Submitted by the Orcas Center.
Running from now until June, you can view a diverse sampling of the world’s best performers at the height of their careers in productions from The Met: Live in HD and National Theatre Live at Orcas Center. These on-screen events give you the best seat in the house from the comfort of your own island. Coming up in January are “Andrea Chènier,” “The Fifth Step,” “I Puritani” and “Hamlet.”
Met Live in HD, “Andrea Chènier”: Tuesday, Jan. 13 at 7 p.m. Giordano’s passionate tragedy stars tenor Piotr Beczała as the virtuous poet who falls victim to the intrigue and violence of the French Revolution. Following their celebrated recent partnership in Giordano’s Fedora in the 2022–23 Live in HD season, Beczała reunites with soprano Sonya Yoncheva as Chénier’s aristocratic lover, Maddalena di Coigny, with baritone Igor Golovatenko as Carlo Gérard, the agent of the Reign of Terror who seals their fates. Met Principal Guest Conductor Daniele Rustioni takes the podium to lead Nicolas Joël’s gripping staging, which will be transmitted live from the Met stage to cinemas. This live cinema transmission is part of the Met’s award-winning Live in HD series, bringing opera to movie theaters across the globe.
National Theatre Live, “The Fifth Step”: Friday, Jan. 16 at 7 p.m. Olivier Award-winner Jack Lowden (“Slow Horses,” “Dunkirk”) is joined by Emmy and BAFTA-winner Martin Freeman (“The Hobbit,” “The Responder”) in the critically acclaimed and subversively funny new play by David Ireland. After years in the 12-step program of Alcoholics Anonymous, James becomes a sponsor to newcomer Luka. The pair bond over black coffee, trade stories and build a fragile friendship out of their shared experiences. But as Luka approaches step five — the moment of confession — dangerous truths emerge, threatening the trust on which both of their recoveries depend.
Met Live in HD, “I Puritani”: Tuesday, Jan. 20 at 1 p.m. For gorgeous melody, spellbinding coloratura and virtuoso vocal fireworks, “I Puritani” has few equals. This is the first new Met production of Bellini’s final masterpiece in nearly 50 years — a striking staging by Charles Edwards, who makes his company directorial debut after many successes as a set designer. The Met has assembled a world-beating quartet of stars, conducted by Marco Armiliato, for the demanding principal roles.
National Theatre Live, “Hamlet”: Friday, Jan. 23 at 7 p.m. Something is rotten in the state of Denmark. Are you watching closely? Trapped between duty and doubt, surrounded by power and privilege, young Prince Hamlet dares to ask the ultimate question — you know the one. Olivier Award-winner Hiran Abeysekera (“The Father and the Assassin,” “Life of Pi”) is Hamlet in this fearless, contemporary take on Shakespeare’s famous tragedy.
Ticket prices range from $12-$65 with an additional $2 ticketing fee. Tickets are available online at www.OrcasCenter.org, by phone at 360-376-2281 ext. 100 or in person at the box office an hour prior to the performance.
