Friday nights just got a lot more exciting this fall. Instead of braving the blustery season, it’s much easier to stay at home and cuddle up while watching the PBS Fall Festival from Oct. 21 through Dec. 23.
Fans of art and music should be excited for this year’s lineup: Lin-Manuel Miranda will be hosting the series every Friday for eight weeks.
Miranda just finished a run as the titular character in “Hamilton,” a Broadway smash that garnered an impressive amount of Tony wins. Miranda also recently hosted “Saturday Night Live” for the first time, meaning that hosting a long PBS special should be a simple task for this musical titan.
The first special, premiering Oct. 21, will be a backstage look at the making and performance of “Hamilton.” This special is one that both diehard fans and the average spectator is able to appreciate, with a three dimensional look at the creative process that went into the now famous, record-breaking musical.
President Barack Obama, former President George W. Bush and composer and Broadway royalty Stephen Sondheim provide witness interviews along with several others to add a more comprehensive look at the nitty gritty process of getting a show on Broadway.
Other PBS specials showing throughout the festival are also sure to be quite interesting. Bill Murray, Alan Cumming, Lang Lang and Joshua Bell will also have the spotlight, with dance and musical theater performances headlining other episodes.
To celebrate the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death, the Royal Shakespeare Company will give tribute to the Bard through opera, ballet, jazz and musical theater. Actors Judi Dench, Ian McKellen, Helen Mirren, Benedict Cumberbatch and more will celebrate Shakespeare’s life in this festival special.
Alan Cumming is doing one of the most interesting projects, with his cabaret show entitled “Alan Cumming Sings Sappy Songs.” His show premiered in 2015, and since then he has extensively toured parts of the globe and had a sold-out show in Carnegie Hall earlier this year. For those unfamiliar with Cumming, he has received recognition for his roles in “The Good Wife” and the “Spy Kids” trilogy.
This Fall Festival will have different performances to look forward to each weekend. Musical theater, dance, instrumental music and several other interests are all represented in abundance. Furthermore, with episodes spread out over several weeks, viewers can pick and choose what interests them and watch it.