© 2026 New England Public Media

FCC public inspection files:
WGBY • WFCR • WNNZ • WNNU • WNNZ-FM • WNNI

For assistance accessing our public files, please contact hello@nepm.org or call 413-781-2801.
PBS, NPR and local perspective for western Mass.
Donate
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Great Performances

A New Home for Shakespeare in Central Park

Season 53 Episode 4 | 11m 59s

Go backstage at the newly revitalized Delacorte Theater in Central Park, home to Free Shakespeare in the Park. Patrick Willingham (Executive Director of The Public Theater) traces the theater's legacy from Joseph Papp's founding mission to the reopening production of "Twelfth Night."

Major series funding for GREAT PERFORMANCES is provided by The Joseph & Robert Cornell Memorial Foundation, the Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Arts Fund, the LuEsther T. Mertz Charitable Trust, Sue and Edgar Wachenheim III, Jody and John Arnhold, the Abra Prentice Foundation, The Starr Foundation, The Philip and Janice Levin Foundation, the Kate W. Cassidy Foundation, the Thea Petschek Iervolino Foundation, Seton J. Melvin, the Estate of Worthington Mayo-Smith, the Jack Lawrence Charitable Remainder Trust Worchell Lawrence, and Ellen and James S. Marcus.
Extra
Watch • 2:29
American Masters
W.E.B. Du Bois: Rebel With A Cause
Explore the life and legacy of notable Black scholar and civil rights pioneer W.E.B. Du Bois.
Preview: S40 E4 | 2:29
Watch • 0:30
NOVA
Return to the Moon Preview
Follow the Artemis mission to bring humanity back to the Moon for the first time since Apollo.
Preview: S53 E7 | 0:30
Watch • 0:30
NOVA
Athens: Birth of Democracy Preview
Archaeologists investigate the dramatic origins of democracy in ancient Greece 2,500 years ago.
Preview: S53 E8 | 0:30
Watch • 0:30
Independent Lens
Backside: The Unseen Hands of Horse Racing | Trailer
Unseen immigrant workers keep the Kentucky Derby running.
Preview: S27 E9 | 0:30
Watch • 0:30
Nature
Preview of Becoming Elephant: The Orphans of Reteti: Baby Steps
In northern Kenya, a remarkable conservation experiment is unfolding at Reteti Sanctuary.
Preview: S44 E11 | 0:30
Watch • 0:30
Independent Lens
The Tallest Dwarf | Trailer
Follow filmmaker Julie Forrest Wyman as she searches for her place in the little people community.
Preview: S27 E8 | 0:30
Watch • 2:39
Antiques Roadshow
Appraisal: Jules Jürgensen Pocket Watch with Gold Chain, ca. 1885
Appraisal: Jules Jürgensen Pocket Watch with Gold Chain, ca. 1885
Clip: S30 E11 | 2:39
Watch • 3:38
Antiques Roadshow
Appraisal: John Bailey Dwarf Clock, ca. 1800
Appraisal: John Bailey Dwarf Clock, ca. 1800
Clip: S30 E11 | 3:38
Watch • 3:11
Antiques Roadshow
Appraisal: 1864 Lincoln & Johnson Campaign Flag
Appraisal: 1864 Lincoln & Johnson Campaign Flag
Clip: S30 E11 | 3:11
Watch • 3:46
Antiques Roadshow
Appraisal: 2004 Edward Dwurnik "Kraków" Acrylic Cityscape
Appraisal: 2004 Edward Dwurnik "Kraków" Acrylic Cityscape
Clip: S30 E11 | 3:46
Latest Episodes
All
  • All
  • Great Performances Season 53
  • Great Performances Season 52
  • Great Performances Season 51
  • Great Performances Season 50
  • Great Performances Season 49
  • Great Performances Season 48
  • Great Performances Season 47
  • Great Performances Season 46
  • Great Performances Season 45
  • Great Performances Season 44
  • Great Performances Season 43
  • Great Performances Season 42
  • Great Performances Season 41
  • Great Performances Season 40
  • Great Performances Season 39
  • Great Performances Season 38
  • Great Performances Season 37
  • Great Performances Season 36
  • Great Performances Season 35
Great Performances
Great Performances at the Met: The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay
In this adaptation of Michael Chabon’s novel, two Jewish cousins invent an anti-fascist superhero.
Episode: S53 E10
Watch • 2:22:57
Great Performances
Great Performances at the Met: La Bohème
Experience Zeffirelli’s beloved production set in 19th-century Paris.
Episode: S53 E9 | 2:22:57
Watch • 54:45
Great Performances
Samara Joy at Royal Albert Hall
Samara Joy makes her much-anticipated debut at London’s legendary Royal Albert Hall.
Episode: S53 E8 | 54:45
Watch • 1:54:25
Great Performances
Movies for Grownups® Awards 2026 with AARP
AARP’s Movies for Grownups hosted by Alan Cumming.
Episode: S53 E7 | 1:54:25
Watch • 1:25:09
Great Performances
From Vienna: The New Year’s Celebration 2026
Ring in 2026 with the famed orchestra conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin hosted by Hugh Bonneville.
Episode: S53 E6 | 1:25:09
Watch • 1:22:59
Great Performances
Nutcracker from English National Ballet
Experience the holiday classic in a new light.
Episode: S53 E5 | 1:22:59
Watch • 1:52:43
Great Performances
Twelfth Night
The Shakespearean comedy of mistaken identity tells the misadventures of Sebastian and Viola.
Episode: S53 E4 | 1:52:43
Watch • 54:55
Great Performances
Tiler Peck: Suspending Time
Follow prima ballerina Tiler Peck as she overcomes injury and pursues a new career as choreographer.
Episode: S53 E3 | 54:55
Watch • 2:42:21
Great Performances
Great Performances at the Met: Il Barbiere di Siviglia
Rossini’s effervescent comedy retakes the stage in Bartlett Sher’s madcap production.
Episode: S53 E2 | 2:42:21
Watch • 53:55
Great Performances
The Magic of Grace Bumbry
Discover Grace Bumbry’s inspiring rise to global opera fame.
Episode: S53 E1 | 53:55