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With in-person theatre out of commission for the foreseeable future, many stage performers are sharing their talents online. In addition to interviews and performances with Broadway stars and recordings of full-length shows, this holiday weekend roundup includes special Easter and Passover events such as a star-studded Seder and two different productions of Jesus Christ Superstar. All of our picks can be watched this weekend, April 11 and 12, from the comfort of your couch for free (or at very low cost).
Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Shows Must Go On! series continues with a recording of Jesus Christ Superstar. Filmed as an arena rock opera in 2012, the performance stars musical comedian/Matilda songwriter Tim Minchin as Judas, former Spice Girl Melanie C as Mary Magdalene and Ben Forster as Jesus. Watch it for free on YouTube through Sunday at 2 p.m.
Amazon Prime is streaming National Theatre's live recording of Phoebe Waller-Bridge's critically acclaimed solo stage show Fleabag, the basis for her award-winning TV series of the same name. See how the uproariousness began on Amazon Prime anytime through Friday, April 24 for $5. Proceeds benefit front-line healthcare workers and creative freelancers.
Shakespeare's Globe in London is streaming its 2018 production of Hamlet featuring artistic director Michelle Terry in the title role. Watch it for free on the theatre's YouTube channel through Saturday, April 19.
London's Hampstead Theatre continues its #HampsteadTheatreAtHome series with a recording of its 2014 production of Beth Steel's Wonderland, a drama about the UK miners' strike of the mid-'80s. Watch it for free on the company's website through Sunday evening.
Playbill is streaming a recording of Broadway's Bandstand, an underrated musical starring Laura Ones and Corey Cott about WWII vets trying to win a music contest while grappling with PTSD. For $6.99, you can watch it on Playbill anytime through April 17, but for extra engagement, tune in on Saturday, April 11 at 8 p.m. when members of the cast will live-tweet the show as part of a virtual viewing party.
On Saturday at 2 p.m. EST, Stars in the House presents a live reading of Fuddy Meers by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright David Lindsay-Abaire. A poignant dark comedy about an amnesiac who awakens each day with no memory of what came before, the show was originally produced at Manhattan Theatre Club in 1999. That cast reunites for this special event, including J. Smith-Cameron, Marylouise Burke and Patrick Breen. Watch it for free on The Actors Fund's YouTube channel. Note: This is a one-time only performance and won't be available to watch after-the-fact.
On Saturday at 6:30 p.m. EST, cabaret haven Feinstein's/54 Below continues its #54BelowatHome series with a 2018 reunion of the contestants from Legally Blonde: The Musical – The Search For Elle Woods. In the decade since that MTV reality competition, many participants went on to perform on Broadway, including Autumn Hurlbert (Something Rotten!), Libby Servais (Wicked, Lysistrata Jones) and Lauren Zakrin (The Great Comet). Watch for free on the club's YouTube channel.
On Saturday at 7 p.m. EST, the 92nd Street Y streams a live conversation with Broadway songwriters and longtime friends Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Pippin, Godspell) and John Bucchino (A Catered Affair). In addition to talking about their craft, both artists will share songs from their respective catalogs, with Schwartz performing tunes from Prince of Egypt, his new musical that just opened in London. Watch for free on 92Y's website.
On Saturday at 7:30 p.m. EST, NY1's invaluable series On Stage kicks off a two-part special with host Frank DiLella virtually checking in with a slew of NYC stage stars to see how they're faring. Expect stories and songs from Annaleigh Ashford, Tituss Burgess, Kristin Chenoweth, Gavin Creel, Alan Cumming, Cheyenne Jackson, Judith Light, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Matthew Morrison, Jessie Mueller, Kelli O’Hara, Andrew Rannells, Chita Rivera, Ali Stroker, Ben Vereen, Adrienne Warren and many. many more. Don't worry if you don't get NY1: the special will also be aired on the channel's Facebook page.
On Saturday at 7:30 p.m. EST, the Metropolitan Opera presents Donizetti's Don Pasquale, starring Anna Netrebko, Matthew Polenzani, Mariusz Kwiecien and John Del Carlo, and conducted by James Levine. The 2010 production was filmed for the company's Live in HD series, and is available to watch for free for 23 hours after the start time at metopera.org. You can still stream Friday's opera, Roméo et Juliette, until 6:30 p.m.
