October 2016 NOW

NOW The Music Hall’s Monthly Magazine

ON THE COVER

BRETT DENNEN SEE PG. 3

October 2016

Innovation + Leadership

CARLYLE BROWN & COMPANY PRESENTS: ACTING BLACK 10/1 Met @ The Music Hall

TRISTAN UND ISOLDE (WAGNER) 10/8

The District Restaurant Singer Songwriter Series

RUBY ROSE FOX

10/8

Writers on a New England Stage

JODI PICOULT

10/12

Intimately Yours

BRETT DENNEN SEASON SPONSORS

Like us on Facebook & follow us Twitter!

TheMusicHall.org

10/21

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NEW SHOWS ON SALE! This month, our “First Saturday” on sale event for members is Saturday, October 1. The following NEW shows go on sale to members at 10am for walk-up, at noon for phone and internet sales. Tickets on sale to non-members Saturday, October 15 at noon. To become a member, go online to TheMusicHall.org, call (603) 766-2176 or email AHahalis@themusichall.org.

Intimately Yours

AN EVENING WITH PAT METHENY WITH ANTONIO SANCHEZ, LINDA OH

& GWILYM SIMCOCK

Tue., January 17 • 7pm • Historic Theater • $38; $55; $62 First bursting onto the international jazz scene in 1974, he became one of the most original guitarists from the '80s onward. His music stretches the boundaries of jazz, while gaining both critical acclaim and the adoration of fans around the world. Don’t miss this 20 time Grammy Award Winner live at the Historic Theater.

"One of the most industrious creative engines in jazz, and his relentless breadth has become a calling card, if not a selling point, among his fans."

– The New York Times

Innovation + Leadership

FLORENCE WILLIAMS

Wed., February 22 • 7pm • Loft • $41; $39 members Book: The Nature Fix: How Being Outside Makes You Happier, Healthier, and More Creative ($26.95 hardcover) What do Nikola Tesla, Beethoven, and Wordsworth have in common? Join this prize-winning author for a discussion of the science at the confluence of environment, mood, health, and creativity. Delving into completely new research, Williams uncovers the powers of the natural world to improve health, promote reflection and innovation, and ultimately strengthen our relationships.

Includes reserved seat, book, bar beverage, author presentation, Q+A, and book signing meet-and-greet.

Nat'l Theatre of London HD Broadcast

Already on sale

THE THREEPENNY OPERA

Sun., October 23 • 1pm • Loft $19; $17 members; $15 for ages 18 and under

A darkly comic new take on Brecht and Weill’s raucous musical—broadcast live from the stage of the National Theatre. This bold, anarchic production is brought to you by a creative powerhouse; adapted by Simon Stephens (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time), and directed by Rufus Norris (Everyman, London Road).

Already on sale

Nat'l Theatre of London HD Broadcast

THE DEEP BLUE SEA

Sun., January 15 • 1pm • Loft $19; $17 members; $15 for ages 18 and under When Hester Collyer is found by her neighbours in the aftermath of a failed suicide attempt, the story of her tempestuous affair with a former RAF pilot and the breakdown of her marriage to a High Court judge begins to emerge. With it comes a portrait of need, loneliness, and long-repressed passion.

Community Partner Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra presents: SEASON LAUNCH PARTY Sun., November 13 • 5pm • Loft Rental Partner Seacoast Asset Management presents: THE BOSTON IRISH COMEDY TOUR Fri., March 18 • 8pm • Historic Theater THE MUSIC HALL presents THE OGUNQUIT PLAYHOUSE production of

Our 2016 Broadway Holiday Musical

If you loved ’ll love Disney’s Beauty & the Beast!

Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, you

NOVEMBER 30 - DECEMBER 18

AT T H E M U S I C H A L L I N P O R T S M O U T H , N H $42-92, tickets start at $32 for ages 18 & under

PRESENTING SPONSOR:

Buy your tickets now and get the best seats!

Groups of 15 or more get great discounts, call 603-766-2182 for more information.

Perfect for business outings & family gatherings!

