"Life’s No Good At All Without A Song"
Phillip Boykin, surprisingly nuanced as the villainous Crown. He is electrifying in his second act confrontation with Bess where the two face-off – she challenges him in song (“What You Want With Bess?”), only to give in when he lifts her in a carnal position that Porgy could never duplicate, underscoring the differences between the two men and Bess’s conflicted nature.
“Philip Boykin’s Crown, happily, does not succumb quite so easily. He is unapologetically operatic, and is allowed the full play of his heavy villain brutality. He exudes animal magnetism. His misogynistic rant against Bess’s alleged conversion to respectability, “A Red Headed Woman,” is terrifying and a great deal of fun, a jack-o-lantern who dares us to laugh at his contrived grimaces. He’s perfectly cast against Mr. Lewis, as a kind of ironic counter-foil to the sincerity of Porgy and the actor who portrays him.”
Phillip Boykin (Crown) is a massive, resonant and convincing brute.
“Crown, played charismatically by hulking bass, Philip Boykin, is in many ways a stock villain, yet toward the end of the play, he’s actually given a Calvinist moral argument to explain his behavior. For him, the facts that he’s on the top of the Catfish Row heap and that he’s survived his many risks in life, prove that he’s blessed. He calls God his “big friend” and believes that he’s secured a divine endorsement to take what he wants. In the world of the play, it’s pretty clear that Crown is wrong, but it’s also poignant that his Catfish Row compatriots, who openly root against him, also lament his downfall.”
“Still, David Alan Grier is perfection as the dealer/pimp – more cool cat than evil seducer. That job falls to Bess’ bully of a boyfriend (commanding Phillip Boykin, with a voice like thunder). Their transgressive embrace – once Bess has committed herself to the safe harbor offered by Porgy – is a murky blend of capitulation (i.e., rape) and mutual opportunism.”
“The sinister element lurking on the fringe is drug dealer Sporting Life (Grier), or worse, the imposing Crown (a compelling Phillip Boykin), a crime boss and a tinderbox that could go off at any moment.”
That’s the production’s trade-off. It’s a “Porgy and Bess” connected to the truth in the storytelling set in a Catfish Row community that is vivid and vital, with great actor-singers with musical experience rather than operatic chops (with a few exceptions, such as Philip Boykin’s riveting Crown)
“Philip Boykin’s Crown was GOOD. At least twice the size of Bess, with enormous chiseled upper arms (that I will remember long after I forget this production), Crown was literally a terrifying presence whenever he was on stage. He was perfectly cast and did a great job.”
The New York Times.Com
Published: April 20, 2011
The muscular bass-baritone Phillip Boykin was hardy and confident as Inspector Watts, who appears to share the medium’s spiritual beliefs.
New York City Opera – “Séance on a Wet Afternoon”
Reviewed by: Victor Wheeler
The rest of the cast also performed admirably, especially in the séance scenes, with Philip Boykin’s husky bass-baritone voice standing out.
Bу MIKE SILVERMAN, Fοr Thе Associated Press Mike Silverman, Fοr Thе Associated Press
Bass-baritone Phillip Boykin іѕ аlѕο ехсеllеnt аѕ the questionable military inspector.
OPERA TODAY
Alison Moritz
Phillip Boykin brought vocal and physical gravitas to his role as the Inspector.
Superconductor
by Paul Pelkonen
Bass-baritone Philip Boykin is a rising talent: the gruff cop who is smarter than his hat size indicates.
BY MARTHA WADE STEKETEE ⋅ APRIL 20, 2011
A clairvoyantly-sympathetic but increasingly suspicious police investigator Watts (Phillip Boykin) meets with everyone, and facilitates a final, pivotal meeting at the Foster household.
WQXR’s Opera Blog
Bass-baritone Philip Boykin had a commanding presence as Inspector Watts.
Operagasm
(Mike Silverman/ Associated Press)
Bass-baritone Phillip Boykin is also good as a suspicious police inspector.
Fortunately, Phillip Boykin’s Crown saves the day. His major scenes — with Bess at the picnic and during the hurricane — are the evening’s highlights. Singing and acting with a roaring, dangerous vigor, Boykin fills the vast reaches of the Bushnell.
Phillip Boykin
Phillip Boykin
"Porgy and Bess On Broadway" (CD)
Click To Purchase!