The child performers featured in the BBC's version, including 11-year-old Joseph McManners as the Little Prince and 15-year-old Mairead Carlin as the Rose, were selected from among 25,000 young people who turned out for an open audition. The film also stars Teddy Tahu Rhodes, a veteran of the HGO production, as the pilot; Willard White as the King; and Lesley Garrett as the Fox. Director Francesca Zambello adapted her world-premiere stage production for television.

In New York, The Little Prince can be seen on WNET 13 tonight at 9 p.m., on April 8 at 12:30 a.m., and April 10 at 1 p.m. Check local listings.

A CD and DVD of the BBC production was released in the United States last month.

Since its premiere, The Little Prince has been produced at the Skylight Opera of Milwaukee and Boston Lyric Opera. It will be seen at the University of Kentucky later this month and at New York City Opera in November.