Best-bets for May 15: Performing en masse and in isolation

1) “Great Performances: Bernstein’s Mass,” 9-11 p.m., PBS. Even during this social-distance time, we can savor the epic power of supersized music. Leonard Bernstein wrote this powerful piece for the 1971 Kennedy Center opening; this performance (shown here) is from last July at the Ravinia Festival, near Chicago. Paolo Szot (a Tony-winner for “South Pacific”) is superb, backed by the Chicago Symphony, a children’s choir, a vocal quartet, a 22-person “street chorus” and, yes, a marching band. Read more…

1) “Great Performances: Bernstein’s Mass,” 9-11 p.m., PBS. Even during this social-distance time, we can savor the epic power of supersized music. Leonard Bernstein wrote this powerful piece for the 1971 Kennedy Center opening; this performance (shown here) is from last July at the Ravinia Festival, near Chicago. Paolo Szot (a Tony-winner for “South Pacific”) is superb, backed by the Chicago Symphony, a children’s choir, a vocal quartet, a 22-person “street chorus” and, yes, a marching band.

2) “The Greatest #Stayathome Videos,” 8 p.m., CBS. All of this stuck-at-home time seems to stir fresh creativity. Cedric the Entertainer hosts a sampling of viral moments, humorous and/or inspiring.

3) “Masters of Illusion.” 8-10 p.m, CW. Yes, the summer shows are already arriving. A few will be scripted, but mostly we get reality and (on CW) magic. “Masters” has Dean Cain introducing quick acts in Las Vegas. The season-opening episodes, at 8 and 8:30 p.m., have six acts apiece. Then the 21st-anniversary apecial reruns from 9-10 p.m. includes Jonathan Pendragon, Murray SawChuck, JekiYoo, Greg Frewin, Mac King, Franz Harary, Barry and Stuart and Farell Dillon.

4) “The Blacklist” season-finale, 8 p.m., NBC. The seventh season of this terrific show has something unique – a hybrid between live action and graphic-novel animation. The task force probes an accountant, to get to the thuggish Kazanjian brothers who protect him. Also, Liz faces a key decision.

5) “The Great,” any time, Hulu. In real life, Catherine the Great was a Prussian princess, 32, when she married the Russian emperor; seven months later, he was killed and she was starting a 37-year reign. And in this ditzy (and sometimes quite funny) series? She’s played by Elle Fanning, 22, as a wide-eyed romantic. When her husband snubs her, she begins her schemes.

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