Movies

Here are a few of the best events happening on Thursday and how to tune in (all times are Eastern).Scenes From ‘Oedipus Rex’7 p.m. on ZoomOn Thursday, Frances McDormand, Oscar Isaac, John Turturro, Jeffrey Wright, Frankie Faison, David Strathairn and the NYC public advocate Jumaane Williams will read scenes from Sophocles’ ancient tragedy “Oedipus Rex,” about arrogant leadership, ignored prophecy and a plague that ravages the city of Thebes. (Ring any bells? You wouldn’t be alone.) The live event — presented by Theater of War Productions — will be followed by a moderated discussion about the pandemic with audience members.When: 7 p.m.Where: Register here to receive a Zoom link ahead of the event.David Mamet’s ‘November’8 p.m. on YouTubeThe new weekly series “Spotlight on Plays” — presented by Broadway’s Best Shows, a new platform for theatrical content — gets underway on Thursday evening with David Mamet’s “November,” a 2008 comedy about an unpopular president seeking re-election. John Malkovich, Patti LuPone, Dylan Baker, Ethan Phillips and Michael Nichols star. The productions, which will be available only at the designated streaming time, will benefit the Actors Fund. Shows coming later in the series include “Significant Other” with Gideon Glick and “Love Letters” with Bryan Cranston and Sally Field.When: 8 p.m.Where: The Actors Fund YouTube channel and the Broadway’s Best Shows YouTube and Facebook channels.A Discussion Among Boundary-Breaking Women6 p.m. on ZoomBeing brave and giving back in these challenging times. That’s the focus of an interactive discussion titled “UnordinaryWomen, UnordinaryTimes.” Among the nine panelists are Peggy Whitson, a former NASA chief astronaut and the first female commander of the International Space Station; Amy Sherald, a contemporary painter and the first African-American woman to paint the official portrait of a first lady, Michelle Obama; Anne Pasternak, the first woman to lead the Brooklyn Museum; Brittany Packnett Cunningham, co-host of “Pod Save the People”; and Julissa Arce, author of the best-selling book “My (Underground) American Dream.” The event — hosted by the fashion brand Lafayette 148 in support of Girl Rising, a campaign for girls’ education — will be moderated by the journalist Isha Sesay.When: 6 p.m.Where: Register here to receive a Zoom link ahead of the event.Indigo Girls Kick Off Concert SeriesFrom a room in Atlanta, where they will be appropriately socially distanced, the folk-rock duo Indigo Girls will begin a weekly livestream concert and Q. and A. series on Thursday. The format is request-based, so have yours ready. They will also perform songs from their upcoming studio album “Look Long.” The series will run through at least May 21, and the May 14 concert will include an optional donation, with all proceeds going to charity.When: 7 p.m.Where: The Indigo Girls Facebook, Instagram and YouTube pages.Peter Libbey contributed research. More

Here are a few of the best events happening on Wednesday and how to tune in (all times are Eastern).A Moment of Calm with Jewel9 p.m. on ZoomWith gyms, yoga studios and religious centers largely closed in the country, peace and relief from stress may be hard to find. The singer-songwriter and author Jewel will join Joanna Nikas, a writer and editor at The New York Times, for a discussion about how to care for yourself during this difficult time. While she is best known for her pop hits, she is also dedicated to promoting mental health awareness. Throughout her career, she’s been candid about the personal struggles that she’s faced and the benefits she’s experienced from practicing mindfulness meditation. As part of the free event, she will perform “Grateful,” a song she released in April, and lead the virtual audience in a guided meditation.When: 9 p.m.Where: R.S.V.P. here. More