Stream this: ‘Margaret Mead,’ Broadway hits, new play fest

Here are three theater streaming shows you should know about.

“Exposing Margaret Mead”: Playwright Lynne Kaufman’s new work, debuting this weekend via The Marsh, explores the legacy of the famed anthropologist who, long before the era of “white privilege” debates, was accused of misrepresenting the Samoan culture as being sexually permissive. Kaufman’s show digs into the criticisms and reveals that Mead was more progressive on such issues as sex and race than many might expect.

Details: 7:30 p.m. today, Kaufman appears in a live Q&A with Stephanie Weisman, founder and artistic director of The Marsh; 7:30 p.m. Saturday, livestreaming of “Exploring Margaret Mead,” which will also be accessible for viewing all day Sunday; content is free but donations encouraged; themarsh.org.

Lights Up: The annual new plays festival at San Jose’s City Lights Theater has been scuttled by the COVID-19 pandemic, but is reemerging as a podcast titled “Filament.” Every Tuesday, City Lights will post a new chapter of the podcast in which a new work gets a “radio play” staging. That is, actors perform their parts at home and company sound engineer George Psarras edits the readings into a sonic production. The podcast kicks off on Tuesday with a reading of Lauren Doyle’s fertility-themed drama, “Changeling.” Details: Performances are free but donations encouraged; cltc.org/filament; productions will also be available at Spotify and other podcast platforms.

“I Hope You Dance”: Sonoma County-based Transcendence Theatre Company continues its summer virtual performance season with this streaming show, a greatest hits-like collection of song and dance numbers taken from the last eight years of company performances. “Moulin Rouge,” “Anything Goes,” “A

REBECCA CALL — TRANSCENDENCE THEATRE COMPANY Members of the Transcendence Theatre Company perform “Rhythm of Life,” from the musical “Sweet Charity.” The number is part of the company’s virtual show “I Hope You Dance.” Chorus Line,” “White Christmas,” “Sweet Charity” and “Ragtime” are just some of the musicals represented in this show. Details: Fridays through Sundays through Aug. 23; free but donations encouraged; transcendencetheatre.org. — Randy McMullen, Staff