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SERIES SPONSOR:

Get more with e-news - new shows, special deals, and updates!

LIVE ON STAGE OCTOBER Jodi

Picoult

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF LEAVING TIME

small great things

Writers on a new england stage.

living color a

n o v e l

JODI PICOULT Presented by The Music Hall & NH Public Radio

Wed., October 12 • 7pm • Historic Theater • $13.75; $11.75 For each 1-2 tickets sold, the purchase of a book voucher (Small Great Things; $28.99, hardcover) is required.

The #1 NY Times bestselling author of 23 novels, including My Sister’s Keeper, discusses her latest book about racism, birth, and death in a rural Connecticut hospital, and a devastating court case.

WRITERS ON A NEW ENGLAND STAGE IS A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN: MEDIA PARTNER:

PRESENTING SPONSOR:

N E W

E N G L A N D ’ S

BRETT DENNEN

Fri., October 21 • 8pm • Historic Theater • $29 The music of folk-pop singer songwriter Brett Dennen “urges maturing rock fans to turn up their radios and stay forever young,” says Rolling Stone. Brett joins us touring behind his new album, Por Favor.

SERIES SPONSORS:

M A G A Z I N E

SERIES SPONSOR: Piscataqua Landscaping & Tree Service EVENING SPONSORS: Bank of New Hampshire;

Portsmouth Regional Hospital

EVENING SPONSORS:

Avery Insurance; IOS Business Partners; Clear Eye Photo

CAMERON ESPOSITO

Please use the Yankee logo and tagline as shown above based on listed size. If you have any questions about how to use or resize the logo and tagline, please contact Heather Atwell at 603-563-8111. heathera@yankeepub.com.

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Trending

Thu., October 20 • 8pm • Loft • $26 Esposito's late night tv debut on Late Late with Craig Ferguson was called “the most memorable first time on a late night show for any comedian in recent history.” (Splitsider) With opener Rhea Butcher.

Feb. 2008

SERIES SPONSORS: EVENING SPONSOR:

Trending

Sat., October 1 • 7pm • Loft • $16 Renowned African-American writer and performer, Carlyle Brown returns to The Music Hall with Acting Black, direct from his sold out Guthrie Studio performances. It is a show that is part spoken word, part stand-up comedy, part TED Talk. Acting Black riffs on the roots of American racism and its consequences for all of us. Come join the conversation.

PRESENTING SPONSOR:

SERIES SPONSOR: Veris Wealth Partner EVENING SPONSOR: Heinemann Publishing

Like us on Facebook & follow us Twitter!

AMOR TOWLES

Tue., October 18 • 7pm • Loft

$41; $39 • Includes reserved seat, book (A Gentleman in Moscow, $27, hardcover), bar beverage, author presentation, Q+A, and book signing meet-and-greet.

The New York Times bestselling author of Rules of Civility joins us with his acclaimed new novel which "casts a spell" (Vanity Fair), heralded in O, The Oprah Magazine, as "elegant" and “irresistible."

SERIES SPONSOR: TheMusicHall.org

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LIVE ON STAGE OCTOBER SERIES SPONSOR: MEDIA PARTNERS:

VETIVER

Sun., October 2 • 7pm • Loft • $24 Vetiver, aka Andy Cabic, composed “Complete Strangers” to the rhythm of his own footsteps. They describe the new album as a work of transition and duality, where “sunshine is only a chord away from melancholy.” Opener: Nat Baldwin

l of t

Li

@ th

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ve

Live Free Photography – [Liv] Frame Print

RUBY ROSE FOX

Sat., October 8 • 8pm • Loft • $15 Ruby Rose Fox is a vocal powerhouse of soul-driven, edgy rock ‘n’ roll (with a nod to new-wave pop), whose voice threatens to knock down the walls of any room in which she performs.

DIRTY BOURBON RIVER SHOW

Sat., October 22 • 8pm • Loft • $20 The Dirty Bourbon River Show deftly melds sounds that range from hard-edged blues to Lisztian piano driven ballads to New Orleans brass into a result that is truly a blast of new energy into the musical landscape.

