With yesterday’s good news that those who are vaccinated can go around without masks with the exception of a few specified areas, it seems like only a matter of time before live events will come roaring back.

The question now is whether or not all the streaming events of the past 15 months will become a relic of the era or a regular part of our cultural experience. Only time will tell.

For now, there are still plenty of great programs available for viewing. Topping our list is MCC Theater’s Miscast 2021 Gala. There are two other gala events, a new musical reading, a vintage classical music concert, new music, a play reading and more.

Here are the Best Bets: May 14th – May 17th.

*TOP PICK* – Miscast 2021 – MCC Theater – May 16th – May 20th

Yesterday we posted a full preview of this event, but here’s what makes this show so entertaining: Broadway stars perform songs separately or with others they would never be cast to sing. For instance, Robert Fairchild sings this song from the musical Sweet Charity in a clip from last year’s “quarantine” edition of Miscast.

This year’s line-up includes Annaleigh Ashford (Sunday in the Park with George), Melissa Barrera (In the Heights), Gavin Creel (Hello, Dolly!), Robin de Jesús (The Boys in the Band), Renée Elise Goldsberry (Hamilton), Leslie Grace (In the Heights), Cheyenne Jackson (Finian’s Rainbow), Jai’Len Josey (SpongeBob SquarePants), LaChanze (Summer: The Donna Summer Musical), Idina Menzel (Wicked), Kelli O’Hara (Kiss Me, Kate), Billy Porter (Kinky Boots), Kelly Marie Tran (Raya and the Last Dragon), Aaron Tveit (Moulin Rouge) and Patrick Wilson (The Full Monty).

This is a free event, though donations are encouraged.

PLAY READING: Watch on the Rhine – Broadway’s Best Shows – Now – May 17th

Lillian Hellman’s Watch on the Rhine had its world premiere at the Martin Beck Theater on April 1, 1941. Her play tells the story of a German man, Mueller, married to an American woman, who is involved with anti-fascist causes in Europe. While visiting his wife’s relatives in Washington, D.C., another guest, also staying with the family, blackmails Mueller after discovering Mueller is planning to send money to aid underground operations in Germany.

For this reading as part of Spotlight on Plays, Ellen Burstyn, Alan Cox, Carla Gugino, Mary Beth Peil and Jeremy Shamos star in this reading directed by Sarna Lapine.

Tickets are $18 with the reading available for viewing through Monday at 6:00 PM ET/3:00 PM PT. Proceeds from the reading benefit The Actors Fund.

Trivia: Two years later a film version of Watch on the Rhine was released starring Bette Davis and Paul Lukas (reprising his role from Broadway). The film was nominated for four Academy Awards including Best Picture. Lukas won for Best Actor.

DANCE: Stephen Petronio Company – The Joyce Theater – Now – May 26th

There are five works being showcased in this new film by the Stephen Petronio Company, the New York-based dance company that was founded in 1984.

Two of the five pieces being performed are set to songs made famous by Elvis Presley: Are You Lonesome Tonight and Love Me Tender.

There are two versions of Are You Lonesome Tonight being performed. Love Me Tender was originally performed in 1993 in a collaboration with artist Cindy Sherman.

New Prayer For Now (Part 1) has its debut in this film. Petronio was inspired by Balm in Gilead and Bridge Over Troubled Water when creating New Prayer…. Monstah Black (who is also a dancer and choreographer in addition to being a musician) composed the music and performs with the Young People’s Chorus of New York City.

The program wraps up with a new version of Group Primary Accumulation by Trisha Brown and Pandemic Portraits, a film by Dancing Camera.

Tickets are $25.

CLASSICAL MUSIC: Berlin Philharmonic 1967 – Carnegie Hall – May 14 – May 21st

Herbert von Karajan leads the Berliner Philharmoniker in a performance of Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 with soloist Alexis Weissenberg.

This is amongst the most popular concerti in the world. But if Weissenberg’s name isn’t familiar to today’s audiences, this quote from his obituary by Maraglit Fox in the New York Times defines his reputation:

“Mr. Weissenberg possessed a technical prowess rivaled by few other pianists. The ice of his demeanor at the keyboard (he sat, leaned forward and got down to business, playing with scarcely a smile or grimace) was matched by the fire that came off the keys.” (Weissenberg passed away in 2012.)

