Purlie Victorious Leslie Odom Jr and cast

Great Performances

Arts and Music Series / 6 Seasons

Great Performances brings the best in the performing arts from across America and around the world to a US television audience. It presents a diverse programming portfolio of classical music, opera, popular song, musical theater, dance, drama, and performance documentaries.

Watch Latest: S52 E3

1h 23m / TV-PG

Shakespeare Live! - To Be or Not to Be

59s

British actor Paapa Essiedu and star of the Royal Shakespeare Company's Hamlet gets some unsolicited advice about performing the role. Tim Minchin, Benedict Cumberbatch, David Tennant, Rory Kinnear, Sir Ian McKellen, Dame Judi Dench, and Prince Charles himself all give it a try.

Shakespeare Live!

30s

The star-studded Shakespeare Live! from the Royal Shakespeare Company salutes the Bard across multiple genres. This celebratory event, hosted by David Tennant and Catherine Tate, features Benedict Cumberbatch, Judi Dench, Helen Mirren, Rufus Wainwright, Joseph Fiennes, and many more.

The Hollow Crown: The Wars of the Roses | Henry VI Part 2

30s

Henry IV Part 2 is the second of three parts in The Hollow Crown: The Wars of the Roses. Bitter rivalries erupt into the Wars of the Roses. The feeble King Henry is overshadowed by Queen Margaret and her faction of Lancastrian Lords, his reign further undermined by disaffected nobles supporting the House of York. Battle and bloodshed ensue.

The Hollow Crown: The Wars of the Roses | Full Series

30s

The Hollow Crown: The Wars of the Roses with an all-star cast including Benedict Cumberbatch, Tom Sturridge, Sophie Okonedo, Keeley Hawes, Hugh Bonneville, Judi Dench & Michael Gambon. It airs on three consecutive Sundays beginning December 11 at 9 p.m. and picks up the story with epic film versions of Henry VI (in two parts) and Richard III.

The Hollow Crown: The Wars of the Roses | Henry VI Part 1

30s

Henry IV Part 1 is the first of three parts in The Hollow Crown: The Wars of the Roses. The King is dead and England is in crisis. War rages with the French and divisions within the English court threaten the crown. Young Henry VI causes outrage by marrying Margaret of Anjou, forcing an unwanted truce; the scene is set for Civil War.

Henry VI Part I - Battle Scene

1m 38s

The King is dead and England is in crisis. War rages with the French and divisions within the English court threaten the crown. Young Henry VI (Tom Sturridge) causes outrage by marrying Margaret of Anjou, forcing an unwanted truce. This sets the scene for Civil War.

The Arrest of the Duchess | Henry VI Part 1

1m 40s

The Duke of Gloucester's wife, the Duchess of Gloucester, believes that she has the right to the throne. She is arrested after hiring a witch to summon spirits and ask about the future of Henry VI's reign. Gloucester grieves for her, but asserts that he cannot control the law. The Duke is released from his duties as King Henry's protector.

Behind the Scenes of The Hollow Crown: The War of the Roses

2m 30s

PBS talks with the cast and director of The Hollow Crown: The Wars of the Roses, a lavish three-part follow-up to the BAFTA winning The Hollow Crown. The Wars of the Roses, which picks up the story with epic film versions of Henry VI (in two parts) and Richard III, comes to Great Performances on three consecutive Sundays -- beginning December 11 at 9 p.m.

The Hollow Crown: The Wars of the Roses - Preview

1m 24s

Following the huge international success of the four-part miniseries The Hollow Crown, The Wars of the Roses will continue the epic saga with three more lavish film adaptations: Parts I and II of Henry VI and Richard III.

Let Me Entertain You - Louise as Gypsy Rose Lee

2m 54s

Louise (Lara Pulver) performs “Let Me Entertain You” in Gypsy. Jonathan Kent’s award-winning production of the classic musical Gypsy – a record-breaking sellout during its acclaimed London run – comes to THIRTEEN’s Great Performances as part of the PBS Arts Fall Festival.

Together, Wherever We Go - Momma Rose, Herbie, Louise

2m 18s

Momma Rose, Herbie and Louise perform "Together, Wherever We Go" in Gypsy. Jonathan Kent’s award-winning production of the classic musical Gypsy – a record-breaking sellout during its acclaimed London run – comes to THIRTEEN’s Great Performances as part of the PBS Arts Fall Festival.

Some People - Momma Rose

2m 50s

Momma Rose Imelda Staunton) performs "Some People" in Gypsy. Jonathan Kent’s award-winning production of the classic musical Gypsy – a record-breaking sellout during its acclaimed London run – comes to THIRTEEN’s Great Performances as part of the PBS Arts Fall Festival.

Let Me Entertain You - Baby June and Her Newsboys

2m 7s

Baby June (Scarlet Roche) and company perform "Baby June and Her Newsboys." Jonathan Kent’s award-winning production of the classic musical Gypsy – a record-breaking sellout during its acclaimed London run – comes to THIRTEEN’s Great Performances as part of the PBS Arts Fall Festival.

PBS Arts Fall Festival: Gypsy

30s

Jonathan Kent’s award-winning production of the classic musical Gypsy – a record-breaking sellout during its acclaimed London run – comes to THIRTEEN’s Great Performances, Friday, November 11 at 9 p.m. on PBS on the PBS Arts Fall Festival. (Check local listings.)

The Room Where it Happens

1m 1s

Lin-Manuel Miranda, Leslie Odom Jr., and two former U.S. Secretaries of the Treasury discuss Alexander Hamilton's famous financial deal in this clip from Hamilton’s America. This documentary film brings history to vivid life through the lens of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s pop culture Broadway phenomenon Hamilton.

Phillipa Soo on Eliza Schuyler

38s

Phillipa Soo, who plays Eliza Schuyler in Hamilton, discusses her character in this clip from Hamilton’s America - the documentary film that brings history to vivid life through the lens of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s pop culture Broadway phenomenon Hamilton.

Christopher Jackson on George Washington

1m 2s

Christopher Jackson, who plays George Washington in Hamilton, discusses his character in this clip from Hamilton’s America - the documentary film that brings history to vivid life through the lens of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s pop culture Broadway phenomenon Hamilton.

Lin-Manuel Miranda on Writing in Aaron Burr's Bedroom

57s

Lin-Manuel Miranda, the creator of Hamilton, wrote part of the musical from a historical site: Aaron Burr's bedroom. Hamilton’s America is a documentary film that brings history to vivid life through the lens of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s pop culture Broadway phenomenon Hamilton.

Hamilton in :60: The Politician

59s

In 1783, Alexander Hamilton retired from the military and began his life as a politician. Hamilton contributed 51 of the 85 Federalist Papers, essays that are still used to interpret the U.S Constitution.

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