15+ Stage Performances to Watch February 8-9
Monday, February 8
The Metropolitan Opera: Das Rheingold
On Monday at 7:30 p.m. ET, the Metropolitan Opera presents Robert Lepage‘s landmark staging of Das Rheingold, the first installment in Wagner’s iconic “Ring” cycle. Bryn Terfel, Stephanie Blythe and Eric Owens star in this 2010 production. Watch for free for 23 hours after the start time on the Metropolitan Opera’s website. You can still stream yesterday’s opera, Tosca, until 6:30 p.m. ET today.
Bindlestiff Family Cirkus: Open Stage Variety Show: Quarantine Edition
On Monday at 8 p.m. ET, the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus continues its live weekly variety show hosted by adorkable ringmaster Keith Nelson. Tonight’s awe-inspiring lineup includes acrobat Simon Peter, magician Felice Ling, clown Jon Deline and juggling unicycle duo Anna and Daniella Jack. Watch for free on Bindlestiff’s YouTube channel though donations are encouraged.
Tuesday, February 9
La MaMA: Enchanted Origins
On Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET, La MaMa presents Enchanted Origins, a live sci-fi puppet fairy tale for all ages written and directed by Charlotte Lily Gaspard. Go on an out-of-this-world adventure with cats Puccini and Princess as they wander worlds in search of each other. Watch for free on La MaMa’s website though donations are encouraged.
The Metropolitan Opera: Ernani
On Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. ET, the Metropolitan Opera shares a gem from its vaults: Pier Luigi Samaritani’s 1983 mounting of Verdi’s Ernani, starring Luciano Pavarotti in the title role of the wronged nobleman turned bandit, and Leona Mitchell as his lady love. Watch for FREE for 23 hours after the start time on the Metropolitan Opera’s website. You can still stream yesterday’s opera, Das Rheingold, until 6:30 p.m. ET today.
Stars in the House: Lillias White
On Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET, Tony-winning diva and Black Theatre United cofounder Lillias White guest hosts Stars in the House with some as-yet-to-be-announced pals. Watch for free on YouTube though donations to The Actors Fund are encouraged.
Available to Watch Both Days
Play-PerView: While I Yet Live
On Saturday, Play-PerView presented a live reading of While I Yet Live and you can watch a recording until Wednesday. Written by Kinky Boots Tony winner Billy Porter, this semiautobiographical family drama marked his playwrighting debut and examines growing up gay in a devout Pentecostal household. This event reunites the powerhouse cast of Primary Stages’ 2014 production, including Tony winner Lillias White, S. Epatha Merkerson and Larry Powell as Porter’s onstage alter ego. Sheryl Kaller once again directs. Tickets are $20 and proceeds go to The Actors Fund.
Metropolitan Opera Stars Live in Concert: Anna Netrebko
On Saturday, the Metropolitan Opera presented superstar soprano Anna Netrebko in a live concert and you can watch a recording until Friday, February 19. Filmed at Vienna’s gorgeous Spanish Riding School, the performance includes enchanting Russian songs by Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff and Rimsky-Korsakov, along with selections by Strauss, Debussy and Fauré, plus a pair of duets with special guest Elena Maximova. Tickets are $20.
French Institute Alliance Française: Melissa Errico & Adam Gopnik: Love, Desire & Mystery
Tony-nominated chanteuse Melissa Errico and New Yorker essayist Adam Gopnik continue their three-part concert and conversation series exploring what the French call l’amour fou, all-consuming love. In part II, Desire, they delve into sensual pairings such as sex and food, seduction and fashion. Filmed on stage at the French Institute Alliance Française’s Florence Gould Theatre, the performance includes songs from Gopnik’s musical Our Table, Stephen Schwartz’s The Baker’s Wife, Funny Face, Coco and the hits of Edith Piaf. Tickets are $15 but you can buy the three-concert package for $30.
Syracuse Stage: Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992
Syracuse Stage presents Anna Deavere Smith‘s Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992, about the uprising sparked by the acquittal of white police officers who beat a Black man named Rodney King almost to death. After interviewing more than 350 people both directly and tangentially connected to the unrest, Smith created a collage of disparate voices and perspectives, channeling citizens who were there alongside LAPD chief Daryl Gates, Congresswoman Maxine Waters and activist and scholar Cornel West. Patrese D. McClain stars in this new digital production, which was filmed on stage at the venue without an audience. Steve H. Broadnax III directs. Tickets start at $30 and the recording is viewable until Sunday.
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Top image: Lilli Cooper, who stars in the new musical Haley at Therapy on Monday evening.
RAVEN SNOOK