Top 5 Stage Performances to Stream This Weekend April 17-19
Even though in-person theatre and dance are back in full swing, in the name of accessibility we’re continuing to round up performances to watch online from the comfort of home. Our curated list spotlights the five best options to stream this weekend, Friday, April 17 to Sunday, April 19, for free or at low cost.
Live from 54 Below: Marilyn Maye’s Annual Birthday Concert
Live-streaming Sunday, April 19 at 7 p.m. ET for $30
Enjoy a beloved annual tradition as cabaret legend Marilyn Maye marks her birthday (98 this year!) in song. Backed by her world-class jazz ensemble, the nifty nonagenarian will put her indelible stamp on American songbook standards and Broadway show tunes while sharing stories from her eight-decade career (she started performing professionally at 14!). Streaming live from 54 Below’s swanky stage. If you prefer to attend in person, click here for info.
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New York City Fringe
Various shows live-streaming at various times at a sliding scale until Sunday, April 19.
FRIGID New York is currently presenting its annual New York City Fringe fest featuring more than 70 eclectic shows at four Manhattan venues. But if you can’t make it in person, many of the productions are available to live-stream at home. This weekend’s online offerings include LIPSTICK, Edu Díaz’s fabulous search for self (Sunday, April 19 at 2 p.m. ET); the outrageous romp Four Stupid Terrorists (Friday, April 17 at 6 p.m. and Sunday, April 19 at 2 p.m. ET); Thoughts & Prayers, a meditation on mass shootings inspired by Antigone (Saturday, April 18 at 7 p.m. ET); the solo Slut Liturgy about religious mania (Sunday, April 19 at 7 p.m. ET); and Revenge of the Soy Boy, fusing Star Wars and social commentary (Sunday, April 19 at 5:20 p.m. ET). Be sure to browse the complete schedule to see what else is streaming!
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Great Performances at the Met: La Sonnambula
Streaming for FREE.
Recorded live onstage at The Met last fall, this new staging of Bellini’s comedy of confusion stars Nadine Sierra as a young woman who’s discovered sleeping in the bed of a stranger by her startled fiancé (Xabier Anduaga). Tenor-turned-director Rolando Villazón conceived of this fresh production, which uses the tale to explore the mysterious workings of the mind.
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National Theatre at Home: The Land of the Living
Streaming for $10.
David Lan’s drama set in the wake of World War II stars British stage legend Juliet Stevenson as Ruth, a UN relief worker who’s put in charge of Thomas, one of the myriad kids stolen by the Nazis from Eastern Europe. Should she search for his parents or leave him with the family that’s been raising him? Inspired by real events, the play was recorded live onstage last year and is directed by Tony winner Stephen Daldry. This is just one of many fantastic National Theatre shows you can stream, so be sure to browse the entire list. Captions are available for all offerings.
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PBS Great Performances: Message in a Bottle
Streaming until Thursday, April 30 for FREE.
Acclaimed choreographer Kate Prince is behind this thrilling dance-theatre piece set to songs by rock icon Sting and his band The Police. Filmed live onstage at London’s Sadler’s Wells Theatre, this compelling performance follows a migrant family risking everything to find a new home. The score includes 17 hits by the Grammy-winning artist, including “Every Breath You Take,” “Roxanne” and “Walking on the Moon.”
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