Best Stage Performances to Watch Online August 27-September 6
Come September, in-person theatre will be back in full force. But during these dog days of summer as venues prepare to reopen, you can still stream lots of fabulous shows at home. Below are performances you can watch online from Friday, August 27 through Labor Day from the comfort of your couch for free or at low cost.
Friday, August 27
Christopher Lloyd in King Lear
On Friday at 10 a.m. ET, Obie and Emmy Award-winning actor Christopher Lloyd (Taxi, Back to the Future) is currently headlining King Lear at Shakespeare & Company in the Berkshires, but you can also stream the show at home. Directed by Nicole Ricciardi, the production was filmed live on stage earlier in the run. Tickets are $25 and the recording is viewable for 72 hours from the start time.
The Old Vic: Bagdad Cafe
Friday at 2:30 p.m. ET, the Old Vic presents visionary director Emma Rice‘s stage adaptation of Bagdad Cafe, Percy and Eleonore Adlon’s charming 1987 cult film about quirky characters connecting at a rundown roadside restaurant and motel on California’s Route 66. A celebration of female friendship and unexpected romance, the music-filled show is performed in-person on stage in London and also streamed to at-home audiences. Tickets cost £20 to £40, approximately $28 to $55. Audio description and closed captions are available.
Rattlestick Playwrights Theater: Ni Mi Madre
On Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET, NYC’s acclaimed Rattlestick Playwrights Theater is presenting a hybrid season, with its productions performed in person but also streamed to at-home audiences. First up is Arturo Luís Soria‘s autobiographically inspired solo show Ni Mi Madre, about the complex relationship between an over-the-top Brazilian woman and her queer son as they grapple with identity and what it means to be an immigrant family in America. Tickets are $40 for both streamed and in-person performances at Rattlestick Playwrights Theater.
Saturday, August 28
The Old Vic: Bagdad Cafe
Saturday at 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. ET, the Old Vic presents visionary director Emma Rice‘s stage adaptation of Bagdad Cafe, Percy and Eleonore Adlon’s charming 1987 cult film about quirky characters connecting at a rundown roadside restaurant and motel on California’s Route 66. A celebration of female friendship and unexpected romance, the music-filled show is performed in-person on stage in London and also streamed to at-home audiences. Tickets cost £20 to £40, approximately $28 to $55. Audio description and closed captions are available.
Christopher Lloyd in King Lear
On Saturday at 10 a.m. ET, it’s your last chance to watch Obie and Emmy Award-winning actor Christopher Lloyd (Taxi, Back to the Future) in Shakespeare & Company‘s mounting of King Lear. Directed by Nicole Ricciardi, the production was filmed live on stage earlier this summer. Tickets are $25 and the recording is viewable for 72 hours from the start time.
Simon Callow: Being an Actor – 50 Years On
On Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET, the Shedinburgh Fringe Festival presents celebrated actor-writer-director Simon Callow in Being an Actor – 50 Years On, a theatrical examination of his longtime trade. Well-known for his roles in Four Weddings and a Funeral, The Witcher and his one-man shows of Dickens and Shakespeare, Callow has been performing on stage and screen for almost a quarter century. In 1982, he authored Being An Actor; now, 40 years on he adds new insights as he tries to communicate the essence of his chosen profession in this intimate solo show. Tickets start at £7.50, approximately $10.50.
Rattlestick Playwrights Theater: Ni Mi Madre
On Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET, NYC’s acclaimed Rattlestick Playwrights Theater is presenting a hybrid season, with its productions performed in person but also streamed to at-home audiences. First up is Arturo Luís Soria‘s autobiographically inspired solo show Ni Mi Madre, about the complex relationship between an over-the-top Brazilian woman and her queer son as they grapple with identity and what it means to be an immigrant family in America. Tickets are $40 for both streamed and in-person performances at Rattlestick Playwrights Theater.
Sunday, August 29
Rattlestick Playwrights Theater: Ni Mi Madre
On Sunday at 4 p.m. ET, NYC’s acclaimed Rattlestick Playwrights Theater is presenting a hybrid season, with its productions performed in person but also streamed to at-home audiences. First up is Arturo Luís Soria‘s autobiographically inspired solo show Ni Mi Madre, about the complex relationship between an over-the-top Brazilian woman and her queer son as they grapple with identity and what it means to be an immigrant family in America. Tickets are $40 for both streamed and in-person performances at Rattlestick Playwrights Theater.
