Murder, gambling and poverty. All the comforts of Catfish Row, now available in DeKalb for a limited time.

George Gershwin’s classic folk opera “Porgy and Bess” will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Monday at The Egyptian Theatre, 135 N. Second St.

NIU students will get a price break from CAB — admission is only $5 for NIU students, while it’s $17 for NIU staff and children under 18 years of age and $20 for the general public.

The opera began as the novel “Porgy” by DuBose Heyward and was transferred to the stage through a collaboration with George Gershwin in 1934.

The original novel was based on an actual resident of Charleston, S.C. The man’s name was “Goat Sammy,” a maimed man who traveled in a goat-drawn cart and committed murder while in the height of passion.

“It addresses issues of rural southern lifestyle in an African-American community,” CAB finance coordinator Quinn Norman said.

The play begins in Catfish Row, a once-aristocratic mansion that has fallen into disrepair.

The opening scene deals with Crown, Bess’ husband, murdering someone over a lost game of craps. Porgy offers to hide Bess from the police while Crown goes into hiding.

Bess eventually begins to fall for the kind Porgy, creating conflict with Crown.

“It’s a love story with a girl caught between two men. One’s good and one’s evil,” Norman said.

“Porgy and Bess” is a dramatic production with moments of great sadness and witty humor, each accentuated with song and music. The final act’s “Oh Bess, Where’s My Bess?” is a touching and heartbreaking song that may very well bring tears to the eyes.

The song “Summertime” even has been covered by the popular southern California trio Sublime.

“‘Porgy and Bess’ isn’t performed that often,” Norman said. “You really have to look for it because it’s been ignored in view of more modern musicals. We’re lucky to have it here.”

Monday’s production is a rare opportunity to see the classic folk opera for a very reasonable price.

“It’s just a really good story. It’s entertaining,” Norman said.