Episode 1
Ellington: The Music Lives On
9.0 / 10
Episode credits
Guest stars Karen Akers, André De Shields, Tammy Grimes, Carly Simon, Treat Williams, Patti LaBelle, Kathleen Battle
TV series
Great Performances
1971TV-1453 seasons6.1 / 10
The best in the performing arts from across America and around the world including a diverse programming portfolio of classical music, opera, popular song, musical theater, dance, drama, and performance documentaries.
Streaming, rental and purchase options
Where to watch in United States
Checked Sep 1, 2026
Great Performances is available to stream on DirecTV On Demand and YouTube TV in United States. Use the direct links below to open the provider.
Synopsis
The best in the performing arts from across America and around the world including a diverse programming portfolio of classical music, opera, popular song, musical theater, dance, drama, and performance documentaries.
Season 12 episodes
Choose an episode, then use the watch options above for the show.
Where to watch Great Performances
Episode 2
Episode 2
8.0 / 10
Episode credits
Guest stars Craig Wasson, Brooke Adams, David Ogden Stiers, Gigi Proietti, Barry Morse, Andréa Ferréol, Jess Hahn, Gianni Bonagura
Episode 3
Alice in Wonderland
8.0 / 10
Episode credits
Directed by Kirk BrowningGuest stars Eve Arden, Kaye Ballard, Kate Burton, Richard Burton, James Coco, André De Shields, Colleen Dewhurst, Andre Gregory
Episode 4
Laurence Olivier: A Life
7.0 / 10finale
A multi-award winning biography covering the life and career of actor/director Laurence Olivier.
Episode credits
Guest stars Laurence Olivier, Melvyn Bragg, Peggy Ashcroft, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Joan Crawford, Joan Plowright, John Osborne, Ralph Richardson
Episode 11
The Best of Broadway
Episode credits
Guest stars Tom Bosley, Len Cariou, Diahann Carroll, Glynis Johns, Angela Lansbury, Robert Morse, Debbie Reynolds, Alexis Smith
Episode information updated Sep 3, 2026
More about Great Performances
Cast
Bray PoorNarrator (voice)
Rue McClanahanFaye PreciousJoyce EbertMrs. Holroyd
Frederick CoffinSecond Guard
Geraldine FitzgeraldMrs.Atkins
Frank LangellaKonstantin Treplev
Charles KimbroughDr.Spiga
Stephen SondheimSelfProduction details
- Status
- Returning Series
- Series type
- Scripted
- Episodes
- 717
- Original language
- English
Networks & production
PBSUnited States
ThirteenUnited States
Themes
anthologybased on novel or bookbased on play or musicalfilmed theaterliterary adaptation