There is no charge to watch this performance. This is the first of a new series Carnegie Hall Selects featuring performances by artists who played major roles in the 130-year history of the venue.

BROADWAY VOCALS: Jose Llana: Broadway Stories & Songs with Ted Sperling – May 14th – 8:00 PM ET/5:00 PM PT

Broadway star Jose Llana is Ted Sperling‘s guest for Broadway Stories & Songs. Llana has been seen in The King and I, Rent, Street Corner Symphony, Flower Drum Song, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and Wonderland on Broadway.

I first saw him in Flower Drum Song at the Mark Taper Forum. I also saw him in the incredible show Here Lies Love at the Public Theater.

He also performed Adam Guettel’s song cycle Saturn Returns (later renamed Myths and Hymns) which is where he and Sperling first worked together.

If you can’t see the show on Friday, there is an encore showing scheduled for May 15th at 2:00 PM ET/11:00 AM PT. Tickets for either showing are $25. You can watch the show a second time if you buy tickets for the Friday night showing.

JAZZ: Robert Glasper: Everything’s Beautiful – SFJAZZ – May 14th – 8:00 PM ET/5:00 PM PT

This 2018 concert found innovative musician/composer Robert Glasper putting his own spin on works by Miles Davis for his album Everything’s Beautiful. Glasper’s music was featured in Don Cheadle’s film Miles Ahead from 2015.

If you don’t know Glasper or his work, he’s one of the most interesting artists working in jazz today. He’s also collaborated with Erykah Badu, Herbie Hancock, Kendrick Lamar, Ledisi and Jill Scott.

Joining Glasper in this performance are vocalist Bilal; Michael Severson on guitars; Burniss Travis on bass and Justin Tyson on drums.

If you can’t watch Friday night’s showing that is part of SFJAZZ’s Fridays at Five series, there is an encore showing on Saturday, May 15th at 1:00 PM ET/10:00 AM PT. Tickets require either a one-month digital membership for $5 or a $50 annual digital membership.

MUSICAL: Breathe: A New Musical – May 14th – July 9th

Playwright Timothy Allen McDonald (Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka) and novelist Jodi Picoult (The Book of Two Ways) have teamed up for this new musical suite that features interlocking stories of five different couples navigating their way through the Covid pandemic and its impact on their lives.

The songs were written by Doug Besterman (The Big One-Oh!), Zina Goldrich (Ever After), Marcy Heisler (Hollywood Romance), Kate Leonard (Ratatouille: The TiKTok Musical), Douglas Lyons (Peter, Darling), Daniel J. Mertzlufft (Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical), Rebecca Murillo (Credence & Cecilia), Ethan Pakchar (Five Points), Rob Rokicki (The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical) and Sharon Vaughn (My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys).

Appearing in this online musical are Tony Award winners Kelli O’Hara and Brian Stokes Mitchell along with Denée Benton (Hamilton), Rubén J. Carbajal (Hamilton), Max Clayton (Moulin Rouge), Josh Davis (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical), Colin Donnell (Anything Goes), Matt Doyle (the upcoming revival of Company), Patti Murin (Frozen), T. Oliver Reid (Hadestown), and Daniel Yearwood (Once on This Island).

Tickets are $25 to watch Breathe. If you want to join the official opening night on Friday, May 14th at 8:00 PM ET/5:00 PM PT, those tickets are $40 and includes an post-premiere cast party and a download of the music from the show.

CONTEMPORARY SONG CYCLE: Dorothea – CAP UCLA – Debuts May 15th – 10:00 PM ET/7:00 PM PT

Ted Hearne, one of our most fascinating and interesting composes, has created a song cycle inspired by the poetry of Dorothea Lasky.

Lasky is an acclaimed poet who told the LA Review of Books, “I do believe it’s better not to be safe in your poems.” As a composer, Hearne also doesn’t play it safe.

They both are utterly compelling. This combination should double down on that and prove to be very exciting to watch.

