TDF Stages

With in-person theatre out of commission for the foreseeable future, many companies and performers from Broadway and beyond are showcasing their work online. Below are performances you can watch today, Wednesday, September 2, from the comfort of your couch for free or at low cost.

The Metropolitan Opera: Cendrillon
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 at 5 p.m. ET. These productions have been specially selected for families, and Zoom education sessions leading up to the screening teach school-age kids about opera. This week's offering is Cendrillon, Jules Massenet and Henri Caïn's turn-of-the-20th-century take on the old Cinderella story, featuring internationally revered mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato in the title role and Alice Coote as her drag king prince. Kathleen Kim, Stephanie Blythe and Laurent Naouri costar in this 2018 mounting. Watch for free until Friday at 5 p.m. ET on the Metropolitan Opera's website.

Bristol Riverside Theatre: Broadway Summer Spectacular
At 7 p.m. ET, Pennsylvania's Bristol Riverside Theatre brings its annual concert of showstoppers online, with Broadway vets such as Derrick Cobey (Kiss Me, Kate), Telly Leung (Aladdin), Jessica Wagner (The Phantom of the Opera) crooning beloved tunes by Stephen Sondheim, Richard Rodgers and George Gershwin. Tickets are $35.

Urban Stages: Bars and Measures
At 7 p.m. ET, Off-Off Broadway's Urban Stages kicks off its September Play Fest & Fundraiser series with a reading of Idris Goodwin's Bars and Measures, which was a hit for the theatre last year. The moving story of two estranged brothers, one Christian, the other Muslim, who reconnect through their shared love of music, this performance reunites the cast of the 2019 production: Shabazz Green, Roderick Lawrence, Abraham Makany and Salma Shaw. There will be a post-show Q&A with the playwright, actors and director Kristan Seemel. Watch for free on Urban Stages' YouTube channel though donations are encouraged.

Funny Women of a Certain Age
At 7:30 p.m. ET, the seasoned comics in Funny Women of a Certain Age really pack some punch lines. Carole Montgomery and her pals are bawdy broads who've seen it all, and they're willing to talk. Tickets are available to purchase from the theatre but TDF members get a discount.

The Metropolitan Opera: Nixon in China
At 7:30 p.m. ET, the Metropolitan Opera presents Nixon in China, John Adams' groundbreaking examination of President Nixon's controversial 1972 visit with Chairman Mao in Beijing. This 2011 mounting was staged by Peter Sellars and choreographed by Mark Morris, with James Maddalena as Nixon and Robert Brubaker as Mao. Watch for free for 23 hours after the start time on the Metropolitan Opera's website. You can still stream yesterday's opera, Peter Grimes, until 6:30 p.m. ET today.

Stars in the House: Curtains Reunion
At 8 p.m. ET, there's no mystery as to why Broadway favorite Jason Danieley is guest hosting tonight's episode of Stars in the House—it's because he's welcoming his Curtains costars! Kander and Ebbs' backstage whodunit featured David Hyde Pierce, who won a Tony for his hilarious turn as a theatre-obsessed gumshoe, Debra Monk and Karen Ziemba. The quartet reunites to share stories, songs and secrets. Watch for free on YouTube though donations to The Actors Fund are encouraged.

Available to Watch All Day

A Come From Away Conversation
Yesterday, TDF live-streamed a moving conversation between Come From Away castmates Caesar Samayoa and Kenita R. Miller, and you can watch a recording today! The musical's message of resilience, hope and togetherness speaks urgently to our current moment. Expect lots of laughs and a few tears as these offstage pals discuss their funniest onstage mishaps, how they've been staying creative during the shutdown and what they think the future of theatre looks like. Watch on TDF's Facebook page.

American Ballet Theatre: Center Stage Reunion
Last night, the esteemed American Ballet Theatre reunited the stars of the cult dance movie Center Stage in celebration of its 20th anniversary, and you can watch a recording today. Costars Zoe Saldana, Amanda Schull, Ethan Stiefel and Sascha Radetsky share stories about their time at the "American Ballet Academy" and chat about the film's impact on the dance world. Watch for free on ABT's YouTube channel though donations are encouraged.

Metropolitan Opera Stars Live in Concert: Lise Davidsen
On Saturday, the Metropolitan Opera presented Lise Davidsen in a live recital, and you can watch a recording through Thursday, September 10. The Norwegian soprano performs some of her signature arias and songs, including selections from Wagner's Tannhäser and Puccini's Manon Lescaut as well as works by Sibelius and Grieg. James Baillieu accompanies her on piano from Oslo's stunning Oscarshall. Tickets cost $20.

Rattlestick Playwrights Theater: SOLDIERGIRLS
On Monday, Rattlestick Playwrights Theater presented a concert reading of songs and scenes from SOLDIERGIRLS, and you can watch a recording today. A new "lesbian musical sex comedy" by Em Weinstein and Emily Johnson-Erday, the show is inspired by real correspondence between members of the US Army's Women's Army Corps in World War II. Tony nominees Jenn Collela and Lilli Cooper, and Broadway vets Chilina Kennedy, Ezra Menas, Melanie Field and Jessie Shelton star. Watch for free on Rattlestick's YouTube channel though donations to SPART*A (Service Members, Partners, Allies for Respect and Tolerance for All) are encouraged.

Top image: David Hyde Pierce in Curtains on Broadway. Photo by Joan Marcus.