17 Stage Performances to Watch Today, May 18
Shakespeare’s Globe: The Winter’s Tale
At 2 p.m. ET, London’s Shakespeare’s Globe shares a recording of its 2018 mounting of The Winter’s Tale, Shakespeare’s genre-shifting comedy-tragedy-romance about an insanely jealous king, a pair of determined young lovers, an oracle, a magical statue and a bear. Watch for free anytime through Sunday, May 31 on the theatre’s YouTube channel.
Celebrating Harlem Stage
At 7 p.m. ET, Harlem Stage, which has highlighted artists of color for the past 41 years, is throwing an online fundraiser hosted by Tony winner LaChanze and her daughter, Jagged Little Pill star Celia Rose Gooding, as well as neighoborhood resident Tamara Tunie, best known as the longtime medical examiner on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. Guests and performers include diva Nona Hendryx, jazz pianist Jason Moran, groundbreaking choreographer Bill T. Jones, and acting spouses Claire Danes and Hugh Dancy. Watch for free on Harlem Stage’s Facebook page though donations are encouraged.
The Metropolitan Opera: Idomeneo
At 7:30 p.m. ET, the Metropolitan Opera shares Mozart’s Idomeneo, starring Nadine Sierra, Elza van den Heever, Alice Coote and Matthew Polenzani, conducted by James Levine. The production was filmed for the company’s Live in HD series in 2017, 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, Nabucco, 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 jaw-dropping acts, including juggler Erin Stephens, hula hooper Fernanda Sumano, magician Torkova, aerialist Alisa Mae and yo-yo spinner Justin Weber. 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 decades. Tonight’s lineup includes Jagged Little Pill‘s Elizabeth Stanley, Tony nominee Melissa Errico, stage and screen icon John Davidson and Mary Wilson of The Supremes. Watch for free on YouTube though tips via the Venmo app are appreciated.
Available to Watch All Day
National Theatre: Barber Shop Chronicles
London’s National Theatre shares Barber Shop Chronicles, Inua Ellams’ hit play about the thriving social scenes at six different barbershops, one in London, the others in Africa. A critically acclaimed production, the show presents a loving and insightful portrait of the African men who work and visit these hair-styling havens. Watch for free anytime through Thursday at 2 p.m. ET on the National Theatre’s YouTube channel.
Stratford Festival: The Tempest
Ontario’s venerable Stratford Festival continues its Shakespeare On Film series with The Tempest starring six-decade stage vet Martha Henry as Prospero the vengeful sorcerer. Stratford’s artistic director Antoni Cimolino helmed this well-received 2018 production, which you can watch for free on the Stratford Festival’s YouTube channel.
Odd Day Rain at TADA! Youth Theater
TADA! Youth Theater, NYC’s 35-year-old, Drama Desk Award-winning youth company whose alums include Jordan Peele and Kerry Washington, is sharing recordings of its original hour-long musicals for families. Recorded last year, the sci-fi rock musical Odd Day Rain is a tuneful cautionary tale about the perils of relying on technology, and features kids forced to live in isolation, which feels eerily timely. The production stars talented tykes from ages 8 to 18 who are members of TADA!’s Resident Youth Ensemble. Watch for free on TADA!’s YouTube channel.
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Top image: Audra McDonald. Photo by Allison Michael Orenstein.
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