Fabulous Fanny: The Songs and Stories of Fanny Brice
On Sunday at 7 p.m. ET, if you only know Fanny Brice as Barbra Streisand’s character in Funny Girl, time to get schooled. Kimberly Faye Greenberg portrays the legendary Jewish singer, comedian and Ziegfeld Follies star in this solo show, which delves into her incredible career and dramatic life. Expect torch songs, old-school shtick and Baby Snooks! (No relation to yours truly.) Tickets are $11.
Monday, August 30
Rattlestick Playwrights Theater: Ni Mi Madre
On Monday at 7:30 p.m. ET, NYC’s acclaimed Rattlestick Playwrights Theater is presenting a hybrid season, with its productions performed in person but also streamed to at-home audiences. First up is Arturo Luís Soria‘s autobiographically inspired solo show Ni Mi Madre, about the complex relationship between an over-the-top Brazilian woman and her queer son as they grapple with identity and what it means to be an immigrant family in America. Tickets are $40 for both streamed and in-person performances at Rattlestick Playwrights Theater.
Tuesday, August 31
Chichester Festival Theatre: South Pacific
On Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. ET, the UK’s Chichester Festival Theatre presents Rodgers and Hammerstein’s beloved musical South Pacific. Filmed live on stage last month, this new production of the Tony-winning classic about romance and racism during World War II features British stage stars Gina Beck and Julian Ovenden as Navy nurse Nellie Forbush and Emile de Becque, the dashing Frenchman with a secret; Joanna Ampil as Bloody Mary; Keir Charles as Luther Billis and Rob Houchen as Lt. Joseph Cable. Tickets start at £20, approximately $28, and the recording is viewable for 24 hours from the start time. Closed captions and audio description are available.
Stars in the House: Fosse Reunion
On Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET, get your jazz hands ready—it’s a Fosse reunion on Stars in the House! Seth Rudetsky and James Wesley welcome cast members from the Tony-winning musical revue celebrating late dance pioneer Bob Fosse, including performers-turned-Tony-winning choreographers Andy Blankenbuehler and Sergio Trujillo. Watch for free on YouTube though donations to The Actors Fund are encouraged.
Wednesday, September 1
TDF: Conversation About Staging Sex Scenes
On Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET, TDF and NYC-based theatre Company of Fools present a conversation about intimacy direction, a relatively new profession that ensures performers in intimate scenes are safe and comfortable. Company of Fools’ managing director Collin Blackard moderates this discussion between intimacy directors Cristina “Cha” Ramos and Brooke M. Haney. Watch for free on TDF’s YouTube channel.
Rattlestick Playwrights Theater: Ni Mi Madre
On Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. ET, NYC’s acclaimed Rattlestick Playwrights Theater is presenting a hybrid season, with its productions performed in person but also streamed to at-home audiences. First up is Arturo Luís Soria‘s autobiographically inspired solo show Ni Mi Madre, about the complex relationship between an over-the-top Brazilian woman and her queer son as they grapple with identity and what it means to be an immigrant family in America. Tickets are usually $40 for both streamed and in-person performances at Rattlestick Playwrights Theater, but this evening they are pay-what-you-wish.
Thursday, September 2
Jacob’s Pillow: STREB Extreme Action
On Thursday at 7:30 p.m. ET, the Berkshires’ lauded Jacob’s Pillow dance festival resumed in-person performances this summer, but select events are also being streamed to at-home audiences. Starting tonight, you can watch a retrospective of high-energy pieces choreographed by Elizabeth Streb, who fuses acrobatics, aerial arts and contemporary dance. This program chronicles STREB’s evolution from experimental solos in the ’70s and ’80s to breathtaking 21st-century action epics featuring wild circus-style contraptions. RSVP to receive the free viewing link though donations are encouraged. The recording is viewable until Thursday, September 16 at 6 p.m. ET.
Rattlestick Playwrights Theater: Ni Mi Madre
On Thursday at 7:30 p.m. ET, NYC’s acclaimed Rattlestick Playwrights Theater is presenting a hybrid season, with its productions performed in person but also streamed to at-home audiences. First up is Arturo Luís Soria‘s autobiographically inspired solo show Ni Mi Madre, about the complex relationship between an over-the-top Brazilian woman and her queer son as they grapple with identity and what it means to be an immigrant family in America. Tickets are $40 for both streamed and in-person performances at Rattlestick Playwrights Theater.