Hearne was a Pulitzer Prize finalist for his 2018 composition Sound From the Bench. Both Los Angeles Opera and San Francisco Opera performed his opera The Source about Chelsea Manning.

Hearne will be singing vocals in this performance. Joining him are Eliza Bagg on vocals and synths; Ashley Bathgate on cello; Nathan Koci on piano/keyboards; Diana Wade on viola; Ron Wiltrout on drums and Ayanna Woods on bass.   

There is no charge to watch Dorothea. Donations to CAP UCLA are encouraged.

CLASSICAL MUSIC: Nadia Sirota, Gabriel Cabezas and Rob Moose – The Phillips Collections – Debuts May 16th – 4:00 PM ET/1:00 PM PT

Johann Sebastian Bach’s Trio Sonata No. 6 in G Major, BWV 530 serves as the foundation for this performance by violist Nadia Sirota, cellist Gabriel Cabezas and violinist Rob Moose.

The concert will begin and end with a movement from the sonata with a third movement at the halfway point.

Interspersed amongst the concert are works by three of today’s most interesting contemporary composers: Marcos Batler, Missy Mazzoli and Nico Muhly.

Sirota is also the music producer for Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra’s Close Quarters series.

There is no charge to watch this performance, however registration is required. The program will remain available for viewing through May 22nd.

PLAY READING: Sejanus, His Fall – Red Bull Theater – Debuts May 17th – 7:30 PM ET/4:30 PM PT

New York’s Red Bull Theater will present a new adaptation of Ben Johnson’s 17th-century play Sejanus, His Fall on Monday night. The adaptation is by Nathan Winkelstein, who also directs.

The play depicts a power struggle between Tiberius, the Emperor of Rome and Sejanus, his right-hand man. Sejanus covets being the emperor. Tiberius has no desire to make that a possibility. Factions line up behind each man and the power struggle begins with all of our own contemporary issues surrounding politics and power at play.

Participating in the reading are: Shirine Babb (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child), Grantham Coleman (The Great Society), Keith David (Seven Guitars), Manoel Felciano (To Kill a Mockingbird), Denis O’Hare (Assassins), Matthew Rauch (Junk), Liv Rooth (To Kill a Mockingbird), Laila Robins (Heartbreak House), Stephen Spinella (Angels in America), Emily Swallow (High Fidelity), Raphael Nash Thompson (The Red Letter Plays), Tamara Tunie (Radio Golf) and James Udom (The Rolling Stone).

Tickets are pay what you can with proceeds going to Red Bull Theater.

CONCERT/GALA: Stand Up, Stand Strong – Covenant House – May 17th – 8:00 PM ET/5:00 PM PT

Sara Bareilles, Stephanie J. Block, Jon Bon Jovi, Zach Braff, Terron Brooks, Rachel Brosnahan, Stephen Colbert, Charlie Day, Darius De Haas, Ariana DeBose, Mary Elizabeth Ellis, Morgan Freeman, Jon Hamm, Adrianna Hicks, James Monroe Iglehart, Capathia Jenkins, Jewel, Jeremy Jordan, Amanda Kloots, Ames McNamara, Laurie Metcalf, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Abby Mueller, Alex Newell, Desus Nice and The Kid Mero, Kelli O’Hara, Laura Osnes, Dolly Parton, Jo Ellen Pellman, Ben Platt, Jason Ralph, Ryan Reynolds, Chita Rivera, Robin Roberts, Aliza Russell, Keala Settle, Tony Shalhoub, Meryl Streep, Ana Villafañe, Dionne Warwick, Marlon Wayans, Frank Wildhorn, Vanessa Williams, Daniel Yearwood and more will join co-hosts Audra McDonald and John Dickerson for this annual fundraiser for Covenant House.

The organization provides shelter for homeless youth living on the streets. They have helped more than one million youth since their inception more than 40 years ago.

This gala fundraiser will offer music, stories and more. There is no charge to watch the show, however donations are encouraged. For a list of the many ways you can watch Stand Up, Stand Strong, please go here.

