Ruth Leon recommends… PBS Theatre Programmes in May
Ruth Leon recommendsPBS Theatre Programmes in May
Click on PBS.org to find your local station
For readers in the US, and for those who can access the PBS app, PBS will be broadcasting a theatre-related programme every Friday in May. None of these are accessible outside the US unless you’re a PBS subscriber. I am, and it still took me ages and much patience to navigate the PBS website which is as inaccessible as Fort Knox, but do try if you are in the US or have app access because it’s a good month for the arts on PBS.
On May 10 at 9pm ET it will be last summer’s Free Shakespeare in the Park production ofHamletstarring Ato Blnkson-Wood as the conflicted prince, directed by Kenny Leon (sadly, no relation).
On May 24th there’s the Broadway revival of Purlie Victorious starring Leslie Odom, Jr also directed by Kenny Leon (still, no relation).
On May 31st, the 80th Anniversary Celebration of Rodgers & Hammerstein, filmed in London at Drury Lane will be broadcast on PBS.
PBS will enjoy the same fate as the BBC. You might want to binge watch what you like while you can.
Does PBS not celebrate May 17?
I do not quite consider much of this set of performances “theatre. The Hamlet qualifies. The rest are shows. “Theatre” implies to me plays. These broadcasts are not designed to draw theatre-lovers to PBS. They probably would not dare these days.