Friday, September 3
Chichester Festival Theatre: South Pacific
On Friday at 2:30 p.m. ET, it’s your last chance to watch Chichester Festival Theatre‘s mounting of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s beloved musical South Pacific. Filmed live on stage at the UK theatre in July, this new production of the Tony-winning classic about romance and racism during World War II features British stage stars Gina Beck and Julian Ovenden as Navy nurse Nellie Forbush and Emile de Becque, the dashing Frenchman with a secret; Joanna Ampil as Bloody Mary; Keir Charles as Luther Billis and Rob Houchen as Lt. Joseph Cable. Tickets start at £20, approximately $28, and the recording is viewable for 24 hours from the start time. Closed captions and audio description are available.
Rattlestick Playwrights Theater: Ni Mi Madre
On Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET, NYC’s acclaimed Rattlestick Playwrights Theater is presenting a hybrid season, with its productions performed in person but also streamed to at-home audiences. First up is Arturo Luís Soria‘s autobiographically inspired solo show Ni Mi Madre, about the complex relationship between an over-the-top Brazilian woman and her queer son as they grapple with identity and what it means to be an immigrant family in America. Tickets are $40 for both streamed and in-person performances at Rattlestick Playwrights Theater.
Saturday, September 4
Rattlestick Playwrights Theater: Ni Mi Madre
On Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET, NYC’s acclaimed Rattlestick Playwrights Theater is presenting a hybrid season, with its productions performed in person but also streamed to at-home audiences. First up is Arturo Luís Soria‘s autobiographically inspired solo show Ni Mi Madre, about the complex relationship between an over-the-top Brazilian woman and her queer son as they grapple with identity and what it means to be an immigrant family in America. Tickets are $40 for both streamed and in-person performances at Rattlestick Playwrights Theater.
Sunday, September 5
Rattlestick Playwrights Theater: Ni Mi Madre
On Sunday at 4 p.m. ET, NYC’s acclaimed Rattlestick Playwrights Theater is presenting a hybrid season, with its productions performed in person but also streamed to at-home audiences. First up is Arturo Luís Soria‘s autobiographically inspired solo show Ni Mi Madre, about the complex relationship between an over-the-top Brazilian woman and her queer son as they grapple with identity and what it means to be an immigrant family in America. Tickets are $40 for both streamed and in-person performances at Rattlestick Playwrights Theater.
Monday, September 6
Rattlestick Playwrights Theater: Ni Mi Madre
On Monday at 7:30 p.m. ET, NYC’s acclaimed Rattlestick Playwrights Theater is presenting a hybrid season, with its productions performed in person but also streamed to at-home audiences. First up is Arturo Luís Soria‘s autobiographically inspired solo show Ni Mi Madre, about the complex relationship between an over-the-top Brazilian woman and her queer son as they grapple with identity and what it means to be an immigrant family in America. Tickets are $40 for both streamed and in-person performances at Rattlestick Playwrights Theater.
Available to Watch Anytime August 27-September 6
Signature Theatre: Detroit ’67
Virginia’s lauded Signature Theatre presents Detroit ’67, the first installment in Tony-nominated playwright Dominique Morisseau‘s Detroit Project exploring different periods in her beloved hometown’s history. This powerful family drama about two Black siblings squabbling over how to move forward takes place against the backdrop of the Detroit Rebellion, as tensions rise indoors and outside. Directed by Candis C. Jones, this production was filmed live on stage. Tickets are $35 but if you’re a TDF member, log in to your account to purchase them at a discount. The recording is viewable until Thursday, September 16.
Jacob’s Pillow: LaTasha Barnes Presents
The Berkshires’ lauded Jacob’s Pillow dance festival resumed in-person performances this summer, but select events are also being streamed to at-home audiences. Catch a new installment of LaTasha Barnes‘s The Jazz Continuum series, spotlighting the vibrancy of jazz dance and the Lindy Hop. RSVP to receive the free viewing link though donations are encouraged. The recording is viewable until Thursday, September 9 at 6 p.m. ET.
Untitled Theater Company #61: Alma Baya
Untitled Theater Company #61 presents Alma Baya, which was filmed live on stage for at-home audiences. In this absurdist sci-fi drama, Alma and Baya are struggling to survive on a hostile planet. But when a refugee arrives begging for shelter, they face a moral dilemma. Two different casts perform this thought-provoking play, written and directed by Edward Einhorn. Tickets are $25 for the on-demand recording but if you’re a TDF member, log in to your account to purchase them at a discount. The recording is viewable until Sunday, September 19.
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Top image: Kristin Chenoweth, who cohosts Wicked in Concert, which airs on PBS. Photo courtesy of Edvin Cobaj/Nouveau Productions
RAVEN SNOOK