VOCALS/STORIES: Jim Caruso’s Pajama Cast Party – May 17th – 8:00 PM ET/5:00 PM PT

Though Jim Caruso has multiple guests for this Monday’s 58th episode of Pajama Cast Party, I can sum up the reason to tune into this particular episode with two words: Marilyn Maye.

That’s the official list of Best Bets: May 14th – May 17th. Here are also a few reminders:

Lincoln Center Theater’s Tales from the Wings, which we previewed here, will remain available through Monday, May 17th. This is a must for theater fans.

The Los Angeles Philharmonic debuts Chamber Music: Piazzolla in their Filmed at the Ford series. You can find details here.

This weekend’s offering from the Metropolitan Opera include the documentary The Audition on Friday; Rossini’s Il Barbiere di Siviglia from the 2014-2015 season on Saturday and Donizetti’s Roberto Devereux from the 2015-2016 season on Sunday.

Sunday will also be the finals of the National Council Auditions at the Met at 3:00 PM ET/12:00 PM PT.

Monday begins Week 62 at the Met where the theme is Unhinged Mad Scenes. The first production being streamed is the 2006-2007 season production of Bellini’s I Puritani with Anna Netrebko.

There are just two weeks left to see Sutton Foster’s Bring Me to Light. You can find details in our preview here.

There you have a jam-packed list of Best Bets: May 14th – May 17th.

Enjoy your weekend and enjoy the shows!

Photo: Renée Elise Goldsberry (Photo by Justin Bettman/Courtesy MCC Theater)

The post Best Bets: May 14th – May 17th appeared first on Cultural Attaché.

The shows range from topical dramas exploring current events to the first of December holiday events to a salute to Broadway and some outstanding jazz. Of course, there’s more than that, too.

Our weekend’s top pick is Jason Moran and The Bandwagon performing at the Village Vanguard in New York as they do every Thanksgiving weekend.

So here are your Thanksgiving Weekend Best Bets:

Until the Flood – Center Theatre Group Digital Stage – Now

The Kirk Douglas Theatre began this year with Dael Orlandersmith’s one-person show Until the Flood. The Center Theatre Group has teamed up with theaters around the country to make a film of Until the Flood available for viewing.

In her show, Orlandersmith looks at how the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson impacts the Black and white members of the community and how they processed this tragedy.

The film is from the Rattlestick Playwrights Theatre in New York. They, along with Center Theatre Group and the following theaters, are making Until the Flood available: A Contemporary Theatre—Seattle, Washington; DCPA Theater—Denver, Colorado; The Goodman Theatre—Chicago, Illinois; Milwaukee Repertory Theater—Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Portland Center Stage—Portland, Oregon and Repertory Theater of St. Louis—St. Louis, Missouri (who commissioned and produced the play).

There is no charge to watch Until the Flood.

Holiday on Strings! – Playhouse Live – Now – January 3rd

Playhouse Live now has their third Bob Baker Marionette Theatre show. Like the previous Halloween-themed show in October, this classic show is timed for holidays – the winter ones!

A wizard takes Demetrius Nova Twinklestar III on a whirlwind tour of the holiday galaxies. Amongst the locations on their itinerary are Santa’s workshop, the world of Charles Dickens (author of A Christmas Carol), a Hannukah celebration, a visit from a certain reindeer with a red nose and some charming and endearing North Pole animals.

Holiday on Strings! was filmed in front of a live audience (no doubt pre-pandemic). The rental fee is $14.99.

On a separate note, the Bob Baker Marionette Theatre is facing possible closure. The theatre was established in 1963 and has provided millions of children and adults countless hours of pleasure (myself included in grade school and later again as an adult). They recently moved out of their long-time location into a new space in Highland Park. If you are interested in reading more about BBMT and/or making donation, please go here.

The Last Five Years – Broadway on Demand – November 26th – November 29th

The Jason Robert Brown musical that follows the life of a relationship between a writer and his wife going, literally, in opposite directions, is being presented in a performance filmed live at Southwark Playhouse this weekend.

If you don’t know this wonderful musical, Cathy (Molly Lynch) tells the story of their relationship in reverse starting at the end and moving towards when they first met. Jamie (Oli Higginson) tells the story chronologically from the moment when they first locked eyes through to its end. As a result, the two only meet in the middle of the story.

