Episode 1
Episode 1
9.0 / 10
Episode credits
Guest stars Susan Larson, James Maddalena, Sanford Sylvan
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 19 episodes
Choose an episode, then use the watch options above for the show.
Where to watch Great Performances
Episode 2
Episode 2
3.7 / 10
Episode credits
Guest stars MacIntyre Dixon, Peter Francis James, Dana Ivey, Brian Murray, Josef Sommer, Michael Cumpsty, Diane Venora, Kevin Kline
Episode 3
Episode 3
8.0 / 10
Episode credits
Guest stars Sanford Sylvan, Jeanne Ommerlé, James Maddalena
Episode 4
Music by Richard Rodgers
1h 10m
Life and work of American composer Richard Rodgers, whose work, in collaboration with Lorenz Hart, Oscar Hammerstein II, and others, gave the world dozens of the greatest musical theater successes. motion picture soundtracks and songs of the 20th century. Interviews with family and friends, artists who worked with him, home movies. Excerpts from many film and television productions featuring his work, including "Oklahoma!', "South Pacific", "The Sound of Music", "The King and I", "Carousel", "Pal Joey", "Cinderella", "Hallelujah, I'm a Bum", "Love Me Tonight", "I Married an Angel", "Babes in Arms".
Episode credits
Guest stars George Abbott, Martin Charnin, Joan Copeland, Marvin Hamlisch, Shirley Jones, Richard Kiley, Jerry Herman, Betty Comden
Episode 6
Episode 6
finale
Episode credits
Guest stars Debbie Allen, Roberta Flack, Jay Hoggard, Bobbi Humphrey, Samuel L. Jackson, Spike Lee, Branford Marsalis, Hugh Masekela
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
