A unique performance at Greensburg’s Palace Theatre involving Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra musicians is now available for streaming through PBS.
“The Unlikely Union: A Storytelling Symphony of America” was recorded live at the Palace in January and distributed by American Public Television to all PBS stations. Nine cameras were stationed around the 1,400-seat theater, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.
The audience was led through the story of the birth and infancy of the United States by professor Greg Jackson. “The Unlikely Union: A Storytelling Symphony of America” is a stage adaptation of the podcast “History That Doesn’t Suck!” which Jackson created and hosts.
In the beginning of the two-hour program, the ornate Palace Theatre and symphony musicians, led by Daniel Meyer, feature prominently. It was the first time the performance had live musicians on stage along with its host, and also likely the first time a performance at the theater was filmed for television.
The program is set to air on WQED on July 5 at 4 p.m.