Skyler Astin sings in this exclusive clip from PBS special We Chose To Go To The Moon

In this exclusive look at the PBS "living documentary" celebrating the space race, the Pitch Perfect star preforms "Fly Me To The Moon".

By Lacy Baugher Milas  |  November 2, 2026 | 12:00pm
(Photo: Nina Westervelt/PBS)
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Skyler Astin sings in this exclusive clip from PBS special We Chose To Go To The Moon

From in-depth documentaries about the history of the space race to scientific programs that spotlight the mysteries of our solar system, no one does space programs like PBS. The public broadcaster is also known for its performance specials tied to specific events, like its annual National Memorial Day and Fourth of July concerts. Now, it’s tying both together in the new special, We Chose To Go To The Moon, which feels like both a marker of how far we’ve come and a hopeful celebration of the future.

Billed as a “living documentary,” the multimedia special blends live music and storytelling into a one-of-a-kind theatrical event that spotlights the drama and human stories behind our journey to the moon and beyond.  Created, written, and narrated by writer and historian John Monksy and directed by Tony Award winner Michael Mayer (Spring Awakening), it was filmed at New York City’s Carnegie Hall in April 2026 against the backdrop of the Artemis II mission as part of its United in Sound: America At 250 festival.

We Chose To Go To The Moon mixes live performances, orchestral music, archival film and photography, personal stories, and appearances from astronauts and their families. The immersive concert features a soundtrack of classic hits from the ‘50s and ‘60’s performed by an array of artists including Skylar Austin (Pitch Perfect), Grammy nominee Brent Comer (The Outsiders), Claybourne Elder (Company), Elizabeth Gillies (Little Shop Of Horrors), Tony nominee Taylor Louderman (Mean Girls) and Grammy and Tony nominee Joy Woods (Gypsy). 

Our exclusive first look at the special features Astin performing the classic song “Fly Me To The Moon”. Frank Sinatra’s rendition of the song, first recorded by Kaye Ballard in 1954, became closely associated with NASA and the Apollo space program in the 1960s. The track was included on a cassette tape which was played during the Apollo 10 mission that orbited the moon, as well as on Apollo 11 before the moon landing took place. The song was also featured at Neil Armstrong’s memorial service in 2012. In the PBS special, it’s performed during a segment dedicated to the astronauts’ wives.

Take a look for yourself, and tune in to PBS on Tuesday, November 10 at 8 p.m. ET. for more.

 
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