The Gershwin's "folk opera" Porgy And Bess with book by DeBose Hayward was and is joyless and dark. Joyless because all are presented as victims. Dark because all are African-American and one can't look at dark faces from any distance beyond familiar and see facial construction much less emotive acting.
Someone should cast an all white cast in any setting with some hope in the book.Songs like 'Summertime", "I Got Plenty Of Nuttin" and "It ain't Necessarily So" could be used and adapted to more entertaining presentation. A status of "victim" largely is political or legal . One can't live a happy life thinking or acting as one is a victim.
