Best Online Theatre for July
Walter McBride/WireImage
Karolina Stolarczyk
Finally, the time has come! Hamilton’s premiere on Disney+ is only a few days (soon hours!) away, so prepare your watch parties and enjoy. As Lin-Manuel Miranda said, the cameras’ point of view guarantees sights better than those available from the best seats in the house, so I would say this is an event not to be missed.
Even if you have seen the show live, it’s definitely a unique experience: you get to see way more details, some bits that were added after the beginning of the show run (so if you only know the soundtrack you’re in for surprises) and the original cast of the show that is an 11-time Tony Award®, Grammy Award®, Olivier Award, and Pulitzer Prize winner. What’s not to like? As someone from Central Europe, way too far from New York to pay a visit whenever I want, it’s a huge treat to see such a spectacular Broadway show at home.
Hamilton will be available from 3 July on Disney+, a subscription video on-demand streaming service, so a subscription is needed in order to be able to watch it.
But, what else is there to watch after one (or three? or maybe more, I mean, why not?) screenings of Hamilton?
Carousel, called by Time Magazine as the best musical of the 20th century, is a recent adaptation of the Rodgers and Hammerstein’s 1945 classic, starring Kelli O’Hara, who graced our screens recently in The King and I and Peter Pan Live. Both productions definitely had some missteps, but O’Hara is none of those, so her alone (if not catchy songs and nostalgic atmosphere) may lure you into the world of this musical. Other stars are Nathan Gunn and Jesse Mueller – her Mister Snow is one to remember, for sure.
Carousel will be available from 10 July until 8 September on:
http://lincolncenter.org/lincoln-center-at-home/show/rodgers-amp-hammerstein39s-carousel-250
There is also, as per usual nowadays, a play at the National Theatre Live. This time it’s William Shakespeare’s all time classic A Midsummer Night’s Dream with Gwendoline Christie as Titania. It’s fun, it’s clever, it’s praised by reviewers, so why not give it a watch?
A Midsummer Night's Dream is available from Thursday 25 June at 7pm UK time until 11 June at 7pm on:
http://ntlive.nationaltheatre.org.uk/productions/ntlout35-a-midsummer-night-s-dream for free.
Soon after, and also on NTL’s YouTube, there will be a stream of Amadeus, a glorious adaptation of Mozart’s life and his relationship with the ultimate friend/enemy Salieri. Both roles are played impeccably, and I believe it’s safe to say it’s one of NTL’s best productions to date.
Amadeus will be available from 16 July to 23 July on:
https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/shows/nt-at-home-amadeus
During times like these, when theatres keep on being closed, it’s important not to forget about the joys that this industry brings into our lives, so remember to keep an eye on local initiatives, workshops, etc. Some actors, like The Little Mermaid’s and Phantom of the Opera’s Sierra Boggess are very active on their social media, show the audience what it’s like to be an artist during lockdown and invite you to some interesting classes and interviews – so pay attention and enjoy!