In Jonathan O’Boyle’s production, each performer plays accompaniment on the piano when the other is singing. The cast is supported by a four-piece band.

Ava Wong Davies, in her review for The Independent, said of this conceit, “It’s an ostensibly simple trick, but one which pays dividends. O’Boyle extracts a seam of melancholy from the piece which undercuts even the most ebullient numbers – there’s a pearly beauty to the golden days of their early courtship. After all, relationships are filled with ghostliness, even when you’re in them – that creeping, niggling sense that you will never fully understand the other person, the feeling of a partner morphing out of a familiar shape into something unrecognisable. 

Tickets are $17.90 (which includes the service charge).

Nutcracker Online – SF Ballet – November 27th – December 31st

It’s that time of year and our first Nutcracker is available starting on Friday. San Francisco Ballet’s 2008 production will be available for streaming throughout the holidays.

Though a staple of ballet companies around the world, The Nutcracker was not considered a success when it debuted in St. Petersburg in 1892. In fact, it wasn’t until the 1960s that it became embraced.

In the ballet, Clara is enamored with a nutcracker that her godfather has brought to a Christmas eve celebration. Others aren’t so interested and Fritz actually breaks the nutcracker. After all the guests have left for the evening – and just as midnight strikes – Clara checks in on the broken nutcracker. That’s when the world of toys, mice, fairies, Christmas trees and her beloved nutcracker come to magical life.

The music was written by Pyotr Illyich Tchaikovsky.

This production was choreographed by Helgi Tomasson. The company features Elizabeth Powell as Clara, Yuan Yuan Tan as the Snow Queen, Pierre-François Vilanoba as the Snow King, Vanessa Zahorian as the Sugar Plum Fairy with the grand pas de deux danced by Maria Kochetkova and Davit Karapetyan.

Tickets are $49 and allow viewing for 48 hours. There are also interactive components included. Tickets are available here.

Jeremy Pelt & Jeb Patton – Mezzrow – November 27th

Jazz trumpeter Jeremy Pelt and pianist Jeb Patton will perform two sets from Mezzrow in New York on Friday, November 27th. The first set is at 7:00 PM EST/4:00 PM EST with the second set at 8:30 PM EST/5:30 PM PST.

Pelt’s album The Art of Intimacy, Vol. 1 is one of my favorite albums of the year. Hopefully the title implies a second volume will be forthcoming.

Patton cut his professional teeth playing with saxophonist Jimmy Heath. His most recent album is 2019’s Songs of the Saxophone.

There’s no charge to watch the performances. Mezzrow does make reserved Sponsor Seats available for each set priced at $40.

Jason Moran and The Bandwagon – Village Vanguard – November 27th – November 28th

If you’ve read any of my coverage of jazz musicians, you are well aware of how much I respect and enjoy pianist/composer Jason Moran. One of my favorite ways of enjoying his music is with his ensemble The Bandwagon.

Moran has been performing with bassist Taurus Mateen and drummer Nasheet Waits for over twenty years.

Their first recording together was 2000’s Facing Left. Three years later he officially titled an album The Bandwagon and it found the trio performing live at the Village Vanguard.

They return to New York’s legendary jazz club this weekend for two performances – as they usually do each Thanksgiving weekend.

If you are wondering why you can’t find new releases on streaming services, it is because Moran has been releasing his new material independently. 2018’s Looks of a Lot is his most recent release with The Bandwagon.

Tickets are only $10 for each of these performances.

Gregory Porter – SFJAZZ – November 27th – 8:00 PM PST/5:00 PM PST

This week’s Fridays at Five concert from SFJAZZ finds singer Gregory Porter performing in a concert from August 2019.

At the time of this concert Porter was supporting his album, Nat “King” Cole & Me and was working on his 2020 album, All Rise.

Porter’s silky smooth baritone voice works magic on classic material and he has the ability to skillfully blend jazz and soul. He has two Grammy awards – both for jazz albums – and received his seventh nomination earlier this week for All Rise in the category of Best R&B Album.

