Ridgefield Playhouse Will Screen Productions from The Met, National Theatre in MArch

Experiencing a grand opera from the Met and stage plays from Britain's National Theatre of London is a convenient and affordable reality, thanks to the Live in HD series at The Ridgefield Playhouse. Bordin's Prince Igor will be center stage on Saturday, March 1, at 12 p.m. Massenet's Werther will thrill on Saturday, March 15, at 12:55 p.m. and Sunday, March 16, at 12 p.m. War Horse from National Theatre of London takes the audience on an incredible journey on Tuesday, March 25, at 6:30 p.m. For dinner-and-a-show, Bernard's (22 West Lane, Ridgefield) is offering a special $45 prix-fixe menu, or a free glass of wine with dinner before these events, when tickets are presented; reservations suggested beginning at 5 p.m. Visit ridgefieldplayhouse.org for video previews of the Met Live in HD Series. These two series are underwritten by Jeanne Cook, Anita and Nicholas Donofrio, Liz and Steven Goldstone, Marilyn and Joe Kreitz, Joanne and John Patrick, Starbucks Coffee, Sabina and Walter Slavin, Taylor Zemo Foundation, The Ridgefield Press and Whistle Stop Bakery.

Borodin's defining Russian epic, Prince Igor, famous for its Polovtsian Dances, comes to the Met for the first time in nearly 100 years. Dmitri Tcherniakov's new production is a brilliant psychological journey through the mind of its conflicted hero, with the founding of the Russian nation as the backdrop. Star bass-baritone Ildar Abdrazakov takes on the monumental title role, with Gianandrea Noseda conducting.

Two of opera's greatest artists, Jonas Kaufmann and Sophie Koch, appear together in Massenet's sublime adaptation of Goethe's revolutionary and tragic romance, Werther. It is directed and designed by Richard Eyre and Rob Howell, the same team that created the Met's recent hit production of Carmen. Rising young maestro Alain Altinoglu conducts.

Based on Michael Morpurgo's novel and adapted for the stage by Nick Stafford, War Horse takes audiences on an extraordinary journey from the fields of rural Devon to the trenches of First World War France. Filled with stirring music and songs, this powerfully moving and imaginative drama is a show of phenomenal inventiveness. At its heart are astonishing life-size puppets by South Africa's Handspring Puppet Company, who bring breathing, galloping, charging horses to thrilling life on stage.

Other events Live in HD from the Met will include Puccini's La Bohème, Saturday, April 5, 12:55 p.m.; Mozart's Così Fan Tutte, Saturday, April 26, 12:55 p.m. and Rossini's La Cenerentola, Saturday, May 10, 12:55 p.m.

For tickets ($25 adults, $20 seniors/members, $15 students, $18 each for all 10 in the series), call the box office at (203) 438-5795, or order online at ridgefieldplayhouse.org. The Ridgefield Playhouse is a not-for-profit performing arts center located at 80 East Ridge, parallel to Main Street, Ridgefield, CT.