SERIES SPONSOR: White Heron Tea and Coffee Community

MEDIA PARTNER: Live Free Photography – [Liv] Frame Print

EVENING SPONSORS: Solari Salon and Spa

Be our guest this holiday season!

THE MUSIC HALL presents THE OGUNQUIT PLAYHOUSE production of

Trending

INFERNO RED CARPET COMMUNITY GALA

Fri., October 28 • 7:30pm • Historic Theater • $20 GA PG-13 • 2h 1m • US Author Dan Brown and his wife Blythe, along with The Music Hall, have partnered to present a special gift to Seacoast residents— an Inferno Red Carpet Event. This gala screening of the film includes a walk down the red carpet, a behind-the-scenes slide-show, and an audience Q&A with author and exec. prod. Dan Brown. All proceeds from ticket sales go to support local charities.

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NOVEMBER 30 - DECEMBER 18 With stunning costumes and sets direct from London, Broadway actors, and a whole lot of holiday magic, it’s the perfect way to get into the spirit of the season.

Member discounts available PRESENTING SPONSOR:

SERIES SPONSOR:

Get more with e-news - new shows, special deals, and updates!

ON SCREEN OCT

PRESENTING CINEMA SPONSOR:

Film tickets: $11 Adults; $8 Seniors 60+, Students & Military

EQUITY R • 1h 40m • US 10/1, 10/5, 10/6 @ 7pm; 10/2 @ 3pm An investment banker (Anna Gunn), fighting to rise to the top of the corporate ladder at a competitive Wall Street firm, navigates a controversial tech IPO in the post-financial crisis world, where loyalties are suspect, regulations are tight, but pressure to bring in “big money” remains high. Directed, written, produced, and financed by women, a collaboration among women in entertainment and business leaders in finance—the real-life women of Wall Street—who chose to invest in this film because they wanted to see their story told.

extraordinary cinema

INDIGNATION

R • 1h 50m • US 10/7, 10/8, 10/11 @ 7pm; 10/9 @ 3pm Based on Philip Roth's late novel, Indignation takes place in 1951, as Marcus Messner (Logan Lerman), a brilliant working class Jewish boy from Newark, New Jersey, travels on scholarship to a small, conservative college in Ohio, thus exempting him from being drafted into the Korean War. But once there, Marcus' growing infatuation with his beautiful classmate Olivia Hutton (Sarah Gadon), and his clashes with the college's imposing Dean (Tracy Letts), put his and his family's best laid plans to the ultimate test.

HELL OR HIGH WATER

R • 1h 42m • US 10/18 & 10/20 @ 7pm Texas brothers—Toby (Chris Pine), and Tanner (Ben Foster), come together after years divided to rob branches of the bank threatening to foreclose on their family land. For them, the hold-ups are just part of a last-ditch scheme to take back a future that seemed to have been stolen from under them. They find themselves on the radar of Texas Ranger, Marcus (Jeff Bridges) and his half-Comanche partner, Alberto (Gil Birmingham).

FLORENCE FOSTER JENKINS

PG-13 • 1h 51m • UK 10/22, 10/25, 10/27 @ 7pm Meryl Streep and Hugh Grant...need we go on? Ok... A wealthy New York heiress (Streep) attempts to become an opera singer despite her horrible singing voice. Simon Helberg and Rebecca Ferguson co-star in this biopic directed by Stephen Frears (Philomena, Tamara Drewe, The Queen).

DON'T THINK TWICE

R • 1h 32m • US 11/1, 11/2, 11/3 @ 7pm; 10/30 @ 3pm When a member of a popular New York City improv troupe gets cast on a hit TV show, the rest of the group - all best friends - start to realize that not everyone is going to make it after all. From the director of Sleepwalk With Me and the creator of This American Life comes this critically acclaimed comedy packed with comic stars Keegan-Michael Key, Gillian Jacobs, Mike Birbiglia, Kate Micucci, Chris Gethard, and Tami Sagher that presents a hilarious and honest look at the lives of professional funny people.

