Final answer:
A critic in 1927 described the future production of "Porgy and Bess" as a "folk opera," which highlighted its blend of classical music with American folk elements and its socially relevant themes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The critic in 1927 described the future production of "Porgy and Bess" as a folk opera. This term reflects the unique nature of the work, which blended classical music principles with American folk elements and the African-American experience. The description underscored the production's innovative approach to opera, making it more accessible and relatable to a broader audience.
"Porgy and Bess" would become known for tackling social issues and presenting real, complex characters, akin to what had been previously introduced in productions like "Show Boat". As we've seen in the evolution of the musical theatre, this approach to storytelling and representation of diverse characters and serious themes set a new standard, eventually influencing the development of other significant works such as "West Side Story" that remolded Shakespearean tragedy into a contemporary setting with a deep examination of societal issues.