Great Performances Season 51 Episodes

Episode 1

New York City Ballet in Madrid

Sun, Feb 8, 2026

Episode 4

Message in a Bottle

Fri, Nov 3, 202385 mins

Great Performances presents "Message In A Bottle", featuring the hits of 17-time Grammy-winning artist Sting with choreography by five-time Olivier Award nominee Kate Prince. The dance-theater production from London's Sadler's Wells Theatre tells the story of a family forced to leave their homeland and embark on a perilous journey to freedom. With musical arrangements by Alex Lacamoire (Broadway's "Hamilton," "Dear Evan Hansen"), and a mix of dance styles performed by Kate Prince's ZooNation dance company, Great Performances: "Message In A Bottle" relays a quest for humanity and hope. Recorded in August 2022, the show features Sting's chart-topping hits including "Every Breath You Take," "Roxanne," "Walking On The Moon" and more.

Episode 5

The LA Phil Celebrates Frank Gehry

Sun, Feb 8, 2026

Grammy Award-winning conductor Gustavo Dudamel, Music and Artistic Director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, leads the orchestra in a star-studded concert celebrating the 20th anniversary of Walt Disney Concert Hall with a performance honoring the venue's maverick architect Frank Gehry. With performances by multi-Grammy Award winner and jazz musician Herbie Hancock, dancer and choreographer Lucinda Childs, and five-time Grammy winner H.E.R., the program includes the prelude to Bach's Partita in E, a work titled FOG by former LA Phil music director Esa-Pekka Salonen, Debussy's La Mer, and more.

Episode 6

George Jones: Still Playin' Possum

Sun, Feb 8, 2026

Honoring one of the most influential, storied and beloved country music icons in history, Great Performances - George Jones: Still Playin' Possum is an all-star celebration. Jones' hits including "I Don't Need Your Rockin' Chair," "The Race Is On," "He Stopped Loving Her Today" and many more are performed by Travis Tritt, Tanya Tucker, Brad Paisley, Jelly Roll, Dierks Bentley, Sam Moore, Wynonna, Jamey Johnson, Uncle Kracker, Trace Adkins, Lorrie Morgan, Joe Nichols and other country stars accompanied by a band of Nashville's top players. Recorded April 25, 2023, at from the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, Alabama, the tribute marked the 10th anniversary of Jones' passing.

Episode 7

Making Shakespeare: The First Folio

Fri, Nov 17, 2023

Celebrate the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's First Folio, which saved 18 plays from being lost. The film also spotlights how New York City's Public Theater presents Shakespeare's work for today's audiences.

Episode 8

From Vienna: The New Year's Celebration 2024

Mon, Jan 1, 2024

Celebrate the new year with this beloved annual concert featuring the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra in the Golden Hall of the Musikverein. Hosted for the seventh consecutive year by PBS favorite Hugh Bonneville, the concert will include waltzes and polkas by Johann Strauss II, Josef Strauss, Eduard Strauss as well as favorites by Joseph Hellmesberger, Jr. and others. Guest conducted by three-time Grammy nominee Christian Thielemann and featuring dances choreographed by Davide Bombana with soloists from the Vienna State Ballet.

Episode 14

Now Hear This: Rising Stars

Fri, Apr 12, 2024

Episode 15

Now Hear This: Virtuosos

Fri, Apr 19, 2024

Episode 16

Now Hear This: Old Friends

Fri, Apr 26, 2024

Exploring how virtuosos become maestros and their guiding principles through Scott Yoo's friendships with cellist Yo-Yo Ma, pianist Richard Kogan and violinist Lynn Chang.

Episode 17

Now Hear This: The Composer is Yoo

Fri, May 3, 2024

Episode 19

Hamlet (2023)

Fri, May 10, 2024

From The Public Theater's Free Shakespeare in the Park at The Delacorte Theater in Central Park, experience this Shakespearean classic directed by Tony Award winner Kenny Leon featuring Tony Award nominee Ato Blankson-Wood ("Slave Play") in the title role and Solea Pfeiffer as Ophelia ("Hadestown").

Episode 20

Audra McDonald at the London Palladium

Fri, May 17, 2024

The winner of a record-breaking six Tony Awards as well as two Grammy awards and an Emmy, Audra McDonald performs a repertoire of classic Broadway songs, including "I Am What I Am," "Summertime," "Climb Every Mountain" and many more at the London Palladium.

Episode 21

Purlie Victorious

Fri, May 24, 2024

This revival of the 1961 play "Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch," by the legendary Ossie Davis tells the story of a Black preacher's scheme to reclaim his inheritance and win back his church from a plantation owner.

Episode 22

Rodgers & Hammerstein's 80th Anniversary

Fri, May 31, 2024

Directed and choreographed by Christopher Gattelli, Rodgers and Hammerstein's 80th Anniversary features an all-star cast at London's Theatre Royal Drury Lane, including Michael Ball, Daniel Dae Kim, Maria Friedman, Audra McDonald, Julian Ovenden and more.

Episode 26

Vienna Philharmonic Summer Night Concert 2024

Fri, Aug 23, 202468 mins

Vienna Philharmonic performs an open-air concert conducted by Andris Nelsons and featuring opera singer Lise Davidsen.