SFJAZZ’s Fridays at Five concerts only stream once at 8:00 PM EST/5:00 PM PST. (Or happy hour as we call it on the West Coast.) You must have either a one-month membership ($5) or an annual membership ($60) to view the shows.

The Prestidigitalist – November 27th – 10:00 PM EST/7:00 PM PST

International magician David Goldrake has developed a streaming magic show that takes many of the illusions that have made him an international star and Las Vegas headliner and combined them with newly created illusions to form the basis for his show The Prestidigitalist.

Your first question might be, what’s a prestidigitalist?

Honestly, it’s not a real word. It’s something Goldrake made up combining prestidigitation (nimble fingers) and digital (reflecting the way the world is enjoying entertainment these days).

I’ve seen Goldrake perform many times. Most of the performances I saw were at the Magic Castle. I also saw his Las Vegas show, Imaginarium. Earlier this year I was invited to see a workshop production of the show that became The Prestidigitalist.

While I haven’t seen the show as it currently stands, I know he’s quite talented and a truly engaging performer.

Tickets are $25 and the show is presented via Zoom. If you are unable to see The Prestidigitalist this weekend, there is another performance on December 11th.

Lea Salonga in Concert – Great Performances on PBS – check local listings

Tony Award-winner Lea Salonga performs a ninety-minute concert from the Sydney Opera House on PBS’ Great Performances.

Salonga made her Broadway debut as the ill-fated Kim in the musical Miss Saigon. It was for that performance that she earned her Tony Award.

Additional Broadway credits include Les Misérables, Flower Drum Song, Allegiance and the recent revival of Once on This Island.

The concert will include songs from several of these shows, if not necessarily exclusively songs she performed in them. Salonga will also perform songs from Mulan and Aladdin.

Concurrent with this concert on Great Performances, Salonga is releasing a recording of the full concert on November 27th on Broadway Records.

L’Elisir d’Amore – San Francisco Opera – November 28th – November 29th

Conducted by Bruno Campanella; starring Ramón Vargas, Inva Mula, Giorgio Caoduro, Alessandro Corbelli and Ji Young Yang. This James Robinson production is from the 2008-2009 season.

Donizetti’s L’Elisir d’Amore (“The Elixir of Love”) had its world premiere in Milan in 1832. The libretto by Felice Romani. L’Elisir d’Amore was inspired by Eugène Scribe’s libretto for Daniel Auber’s Le philtre.

In this opera, Adina and Nemorino are the couple at the center of the story. Nemorino is madly in love with Adina, but she toys with his love. In an act of desperation he purchases an “elixir” that he believes will make her fall in love with him. He pretends not to love her anymore which leads, of course, to the planning of their wedding. But will it take place? It’s a comic opera, of course it will!

Joshua Kosman, in his San Francisco Chronicle review, said one performance stood out. “…tenor Ramón Vargas gave a ravishing performance as Nemorino – his tone bright and fluid, his technique effortlessly precise and his comic presence winning but unobtrusive.

“Practiced hands know to look forward to ‘Una furtiva lagrima,’ the lyrical showpiece that Nemorino sings shortly before the final curtain, and Vargas’ rendition didn’t disappoint – it was marked by lustrous sound and generous, arching phrases, as well as a dazzlingly long-held approach to the final cadence.”

A Toast to Broadway – The Ridgefield Playhouse – November 28th – 8:00 PM EST/5:00 PM PST

Connecticut’s The Ridgefield Playhouse is throwing a party that fans of musicals will want to see. A Toast to Broadway finds nearly 20 performers coming together to celebrate the Great White Way.

Tony Award winners Stephen Schwartz (Isabel Stevenson Award), Debbie Gravitte (Jerome Robbins’ Broadway) and Harvey Fierstein (Hairspray, Torch Song Trilogy) will be joined by Kelli Barrett (Rock of Ages), Ann Hampton Callaway (Tony nominee for Swing!), Sam Gravitte (Wicked), Morgan James (Postmodern Jukebox), LaKisha Jones (The Color Purple), Mark Kopitzke (Thoroughly Modern Millie), Jesse Leprotto (Newsies), Alli Mauzey (Wicked), Bryce Pinkham (A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder) Seth Rudetsky, Jarrod Spector (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical), Scarlett Strallen (Mary Poppins) and Julius Thomas III (Hamilton).

