“The Hours”

The Metropolitan Opera Live in HD:

“The Hours” (Kevin Puts), Libretto by Greg Pierce, will be screened at 12:55 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, at Paul J. Schupf Art Center, 93 Main St., in Waterville.

“The Hours” contains themes of suicide. If you or someone you know is considering self-harm or suicide, help is available from the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988 or visiting 988lifeline.org.

Soprano Renée Fleming makes her return to the Met in the world-premiere production of Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Kevin Puts’s “The Hours,” adapted from Michael Cunningham’s novel. Inspired by Virginia Woolf’s “Mrs. Dalloway” and made a household name by the Oscar-winning 2002 film version starring Meryl Streep, Julianne Moore, and Nicole Kidman, the powerful story follows three women from different eras who each grapple with their inner demons and their roles in society.

The premiere radiates with star power, with soprano Kelli O’Hara and mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato joining Fleming as the opera’s trio of heroines. Phelim McDermott directs this compelling drama, with Met Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin on the podium to conduct Puts’s poignant and powerful score.

Running time is 3 hours, 15 minutes.

Tickets cost $19 for adult, $16 for senior, $17 for students, and $16 for children.

For tickets, or more information, visit watervillecreates.org.

“Much Ado About Nothing”

National Theatre Live:

“Much Ado About Nothing” can be seen at noon Saturday, Jan. 14, at the Paul J. Schupf Art Center, 93 Main St., Waterville.

Katherine Parkinson (“The IT Crowd”) and John Heffernan (“Dracula”) lead the cast in Shakespeare’s rom-com of sun, sea, and mistaken identity.

The legendary family run Hotel Messina on the Italian Riveria has been visited by artists, celebrities, and royalty. But when the owner’s daughter weds a dashing young soldier, not all guests are in the mood for love.

A string of scandalous deceptions soon surrounds not only the young couple but also the adamantly single Beatrice and Benedick.

Following the award-winning success of National Theatre Live’s “Romeo & Juliet,” “Twelfth Night,” and “Antony and Cleopatra,” director Simon Godwin returns with this comedy, broadcast live from the National Theatre stage.

Running time is three hours.

Tickets cost $16 for adults, $13.75 for members, $14.50 for seniors and students, and $13.50 for children.

For tickets, or more information, visit watervillecreates.org.