Kevin Kline stars in charming 'American Classic' TV series

The MGM+ show follows a Shakespearean actor who returns to his small hometown to save the local theater.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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In the charming new TV series "American Classic," Kevin Kline plays Richard Bean, a renowned Shakespearean actor who retreats to his small hometown of Millersburg, Pennsylvania after a public meltdown. There, he gets involved in an effort to save the local theater, which is struggling to survive. The show features a talented ensemble cast, including Tony Shalhoub, Laura Linney, and Nell Verlaque, and explores themes of community, family, and the power of the performing arts.

Why it matters

"American Classic" is a hidden gem that celebrates the enduring appeal of small-town theater and the transformative power of the arts. In an era of corporate-owned entertainment, the show's focus on a community-driven, mission-driven theater model serves as a heartwarming reminder of the importance of preserving local cultural institutions and the values they represent.

The details

When Richard Bean's negative review of his performance as King Lear goes viral, his agent (Tony Shalhoub) advises him to lay low for a while. Richard returns to his hometown of Millersburg, where his parents once ran the local theater. Determined to save the struggling dinner theater, Richard decides to mount a production of Thornton Wilder's "Our Town," casting the townspeople in the roles. This brings together a talented ensemble, including Richard's niece Miranda (Nell Verlaque), who continues the family's theatrical tradition.

  • In the series premiere, Richard confronts a New York Times critic about a negative review of his performance as King Lear.
  • The next day, Richard's agent calls to inform him that his tantrum was captured on video and went viral.

The players

Kevin Kline

An acclaimed Shakespearean actor who returns to his small hometown to save the local theater.

Tony Shalhoub

Richard's agent, who advises him to lay low after his public meltdown.

Laura Linney

Richard's sister-in-law, who is married to his brother Jon.

Nell Verlaque

Richard's niece, who continues the family's theatrical tradition.

Millersburg Theater

The local theater that Richard is determined to save, which is struggling to survive as a dinner theater.

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What they’re saying

“The more episodes you watch, the better it gets. The characters evolve, and go in unexpected directions and pairings. Kline's Richard starts out thinking about only himself, but ends up just the opposite.”

— David Bianculli, TV critic (NPR)

“Take the effort to find, and watch, American Classic. It'll remind you why, when it's this good, it's easy to love the theater. And television.”

— David Bianculli, TV critic (NPR)

What’s next

Viewers can subscribe to MGM+ to watch the full first season of "American Classic" and follow the continuing story of Richard Bean's efforts to save the Millersburg Theater.

The takeaway

"American Classic" is a heartwarming celebration of the power of community-driven, mission-driven arts institutions to transform lives and bring people together. The show's focus on preserving local cultural traditions in the face of corporate homogenization serves as an inspiring reminder of the enduring importance of the performing arts.