On Saturday at 8 p.m. EST, mark the fourth night of Passover with a star-studded and song-filled Saturday Night Seder. A jaw-dropping roster of celebrities of many faiths has been putting this virtual celebration together for weeks, including Broadway luminaries Jason Alexander, Ben Platt, Cynthia Erivo, Josh Groban, Bette Midler, Idina Menzel and Billy Porter. Watch for free on the show's website, though donations to CDC Foundation’s Coronavirus Emergency Response Fund are encouraged.
On Saturday at 8 p.m. EST, Kristin Chenoweth joins Seth Rudetsky and James Wesley on Stars in the House to celebrate Joel Grey's 88th birthday! Special guests are promised, and considering the Tony and Oscar winner's illustrious and long stage career—from the Emcee in Cabaret to the Wizard in Wicked to directing The Normal Heart and Yiddish Fiddler—we expect some exciting surprises. This twice daily series supports The Actors Fund, and you can watch for free on the organization's YouTube channel.
On Saturday at 9 p.m. EST, Alec Baldwin headlines a live reading of Lyle Kessler's Orphans, a drama about a gangster and two very dysfunctional brothers that the 30 Rock star previously performed on Broadway. This event is a benefit for Australia's Red Line Productions and viewers are encouraged to make donations of any amount before tuning in to watch you YouTube. Note: This is a one-time only performance and won't be available to watch after-the-fact.
On Sunday at noon EST, Peter Michael Marino performs Desperately Seeking the Exit, his riotous solo comedy about the behind-the-scenes drama at his notorious 2007 London flop musical Desperately Seeking Susan. Tickets are available to purchase online but but TDF members get a discount.
On Sunday at 2 p.m. EST, it's a Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert reunion on Stars in the House. Stars Brandon Victor Dixon, Alice Cooper, Jason Tam and Norm Lewis, and composer Andrew Lloyd Webber join hosts Seth Rudetsky and James Wesley for stories and songs about the hit 2019 broadcast, which is set to re-air in the evening. Watch the cast for free on The Actors Fund's YouTube channel, and then tune in to NBC at 7 p.m. to watch the full musical.
On Sunday at 2 p.m., kid-lit favorite The Velveteen Rabbit comes alive in a reading of Kevin Del Aguila's inventive stage adaptation of the beloved children's book. Have tissues handy! This event is presented as a benefit for TheaterWorksUSA, and while you can watch for free on the family theatre's YouTube channel, a $5 per viewer donation is encouraged.
On Sunday at 5 p.m., musical theatre favorite George Salazar launches his new online chat show Sundays on the Couch with George by interviewing his longtime pal Joe Iconis, the songwriter who gave the host his breakout Broadway role in Be More Chill. Watch for free on Salazar's YouTube channel.
On Sunday at 7 p.m. EST, celebrate Easter evening with a rebroadcast of Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert, certainly one of the best live TV musicals ever mounted. John Legend, Sara Bareilles and Brandon Victor Dixon star in this exhilarating interpretation of Andrew Lloyd Webber's classic. You're going to need a TV for this one, so tune in to NBC.
On Sunday at 7:30 p.m. EST, catch the second half of NY1's two-part On Stage special, with host Frank DiLella checking in with a slew of NYC stage stars. See Saturday at 7:30 p.m. for more info. Don't worry if you don't get NY1: the special will also be aired on the channel's Facebook page.
On Sunday at 7:30 p.m. EST, the Metropolitan Opera presents Mozart's Cosi fan tutte, starring Amanda Majeski, Serena Malfi, Kelli O’Hara, Ben Bliss, Adam Plachetka and Christopher Maltman, and conducted by David Robertson. The 2018 production was filmed for the company's Live in HD series, and is available to watch for free for 23 hours after the start time at metopera.org. You can still stream Saturday's opera, Don Pasquale, until 6:30 p.m.
On Sunday at 8 p.m. EST, Ken Davenport hosts a reunion of the 2011 revival of Godspell, the first Broadway production he ever produced. Cast members scheduled to appear include Morgan James, Telly Leung and George Salazar. Watch for free on Davenport's Facebook page.
On Sunday at 8 p.m. EST, Seth Rudetsky and James Wesley welcome cast members from the campy TV series Desperate Housewives to Stars in the House. Marcia Cross, Dana Delaney, Eva Longoria, Brenda Strong and Broadway regular Vanessa Williams are all set to appear. This twice daily series supports The Actors Fund, and you can watch for free on the organization's YouTube channel.
Remember to check out our roundup of performances you can watch online anytime.
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Raven Snook is the Editor of TDF Stages. Follow her at @RavenSnook. Follow TDF at @TDFNYC.
Top image: Brandon Victor Dixon in Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert. Photo courtesy of Peter Kramer/NBC.
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