EAT THAT QUESTION: FRANK ZAPPA IN HIS OWN WORDS

extraordinary cinema

R • 1h 33m • France (no subtitles) 10/5, 10/6, 10/7, 10/11, 10/12 @ 7pm An intimate encounter with the iconoclastic composer and musician. Rare archival footage reveals a provocative 20th century musical genius whose worldview reverberates into the present day and beyond.

Featured are: Steve Allen, Adrian Belew, Pierre Boulez, Mike Douglas, and many more.

LITTLE MEN

PG • 1h 25m • US 10/19, 10/21, 10/23, 10/26 @ 7pm When 13-year-old Jake's (Theo Taplitz) family moves from Manhattan back into his father's old Brooklyn home, Jake befriends the charismatic Tony (Michael Barbieri), whose single mother Leonor (Paulina Garcia) runs the shop downstairs. Soon, Jake's parents Brian (Greg Kinnear) and Kathy (Jennifer Ehle) — one, a struggling actor, the other, a psychotherapist — ask Leonor to sign a new, steeper lease on her store. For Leonor, the proposed new rent is untenable, and a feud ignites between the adults. ,

LO AND BEHOLD

PG-13 • 1h 38m • US 10/30, 11/1, 11/2 @ 7pm The latest from master documentarian, Werner Herzog. Society depends on the Internet for nearly everything but rarely do we step back and recognize its endless intricacies and unsettling omnipotence. Herzog explores - in a playful yet chilling examination - our rapidly interconnecting online lives.

FILM KEY: @ HISTORIC THEATER @ MUSIC HALL LOFT Like us EVENT on Facebook & follow us Twitter!

See Calendar on page 8 for Show & Tell Discussions

TheMusicHall.org

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ON SCREEN OCT

PRESENTING CINEMA SPONSOR:

Film tickets: $11 Adults; $8 Seniors 60+, Students & Military*

The Met @ The Music Hall

TRISTAN & ISOLDE (WAGNER)

Sat., 10/8 • 12pm • Historic Theater Sir Simon Rattle conducts his first Live in HD performance, with Nina Stemme starring in her touchstone role as Isolde and heldentenor Stuart Skelton starring as Tristan, in a Mariusz Treliwski production.

Don't miss the Opera Connection at 10:30am in the Loft!

SERIES SPONSORS:

National Theatre of London HD Broadcast

The Met @ The Music Hall

DON GIOVANNI (MOZART)

THE THREEPENNY OPERA

Don't miss the Opera Connection at 11:30am in the Loft!

London scrubs up for the coronation. The thieves are on the make, the whores on the pull, the police cutting deals to keep it all out of sight.

Mr and Mrs Peachum are looking forward to a bumper day in the beggary business, but their daughter didn’t come home last night and it’s all about to kick off…

Sat., 10/22 • 1pm • Historic Theater Simon Keenlyside makes his Met role debut as the unrepentant seducer in Tony Award winner Michael Grandage’s staging of Mozart’s masterpiece, with Fabio Luisi conducting.

SERIES SPONSORS:

Sun., 10/23 • 1pm • Loft A darkly comic new take on Brecht and Weill’s raucous musical.

SERIES SPONSORS:

Wildcard: HÄXAN: WITCHCRAFT THROUGH THE AGES (1922)

Wed., 10/26 • 8pm NR • 1h 30m • Sweden • $13 Grave robbing, torture, possessed nuns, and a satanic Sabbath: Benjamin Christensen’s legendary film uses a series of dramatic vignettes to explore the scientific hypothesis that the witches of the Middle Ages suffered the same hysteria as turn-of-the-century psychiatric patients. But the film itself is far from serious—instead it’s a witches’ brew of the scary, gross, and darkly humorous.

EVENING SPONSORS: Cocked Hat Ventures, WSCA 106.1FM Portsmouth Community Radio; RAM Printing

Once again, we are thrilled to have an original score performed live by Boston ‘Steam-Crunk’ ensemble and RPM Challenge favorites, Walter Sickert & the Army of BRoken TOys. In affiliation with, and as a fundraiser for, Portsmouth Halloween Parade.

