25+ Stage Performances to Watch April 28-29
Wednesday, April 28
The Metropolitan Opera: Hansel and Gretel
On Wednesday at 5 p.m. ET, ever since the shutdown began, the Metropolitan Opera has been sharing productions from its Live in HD series nightly at 7:30 p.m. ET. But it also presents weekly student streams that debut on Wednesdays. These productions have been specially selected for families and are complemented by online educational materials. This week’s offering is an eye-popping, English-language production of Engelbert Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel featuring oversize cartoon chefs, singing trees and an unforgettable witch’s kitchen. Alice Coote and Christine Schäfer star as the title siblings in this 2008 production. Watch for free until Friday at 5 p.m. ET on the Metropolitan Opera’s website.
Amas Musical Theatre: Found in Translation
On Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET, Amas Musical Theatre presents Found in Translation, Luis Santeiro‘s autobiographical solo musical about emigrating from Cuba as a child and how he rediscovered his Latin past while trying to become an all-American. Tickets are required to receive the free viewing link though donations are encouraged. The recording is viewable until Wednesday, May 5.
The Metropolitan Opera: Andrea Chénier
On Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. ET, the Metropolitan Opera presents Andrea Chénier, Giordano’s romantic tragedy set during the French Revolution about a poet who’s hopelessly in love with a pampered aristocrat. Luciano Pavarotti and Maria Guleghina star as the ill-fated lovers in this 1996 mounting. Watch for free for 23 hours after the start time on the Metropolitan Opera’s website. You can still stream yesterday’s opera, The Merry Widow, until 6:30 p.m. ET today.
Thursday, April 29
Waterwell: Red Rainbow
On Thursday at 7 p.m. ET, every year, civic-minded NYC theatre company Waterwell commissions a new full-length play by an emerging dramatist written specifically for senior drama students at the Professional Performing Arts School. This year, Waterwell tapped Azure D. Osborne-Lee to craft a fantastical piece about NYC teens who go on an unexpected adventure during the pandemic. Who knows? You may be seeing an early performance by the next Claire Danes or Jesse Eisenberg, both alums of the school. Tickets start at $5.
Theater in Quarantine: All The Different Ways That Commodore Matthew Perry Could Have Died Before Opening Japan But Didn’t
On Thursday at 7 and 9 p.m. ET, Theater in Quarantine and New Georges present the world premiere of All The Different Ways That Commodore Matthew Perry Could Have Died Before Opening Japan But Didn’t, Julia Izumi‘s alternate history play about what would have happened if the title U.S. naval officer hadn’t forced Japan into trade and diplomatic relations with the West in the mid-19th century. Theater in Quarantine cocreators Joshua William Gelb and Katie Rose McLaughlin codirect the production, which stars Gelb performing from his closet. Watch for free on Gelb’s YouTube channel.
The Metropolitan Opera: Manon
On Thursday at 7:30 p.m. ET, the Metropolitan Opera presents Massenet’s Manon, based on Antoine François Prévost’s controversial 18th-century novel about a tragic romance. Filmed for the company’s Live in HD series in 2019, the production stars Lisette Oropesa, Michael Fabiano, Carlo Bosi, Artur Rucinski, Brett Polegato and Kwangchul Youn. Watch for free for 23 hours after the start time on the Metropolitan Opera’s website. You can still stream yesterday’s opera, Andrea Chénier, until 6:30 p.m. ET today.
Available to Watch Both Days
Irish Repertory Theatre: Little Gem
On Wednesday at 3 and 8 p.m., and Thursday at 7 p.m. ET, Irish Rep presents Elaine Murphy‘s Little Gem about three North Dublin women from different generations, each facing a major life change. Brenda Meaney, Lauren O’Leary and four-time Oscar nominee Marsha Mason reprise their critically acclaimed performances from the theatre’s hit 2019 production, with each actor taping her part remotely. Marc Atkinson Borrull once again directs. Tickets are required to receive the free viewing link though a $25 donation is suggested. Closed captions are available.
New York Theatre Workshop: Brother, Brother
New York Theatre Workshop presents Brother, Brother, a new music-filled audio drama by award-winning playwright Aleshea Harris (Is God Is, What to Send Up When It Goes Down) about two songwriting siblings traveling Appalachia by bicycle on their way to make it big in Tennessee. But on their journey they’re confronted by ghosts from the past. Shayok Misha Chowdhury directs Tony winner André De Shields, To Kill a Mockingbird‘s Gbenga Akinnagbe, Amari Cheatom and Owen Tabaka in this haunting production. Tickets are $10 and you can listen until Sunday, July 25.
