Great Performances
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Screen for YOUR familyParent's Guide to Great Performances
Great Performances (1971) is a long-running American anthology television series on PBS, dedicated to showcasing a diverse range of performing arts from around the world. It features televised productions of plays, musicals, opera, ballet, concerts, and occasional documentaries, bringing high-quality cultural content to a broad audience. The series has run for over 50 seasons, presenting both timeless classics and innovative contemporary works. Due to its anthology format, the content varies significantly across individual productions, encompassing a wide spectrum of themes, artistic styles, and emotional intensity. It serves as a significant platform for cultural enrichment and education, making acclaimed performances accessible to viewers who might not otherwise experience them live.
Things to Consider
Violence
Many theatrical and operatic productions featured on 'Great Performances' inherently contain significant violence, including graphic depictions of murder, battle, and tragic deaths, consistent with classic dramatic narratives.
1. In 'Macbeth,' a 2010 production aired on 'Great Performances,' the witches are depicted 'killing a soldier and taking out his heart.' The play itself is filled with violent imagery, from battlefield scenes to brutal murders driven by Macbeth's quest for power. 2. The opera 'Carmen,' often featured as part of 'Great Performances at the Met,' culminates in Don José murdering Carmen out of jealousy, often depicting graphic domestic violence and sexual assault in modern productions.
Romance and Sexual Content
Content in 'Great Performances' can range from classical romantic ballets to operas with explicit sexual themes, including depictions of seduction, infidelity, and implied or graphic sexual acts.
Witchcraft & Occult
The series includes adaptations of classic works that feature prominent supernatural and occult elements, such as witches, prophecies, and ghostly figures central to the plot and atmosphere.
Scary & Intense Content
Many productions, especially classical tragedies, operas, and ballets, contain deeply intense and frightening themes, including madness, death, psychological torment, and supernatural horror.
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Additional Context
Best For Ages
Parental Guidance Strongly Suggested (Ages 14+ with discretion for specific content, Mature Audience for some productions). Due to the anthology nature of 'Great Performances,' content varies widely by individual production. While many performances are suitable for general audiences, others, particularly operas, classical dramas, and modern theatrical works, can contain mature themes, violence, sexual content, and strong language that are more appropriate for older teens and adults. Parents should review specific episode guides and content warnings for each performance before viewing with younger children.
Good to Know
Given its anthology format, 'Great Performances' does not have consistent content across all its productions. Parents are strongly advised to check specific program descriptions and any available content advisories for individual episodes or performances before deciding if they are suitable for their family, as themes and intensity can vary dramatically. The content descriptors 'V' (Violence), 'S' (Sexual situations), 'L' (Coarse language), and 'D' (Suggestive dialogue) are commonly used in TV ratings and should be considered. PBS's commitment to arts education means many performances offer rich discussion opportunities for mature audiences.
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