COMMUNITY

JACK!: PRIZZI'S HONOR (1985) R • 2h 10m • USA Tue., 10/25 @ 7pm • Loft

Jack gained 30 pounds for his unusually subdued role as a regular Brooklyn schlub who happens also to be an accomplished mob killer, finding himself well out of his depth amid the web of family double-crosses that ensue when he falls for a mysterious West Coast beauty (Kathleen Turner). Nominated for 8 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best Director (John Huston).

Individual tickets are available for $15. Tickets are limited.

No passes. Ticket price includes a free popcorn and post-film discussion with host and moderator Trevor Bartlett.

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The Music Hall announces School Days Series Scholarship program

The Music Hall is pleased to announce that this year, a scholarship program for our School Days Series, will introduce 600 students from two Title I elementary schools to the joys and benefits of professional theater.

To ensure these shows are accessible for everyone, we will provide each student with a complimentary seat, transportation, and a box lunch. This project is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts as well as our good friends at D.F. Richard Energy.

Get more with e-news - new shows, special deals, and updates!

MEMBERS, SPONSORS. & MORE Jane’s Trust awards prestigious grant in support of Streetscape Project Through the spring the City of Portsmouth and The Music Hall have been finalizing an agreement for a public-private partnership to increase the safety and accessibility of Chestnut Street. Its aim: to improve pedestrian and emergency access to the street, create gathering spaces, and connect a pedestrian-friendly corridor from The African Burying Ground Memorial to the Northern Tier. This plan, along with the gift of public art, a wayfinding archway, has recently been approved by a unanimous vote of the Portsmouth City Council after public listening sessions, work with city committees, and Art-Speak.

The Music Hall has recently been awarded a $100,000 grant from Jane’s Trust to support the Chestnut Street Streetscape and Exterior Improvement Project. This is the third award The Music Hall has received from the regional foundation since 2008, when the Trust first provided a key capital grant toward the ongoing Treasure the Future campaign.

“We are thrilled to partner with Jane’s Trust at another pivotal moment in The Music Hall’s history,” said Music Hall executive director Patricia Lynch. “This award goes a long way in helping us realize the vision of the Chestnut Street Streetscape Project. Through this gift from Jane’s Trust and our Capital Campaign, not only is Chestnut Street being improved, but we’re addressing needed upgrades to the exterior of the theater, and replacing our damaged marquee with a vintage-inspired illuminated marquee. It is my hope that in the next year, the outside of the Historic Theater will look as beautiful as the interior.”

The results of this project are expected to provide greater access and exposure to the arts as well as cultural and historical attractions in the community, which are key objectives for Jane’s Trust in fulfilling its goal to further quality artistic and cultural development in northern New England.

Save the date for your Holiday Shopping Guide!

Online Auction ​L ive

Upcoming Events Mon., October 17 Book Club - Orhan’s Inheritance by Aline Ohanesian Tue., October 25 Film Club - Prizzi’s Honor Wed., November 9 Directors Club Coastal Canine Resort Mon., November 14 Book Club- Everyone Brave is Forgiven by Chris Cleave Tue., November 15 Film Club - As Good As It Gets Fri., December 2 Directors Club - Opening Night Party with Cast of Disney's Beauty and the Beast Mon., December 12 Book Club - American Heiress by Jeffrey Toobin Tue., December 27 Film Club - About Schmidt For more information, contact Alexis Hahalis (603) 766-2176 or AHahalis@themusichall.org

October 30 - November 13 ACCESS. EXPLORE. ESCAPE. DINE. ​ Give a little and get a lot in return. With items being added all the time, make sure to bid early and often. A complete holiday shopping guide right at your finger tips. All auction proceeds help to support The Music Hall​‘s community outreach programming such as School Days Series and student master classes with visiting artists.

More information at www.BiddingForGood.com/TheMusicHallAuction art sports tickets celebrity meet & greets

vacation travel restaurant packages items $100 & under!

Thank you to our Corporate Partners Like us on Facebook & follow us Twitter!