American Conservatory Theatre: The Matchmaker
San Francisco’s lauded American Conservatory Theater wraps up its A.C.T. Out Loud reading series spotlighting prescient plays with Thornton Wilder‘s 1954 comedy The Matchmaker, a reinvention of two earlier works that served as the basis for the beloved musical Hello, Dolly! Dawn Monique Williams directs a multicultural cast in this 19th farce about widow Dolly Levi looking to make her own perfect match. Tickets start at $5 and the recording is viewable until Sunday.
Out of the Box Theatrics: The Last Five Years
On Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m. ET, Jason Robert Brown‘s musical dissection of a romance, The Last Five Years, has proven to be a pandemic favorite, with multiple productions in the UK and stateside. It makes sense since the two-hander is about disconnection, as the man tells his side of their love story chronologically while the woman recalls their relationship in reverse. This digital reimagining of the show was coproduced by Out of the Box Theatrics and Holmdel Theatre Company and filmed inside a New York City apartment, giving it an air of verisimilitude. Nasia Thomas and Nicholas Edwards star as the ill-fated couple, and celebrated musical director Jason Michael Webb helmed the production. Tickets start at $29.
The Civilians: Black Feminist Video Game
On Wednesday and Thursday at 8 p.m. ET, The Civilians presents a live online performance of Black Feminist Video Game, Darrell Alejandro Holnes‘ inventive and interactive show about Jonas, a biracial teen on the autism spectrum attempting to win a classic 2D game along with the girl of his dreams. His journey unfolds on Twitch with the audience helping (or hindering) Jonas’ progress along the way. Christon Andell, Kyla Jeanne Butts and Starr Kirkland star and Victoria Collado directs. Log in ready to join the action! Tickets are $11.50.
Goodman Theater: Measure for Measure
Chicago’s lauded Goodman Theatre gives audiences a peek at its archives with a recording of its 2013 production of Measure for Measure, helmed by artistic director Robert Falls. See how he tackled one of the Bard’s notorious problem plays! Reservations are required to receive the free viewing link and the recording is viewable until Sunday, May 9. Closed captions are available.
The Public Theater: The Line
The Public Theater presents an encore stream of The Line, Jessica Blank and Erik Jensen‘s ripped-from-the-front-lines 2020 docudrama based on interviews with New York City healthcare workers about their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. The married playwrights are masters of the form: their previous plays include The Exonerated, about wrongly convicted inmates on Death Row, and Coal Country, about the 2010 Upper Big Branch mine explosion in West Virginia. The latter had its run cut short at The Public Theater due to the pandemic, and Blank and Jensen almost immediately turned their attention to our city’s first responders to craft this one-act for digital consumption. Under Blank’s direction, an impressive cast, including Tony winner Santino Fontana, Tony nominee Alison Pill, Jamey Sheridan and Lorraine Toussaint, give voice to these harrowing real-life stories. Watch for free on The Public’s YouTube channel.
The Shows Must Go On!: Border Tales
The Shows Must Go On! presents Border Tales, an emotional dance-theatre piece by Luca Silvestrini‘s troupe Protein. An exploration of multicultural Britain, this production features dynamic movement, live music and dialogue inspired by the international cast’s real-life experiences. Watch for free for the rest of the year on YouTube.
PBS Great Performances: Romeo & Juliet
PBS Great Performances presents a new mounting of Romeo & Juliet from London’s National Theatre. The production was initially planned as an in-person experience, but the pandemic forced the artists to film the show. In this contemporary reimagining of Shakespeare’s romantic tragedy, a group of actors quarantined in the theatre bring the play to life. Josh O’Connor and Jessie Buckley portray the star-crossed lovers. Watch for free on PBS Thirteen’s website.
Lincoln Center Theater: The Royale
Lincoln Center Theater shares a recording of The Royale, Marco Ramirez‘s powerful pugilist play inspired by the real-life experiences of Jack Johnson, the first African-American heavyweight world champion. Rachel Chavkin won a well-deserved Obie Award for her visionary direction of the show at Lincoln Center’s Mitzi Newhouse Theater in 2016, and Khris Davis earned kudos for his breathtaking performance as a boxer who’s always fighting—even outside the ring. Montego Glover, John Lavelle, McKinley Belcher III and Clarke Peters costar. . The recording is viewable until Sunday, May 16.
ABT Incubator: Thread of Memories
American Ballet Theatre continues its Incubator series showcasing brand-new digital dance works created by emerging choreographers during quarantine. This week’s premiere is Thread of Memories by ABT dancer Luigi Crispino. Set to music by Joe Hisaishi, the trio stars Crispino’s fellow ABTers Virginia Lensi, Rachel Richardson and Nathan Vendt. Watch for free on ABT’s YouTube channel.
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Top image: Sutton Foster, whose new concert to benefit New York City Center begins streaming on Thursday.
RAVEN SNOOK