Tickets are $35 with a portion of the proceeds going to The Actors Fund.

Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol – On the Stage – November 28th – January 3rd

One of the best and most thrilling evenings of theatre I had in 2018 was seeing Tony Award winner Jefferson Mays (I Am My Own Wife, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder) in a one-man version of Charles Dickens’ classic holiday story, A Christmas Carol.

This was riveting theatre that found Mays giving one of his finest performances ever.

He was cloaked in a production that was exciting and creative from director Michael Arden (Once on This Island). Mays, Arden and Susan Lyons adapted the story.

On the Stage will stream the show throughout the holidays. This is a newly filmed performance of A Christmas Carol. The runtime is 91 minutes. Tickets are $50 with an additional $7.50 in service charges. Your ticket allows you to watch the show for 24 hours.

Multiple theaters around the country are participating in A Christmas Carol. As the show was originally developed and produced at the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles, the link in the title goes to their website.

For One Knight Only – Acting for Others – November 29th – 2:00 PM EST/11:00 AM PST

You have to be either a Knight or a Dame to be part of For One Knight Only. Thankfully the line-up of talent for this one-night only show (it is originating from England) includes two dames and three knights.

Kenneth Branagh, Judi Dench, Derek Jacobi, Ian McKellan and Maggie Smith will come together for 90 minutes of storytelling, conversation and conviviality.

For One Knight Only is a fundraiser for Acting for Others which is providing support to out of work professionals involved with the performing arts in the United Kingdom.

The good thing is you don’t need to be a knight or dame to watch the show. Everyone is invited. Tickets are £45 which equates to approximately $60.

Patti Murin and Colin Donnell – Seth Rudetsky Concert Series – November 29th – 8:00 PM EST/5:00 PM PST

We’ve selected shows by Andy Karl and Orfeh and just last week Kelli Barrett and Jarrod Spector. Welcome to another Broadway couple: Patti Murin and Colin Donnell.

Murin is best known for originating the role of Anna in the Broadway version of Frozen.

She made her Broadway debut in another film-turned-Broadway musical, Xanadu. She also originated the title role in 2011’s Lysistrata Jones.

Donnell made his Broadway debut in Jersey Boys. He was Billy Crocker in the Tony Award-winning 2011 revival of Cole Porter’s Anything Goes. His chemistry with Sutton Foster was so good in that show that he also appeared with her in the 2014 production of the musical Violet.

But his best chemistry is with Murin. They were married in 2015.

They are the headliners in this weekend’s Seth Concert Series from Seth Rudetsky (who joins as accompanist and host).

Tickets are $28.50 (which includes service charges). The concert is expected to run 90 minutes. If you cannot see the concert live on Sunday, there will be an encore streaming on Monday, November 30th at 3:00 PM EST/12:00 PM PST. The show will then be available on demand for a couple weeks.

Are you stuffed with all the Thanksgiving Weekend Best Bets you can handle? I hope not, because I have a few reminders of what else is available for your viewing pleasure.

There is another opportunity to see Ute Lemper’s Rendezvous with Marlene on Wednesday, November 25th at 8:00 PM EST/5:00 PM PST.

All three plays that make up The Greek Trilogy of Luis Alfaro are available for streaming from Center Theatre Group. The plays are Oedipus El Rey, Mojada and Electricidad.

All episodes of the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s Sound/Stage series remain available for viewing. Their shows include classical music, jazz, R&B and rock. Amongst the performers are J’nai Bridges, Andra Day, Jean-Yves Thibaudet and Kamasi Washington. Gustavo Dudamel hosts all episodes and conducts most of the shows.

The theme at the Metropolitan Opera this week is family drama. So if you aren’t having enough drama at home, be sure to check out the operas available through Sunday.

That’s our complete list of Thanksgiving Weekend Best Bets.

I wish you, your friends and families the best possible weekend. Stay safe. Stay healthy. Enjoy the culture!

Photo: Jason Moran and The Bandwagon (Courtesy jasonmoran.com)

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