chance to look at all many of the original artifacts from the show.

Original Orchestrations

The playbill from the <i>Porgy and Bess</i> when it opened at the Colonial Theater in Boston

Music from the closing number

Some of the original lyrics to “Summertime” with notes from George Gershwin

After we looked at the Gershwin exhibit, we had the chance to tour the entire Library of Congress.

Group shot on the stage within the Library of Congress

A final look at the historic National Theatre

Interior of Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in West Palm Beach, FL

Here’s the wonderful birthday love I received! It was totally unexpected and overwhelming.

Selfie taken before opening night at the Kravis Center

Quick beach trip taken before on our final two show day at the Kravis Center

Aaah soft white sand! My feet…LOL

Group photo of me, Cheryse McLeod Lewis and Nicole Adell Johnson soaking in the beautiful Sunday sun before a show

Photo taken between shows on my birthday – Dwelvan David’s bunny ears

Photo taken between shows on my birthday – Roosevelt Andre Credit, Dwelvan David, Quentin Oliver Lee, Tamar Greene, Cheryse McLeod Lewis, Lindsay Roberts, and Denisha Ballew are visible, but the entire cast was present to sing Happy Birthday.

Our walk to work at the Straz Center in Tampa, FL.

We had a huge swing moment in Tampa. Cicily Daniels swang on as Mariah mid-scene during one of the performances. I made her pose in her Mariah picnic outfit during intermission.

Tampa Black Heritage Festival at the Children’s’ Glazer Museum campus

Chauncey Packer and me at the Tampa Black Heritage Festival appearance (photo by Roosevelt André Credit).

<i>The Gershwins’ Porgy & Bess</i> cast attended the Tampa Black Heritage Festival (2nd row: Quentin Oliver Lee, Nathaniel Stampley, Erik Birkeland, Chauncey Packer, Dwelvan David, 1st row: Fred Rose, Adrianna Cleveland and Sarita Rachelle Lilly)

Chauncey Packer also got to swing on for Sporting Life during our Saturday 2-show day in Tampa.

Theatre Orientation at Artis-Naples in Naples, FL.

Theatre Orientation at Artis-Naples in Naples, FL.

Sumayya Ali and I get ready for our first performance

Some of the company members took a private tour of the holocaust Museum of Southwest Florida

Company Barbecue!

Company Barbecue!

Company Barbecue!

Company Barbecue!

Group shot before leaving sunny Florida

The final connection to Greenville, SC. Catfish Row is based on Cabbage Row in Charleston, SC, so we were all excited to bring this production to South Carolina.

Our first snow fall on tour actually happened in the South. This is the view from my hotel window.

Sound check at the Peace Center

Our opening night party was cancelled due to snow and ice, but our hotel Crowne Plaza kept their bar open late so we could have an impromptu opening night celebration. Here’s Alicia Hall Moran and Soara-Joye Ross.

Thanks for following! Come check out <i>The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess</i> in a city near you.

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