12 Stage Performances to Watch Today, June 8
Spotlight on Philadelphia Theatre Company on Stars in the House
At 2 p.m. ET, Seth Rudetsky and James Wesley launch their new spotlight on regional theatres series on Stars in the House. First up is Philadelphia Theatre Company, which was founded in 1974 and focuses on new American plays and musicals. Producing artistic director Paige Price will be joined by some of the artists she’s worked with, included two-time Tony nominee Kathleen Turner. Watch for free on YouTube.
Wendy Wasserstein Project Celebration
At 4 p.m. ET, if you’re in need of a pick-me-up, marvel at the next generation of theatregoers and world changers at TDF’s annual Wendy Wasserstein Project Celebration. One of our signature education programs, it was started by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Wendy Wasserstein in 1998 when she partnered with TDF to see if theatre was relevant to young people. We took eight high school students to see six shows that season, and had pizza and talked after every performance. Today that experiment has blossomed into 24 mentorships, with top theatre professionals (James Lapine, Kathleen Marshall, Scott Ellis and Kathleen Chalfant, to name a handful) sharing their time and expertise with public school students throughout the five boroughs. Together they see and discuss hundreds of shows a year, and then all the groups gather for an end-of-season celebration. This year we’re bringing that party online, which means everyone can tune in and be inspired by these amazing youngsters. Watch for free on TDF’s YouTube channel.
Desperately Seeking the Exit
At 7 p.m. ET, Peter Michael Marino live-streams Desperately Seeking the Exit, his riotous solo comedy about the behind-the-scenes drama at his notorious 2007 London flop musical Desperately Seeking Susan. Tickets are $10 and partly benefit the Cincinnati Fringe Festival.
The Metropolitan Opera: La Clemenza di Tito
At 7:30 p.m. ET, the Metropolitan Opera shares Mozart’s La Clemenza di Tito, starring Lucy Crowe, Barbara Frittoli, Elina Garanca, Kate Lindsey and Giuseppe Filianoti, conducted by Harry Bicket. The production was filmed for the company’s Live in HD series in 2012, and is available to watch for free for 23 hours after the start time on the Metropolitan Opera’s website. You can still stream yesterday’s opera, Thaïs, until 6:30 p.m. today.
Bindlestiff Open Stage: Quarantine Edition
At 7:30 p.m. ET, run away with the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus at the troupe’s weekly live-streamed variety show, hosted by adorkable ringmaster Keith Nelson. Enjoy a cavalcade of amazing acts, including aerialist Serenity Smith Forchion, wirewalker Logan Kerr, contortionist Elena Sanders and “flexible” comedian Jonathan Burns. Watch for free on Bindlestiff’s Facebook page though donations are encouraged.
Jim Caruso’s Pajama Cast Party
At 8 p.m. ET, cabaret maven Jim Caruso welcomes renowned singers and up-and-comers at Pajama Cast Party, a live-streamed version of his popular weekly Cast Party gatherings that have taken place at Birdland for years. Tonight’s lineup includes Whose Line Is It Anyway? improv star Colin Mochrie and his performer wife Debra McGrath, On the Town Tony nominee Tony Yazbeck, Adam J. Levy from Waitress, and jazz crooners Nicole Zuraitis and Amanda King. Watch for free on YouTube though tips via the Venmo app are appreciated.
Available to Watch All Day
Shakespeare’s Globe: The Merry Wives of Windsor
London’s Shakespeare’s Globe shares a recording of its 2019 mounting of The Merry Wives of Windsor, Shakespeare’s comedy about the clownish Falstaff, who romances two women for their fortunes until they turn the tables on the two-timer. Olivier nominee Bryony Hannah and Sarah Finigan play the clever ladies and Pearce Quigley is Falstaff. Watch for free anytime through Sunday, June 14 on the theatre’s YouTube channel.
The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey
In honor of Pride Month, the 92nd Street Y shares a recording of The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey, writer-performer James Lecesne‘s one-man play about how the disappearance of a gay teenager impacts a small New Jersey town. Lecesne, who earned an Oscar for his short film Trevor, portrays all the characters in this award winner, which . Watch for free anytime all month on the 92Y’s website though donations are encouraged.
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Top image: Norm Lewis.
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