Great Performances is one of many in a long line of quality series' from PBS. After springing up from humble roots, 2012-2013 marks the 40th Anniversary Season - making it the longest running anthology program featuring the performing arts. Playing off of the early successes of NET Playhouse and Playhouse New York, (which debuted in 1972), producer Jac Venza started Theater in America in 1973, which would officially change to Great Performances the following year. Later, the Great Performances umbrella would branch out to also include Dance in America, Music in America, and Live From Lincoln Center. From Broadway to Rock n' Roll, Great Performances has successfully provided an opportunity for the American public to enjoy many different forms of music, dance and entertainment for the very first time. / During the 1973-74 television season, Theater in America / Great Performances debuted on January 23, 1974 with . That very first season consisted of 11 new productions from Regional Theaters throughout the United states, plus repetitions of 8 plays produced by WNET in recent years. Some of these latter 8, like "The Rimers of Eldritch" and "Hogan's Goat", had previously aired on PBS under a different banner, and those air dates will be cited within this guide. Additionally, it will be noted throughout this guide whenever a production was aired under the Great Performances umbrella, but with a different banner like Theater in America, Dance in America, Music in America, or Live From Lincoln Center. Currently 9/10