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In-person shows have been back for over a year now, but sometimes we want to get our theatre fix at home. Thankfully, there are still wonderful stage performances to watch online. Our carefully curated list spotlights the five best performances to stream this weekend, Friday, August 5 to Sunday, August 7, for free or at low cost.
Gypsy Starring Imelda Staunton
Streaming all weekend for FREE
British stage legend Imelda Staunton won her third Olivier Award for her tour-de-force turn as Mama Rose in the Chichester Festival's critically acclaimed revival of Gypsy. The production transfered to London's Savoy Theatre, where this searing mounting of Stephen Sondheim and Jules Styne's musical about getting famous at all costs was filmed. Tony nominee Lonny Price (A Class Act, Sunset Boulevard) directs. Let them entertain you!
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All Arts: New Actors for the Classics Featuring Patti LuPone
Streaming all weekend for FREE
Curious to see a young Patti LuPone performing scenes from classics, including a bit from The School for Scandal opposite David Ogden Stiers? Or how about Kevin Kline juggling? That's just two of the many highlights of New Actors for the Classics, an hour-long profile of the inaugural graduating class of Juilliard's Drama Division in 1972. It's a fascinating look at up-and-coming legends.
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National Theatre at Home: Jane Eyre
Streaming all weekend for $10
In 2020, London's lauded National Theatre launched its own streaming service featuring professional stage captures of its productions. While you can buy a subscription, shows are also available to rent individually for 72 hours. New to the roster is Jane Eyre, Sally Cookson's critically acclaimed stage adaptation of Charlotte Brontë's beloved novel. Coproduced by the National Theatre and Bristol Old Vic, this sweeping epic chronicles one woman's fight for freedom and fulfilment on her own terms as she grapples with poverty, injustice and a bitter betrayal. Jane Eyre costs $10 and captions are available. It's just one of many fantastic National Theatre shows you can stream, so be sure to browse the entire list.
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From Number to Name: Back to Life
Streaming Friday, August 5 at 10 p.m., Saturday, August 6 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, August 7 at 8 p.m. ET for $20 and up
Performance artist and activist Kristina Wong rightfully won a slew of awards for her riotous Off-Broadway solo show Kristina Wong, Sweatshop Overlord. She's collaborating with LA's East West Players on her latest politically charged piece, From Number to Name: Back to Life, which is being presented live via Zoom. Directed and devised by Wong, this is the second installment in a series showcasing the real-life stories of Asian-Americans/Pacific Islanders who spent time in prison and their hopes for reimagining our criminal justice system. This powerful piece features formerly incarcerated members of API RISE, their families and supporters, and includes a post-performance Q&A.
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Live from 54 Below: Melissa Errico with Billy Stritch: Swing Lessons
Streaming Saturday, August 6 at 7 p.m. ET for $25
Luminous Broadway soprano Melissa Errico and jazz master Billy Stritch team up for a swinging celebration of the American Songbook—with a smidge of Legrand and Sondheim. Their disparate styles complement each other in this evening of sassy stories and superlative songs by Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, Rodgers & Hammerstein and Lerner and Loewe. This enchanted evening is being streamed live from 54 Below's stage. If you prefer to attend in person, click here for info.
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Raven Snook is the Editor of TDF Stages. Follow her at @RavenSnook. Follow TDF at @TDFNYC.
Top image: Imelda Staunton in Gypsy, which is streaming all weekend for free. Photo by Johan Persson.
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