ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
ON STAGE
BroadwayHD: CONTINUING THE TRADITION By Sara Wiesenfeld
till missing the joy of Broadway’s bright lights. Of course, they will return in September, but until that time, BroadwayHD brings spectacular productions from the Great White Way, the West End, and beyond into your home. BroadwayHD is the premier streaming service for theater lovers everywhere, available on all your favorite streaming devices, including AppleTV, Roku, Chromecast, and Amazon Firestick. When you head to BroadwayHD.com, you can sign up for a 7-day free trial. It’s as easy as logging on to BroadwayHD.com. Now, let’s check out some of BroadwayHD favorites!
BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN: THE OPERA
THE SLEEPING BEAUTY
Here’s the heart-wrenching tale of ranch hand Ennis del Mar and rodeo cowboy Jack Twist, who meet and fall in love on the fictional Brokeback Mountain in Wyoming in 1963. Based on Annie Proulx’s extraordinary 1997 short story, Brokeback Mountain was subsequently made into an AcademyAward winning film directed by Ang Lee and starring Jake Gyllenhaal and the late Heath Ledger. Composed by master operettist, Charles Wuorinen, this marks one of the ambitious and major works in his long and storied career. Teatro Real’s production is helmed by Tony Award-winning Ivo Van Hove, known for his gritty and ground-breaking direction.
Celebrating 70 years of The Royal Ballet’s landmark production of Petipa’s classic ballet, enter an enchanted world of princesses, fairy godmothers, and magical spells, to glorious music by Tchaikovsky. The masterful score takes ballet music to a height of passion, sophistication, and intensity that arguably has never been surpassed.
GHOSTS
KINKY BOOTS
Ibsen’s Ghosts attracted controversy at its premiere for its scathing commentary on 19th-century societal norms. It deals with subjects such as religion, incest, and euthanasia, and most shockingly at the time, venereal disease. This production, captured by Digital Theatre live at London’s Trafalgar Studios, was directed by Richard Eyre and Stars Lesley Manville, in a highly praised performance, as Helene Alvina. It won three Olivier Awards: Lesley Manville for Best Actress and Jack Lowden for Best Actor in a Supporting role and Best Revival.
Inspired by true events, the Tony, Grammy, and Olivierwinning musical Kinky Boots tells the story of two people with nothing in common—or so they think. Charlie (played by Olivier Award nominee Killian Donnelly) is a factory owner struggling to save his family business. Lola (played by Matt Henry, who won an Olivier Award for the role) is a fabulous entertainer with a wildly exciting idea. With a little compassion and a lot of understanding, the unexpected pair learn to embrace their differences and create a line of sturdy stilettos, unlike any the world has ever seen! With music by the incomparable Cyndi Lauper, Kinky Boots is sure to raise you up!
70 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | JUNE 2021
