There’s no more enduring adage in the world of entertainment than “The show must go on.” So even as California performing arts organizations cope with cancellations of live shows, they have figured out a host of innovative ways to continue to reach audiences around the world.
Whether you’re into ballet or theater, you can stream plays and catch behind-the-scenes looks at what goes into live productions in the state without ever leaving home. (Note: All times mentioned are in PST.)
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Theater Productions
American Conservatory Theater
The esteemed San Francisco theater company has made video performances of two recent shows, Gloria by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins and Lydia R. Diamond’s Toni Stone, available for streaming. To gain access to the videos, you’ll have to purchase tickets. Note that the theater advises viewers to “pay the price that works for you.”
Aurora Theatre Company
This Berkeley theater troupe has won numerous Bay Area Critics Circle awards and is now producing Aurora Connects, a weekly webcast on Fridays at 4 p.m. Hosted by Aurora’s artistic director Josh Costello and associate artistic director Dawn Monique Williams, these salons feature lively, in-depth conversations with actors, designers, and directors about their craft.
Geffen Playhouse
Going from playhouse to “stayhouse,” the Westwood-based theater has launched Theater, At Home, which features new and original clips of performers every Wednesday. Through the Geffen, you can also get free 30-day trial access to BroadwayHD to see the playhouse’s past productions of such plays as Long Day’s Journey Into Night.
La Jolla Playhouse
Theater lovers should definitely check out the La Jolla Playhouse’s The Staging Area page to find details about programs that offer an insider’s look at productions. On Facebook Live, for example, Tony Award–nominated choreographer Kelly Devine and associate choreographer Ricky Hinds recently discussed dances in the playhouse’s production of Come From Away and even offered a session about performing the steps at home.
Skylight Theatre Company
Every week, it’s another online opening and another show when this Los Angeles company premieres a new play created specifically for internet viewing as part of its new Skylight Live series. Recent productions include Eating for the Record by the late Academy Award-nominated screenwriter, director, and actor Buck Henry. Shows are performed live Thursdays at 3 p.m.
Outside Mullingar (Photo by Jordan Kubat/South Coast Repertory)
South Coast Repertory
David Ivers, artistic director of this Tony Award-winning theater based in Costa Mesa, is hosting a weekly video series called At Home With Ivers. Available through South Coast Repertory’s website, as well as its social media feeds, the series has included an extended interview with actor Amy Brenneman, whose play Threshold is scheduled to have its world premiere at the theater in September. South Coast Rep also has plans to make an online version of its production of Outside Mullingar by John Patrick Shanley available for home viewing.
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Dance Performances
L.A. Dance Project
Led by acclaimed artistic director (and husband of Natalie Portman) Benjamin Millepied, the L.A. Dance Project has emerged as the city’s leading dance company. Founded in 2012, it’s fulfilling the promise that inspired British newspaper The Guardian to hail the company as “a future force in dance” in 2016. On the Dance Project’s website, you can watch an extended excerpt from the company’s Brecht, an ambitious solo piece, as well as an assortment of rehearsal clips.
Cigarettes (Photo by Keith Sutter)
Sacramento Ballet
Founded in 1954, the Sacramento Ballet has grown into one of the country’s leading regional dance companies. While there’s nothing like catching one of their productions live, you can at least get some sense of the ballet’s artistry by watching the performance videos on its website, including Cigarettes, a dance theater piece inspired by Patsy Cline’s song “Two Cigarettes in an Ashtray.”
San Francisco Ballet
Go behind the scenes on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 1 p.m. as you watch San Francisco Ballet dancers practicing from their homes in virtual classes led by ballet masters Tina LeBlanc and Felipe Diaz during SF Ballet Company Class Live Streams.
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Comedy Shows
The Laugh Factory
Who couldn’t use a good laugh right about now? The Laugh Factory, which has clubs in Hollywood and Long Beach (and soon in San Diego), rides to the rescue with its livestreams at 2 p.m. Monday–Friday. You’ll also find archived clips from such stand-up luminaries as Dave Chappelle and Tim Allen.
Sacramento Comedy Spot
The Sacramento-based comedy school, the largest in Northern California, is keeping the laughs flowing, thanks to Comedy Spot Live! You can watch both live shows and find past performances. There’s no charge for viewing but the school does encourage donations.
Scott Capurro
Raised in San Francisco, the multi-hyphenated comic-actor-journalist-novelist Scott Capurro has performed around the world, including at the Punch Line in his California hometown. These days he’s appearing live from his Turk Street apartment, and the nightly shows are available on Capurro’s Instagram page.