Take a trip halfway around the world and see a London stage production without leaving the Palouse.

Following the success of their Metropolitan Opera series, the Kenworthy Performing Arts Center in Moscow will showcase a series of plays through National Theatre Live. This series takes shows from British theaters and broadcasts them to cinemas across the world.

Last year, the Kenworthy was able to acquire a digital projector and the new addition allowed for more programming opportunities, Kenworthy Executive Director Christine Gilmore said. The series is similar to watching a live theater production, including intermissions between acts.

“We dipped our toe into digital waters with digital broadcast and MET Opera, (and) it proved to be very popular and very exciting,” said Gillian Coldsnow, vice president of Kenworthy’s board of directors.

Watching these productions on the screen is not like watching a recorded movie, Gilmore said. These will be live productions, even though they are not 100 percent live due to the time difference between London and Moscow.

One of the benefits of the shows is being able to see people filling the theater in London, going backstage to see the set, and watching actors do on-screen interviews, Gilmore said.

Among the upcoming productions featured are well-known classics such as “A Streetcar Named Desire,” “Hamlet,” “Frankenstein,” and “Of Mice and Men.” There will also be familiar actors including Benedict Cumberbatch, Gilmore said.

“The Kenworthy is so proud to be a part of the community, and we take our mission very seriously,” Coldsnow said. “Any time we make a major step that benefits the community it makes us feel so connected.”

Starting the series will be “A Streetcar Named Desire” showing today. The story, written by Tennessee Williams, follows debutant and dramatic Blanche DuBois as she is forced to live with her quiet and reserved younger sister Stella and her rough husband Stanley.

“It’s a very psychological drama,” Coldsnow said. “Blanche DuBois is one of the most enduring and complex characters in American drama.”

Coldsnow said many people know the often-referenced scene of a man screaming “Stella!” in despair, but might not know the scene is from “A Streetcar Named Desire.”

Since today is the kickoff event for the entire series, the Kenworthy will include be a social hour beginning at 6 p.m. including a no-host bar and appetizers.

“To see (the shows) on the big screen with other fans of great theater is pretty darn special,” Coldsnow said.

“A Streetcar Named Desire” tickets cost $20 and can be bought at BookPeople of Moscow or at the Kenworthy box office. All other performances in the series are $12. For show dates, visit http://kenworthy.org/ntlive/

Reporting by Catherine Kruse