TheMusicHall.org

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OCTOBER @ THE MUSIC HALL SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

Historic Tour 12pm

No Film Tonight

School Days Series Extraordinary Cinema Captain Fantastic 7pm Pete The Cat 9:30am & 11:30am

SEPT 25

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EVENT KEY:

Extraordinary Cinema Captain Fantastic 7pm

@ HISTORIC THEATER @ MUSIC HALL LOFT Show & Tell discussion follows the film

WEDNESDAY THURSDAY

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ORG THEMUSICHALL.deos,

t vi Check out artis and more! movie trailers,

FRIDAY 30

Writers on a New England Stage Stephen Breyer 7pm

Hilarity Mike Birbiglia 7pm

The District Restaurant Singer Songwriter Series The Handsome Family 8pm

The District Restaurant Singer Songwriter Series Tom Brosseau with Sean Watkins 8pm

Direct

ors Cl ub

Opera Connection

Opera Connection 16-17 Season Preview 5:30pm

YOUR

Directors Club Profile Coffee Bar 5:30pm

NAME

HERE EXP Date

Innovation + Leadership

Generation Found 7pm

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Extraordinary Cinema Equity 3pm

No Film Tonight

School Days Series Brown Bear, Brown Bear...

9:30am & 11:30am

Extraordinary Cinema Equity 7pm

Extraordinary Cinema Equity 7pm

Extraordinary Cinema Indignation 7pm

Extraordinary Cinema

Extraordinary Cinema

Extraordinary Cinema

Historic Tour 5:30pm

Eat That Question: Frank Zappa in His Own Words 7pm

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The District Restaurant Singer Songwriter Series Vetiver 7pm

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Extraordinary Cinema Indignation 3pm

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Community Partner New Hampshire Film Festival 2016

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No Film Tonight

Extraordinary Cinema Indignation 7pm

Box Office Closed

Writers on a New England Stage Jodi Picoult 7pm

Extraordinary Cinema

Extraordinary Cinema

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Community Partner "13 Hours" A benefit for Veteran's Count 7pm

Extraordinary Cinema Hell or High Water 7pm

Writers in the Loft Amor Towles 7pm

Extraordinary Cinema

Hilarity Cameron Esposito with Rhea Butcher 8pm

17 No Film Tonight Book Club Portwalk Place 6pm

23 Historic Tour 12pm 24 Nat'l Theatre of London No Film Tonight The Threepenny Opera 1pm Extraordinary Cinema

Little Men 7pm

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Eat That Question: Frank Zappa in His Own Words 7pm

Eat That Question: Frank Zappa in His Own Words 7pm

Extraordinary Cinema Hell or High Water 7pm

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Extraordinary Cinema Florence Foster Jenkins 7pm

Little Men 7pm

Lo and Behold 7pm

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Rental Partner New Hampshire Film Festival 2016

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Community Partner CreativeMornings PKX 8:30am Intimately Yours Brett Dennen 8pm Extraordinary Cinema

Little Men 7pm

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Inferno Red Carpet Community Gala 7:30pm

Box Office opens at 10am for member walk-up...

The Music Hall Presents Carlyle Brown & Company presents: Acting Black 7pm Extraordinary Cinema Equity 7pm

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Opera Connection Tristan... 10:30am Met @ the Music Hall Tristan und Isolde (Wagner) 12pm Extraordinary Cinema Indignation 7pm The District Restaurant Singer Songwriter Series Ruby Rose Fox 8pm

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Public On Sale at 12pm

Rental Partner New Hampshire Film Festival 2016

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Opera Connection Don Giovanni 11:30am Met @ the Music Hall Don Giovanni (Mozart) 1pm Extraordinary Cinema Florence Foster... 7pm Live @ The Loft Dirty Bourbon River Show 8pm

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Rental Partner USA Yoga Regional Qualifier 12pm

Little Men 7pm

Prizzi's Honor 7pm

B2W Box Office @ the Historic Theater: 28 Chestnut Street Hours: Monday - Saturday, noon - 6pm

(603) 436-2400

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Eat That Question: Frank Zappa in His Own Words 7pm

OCT 1

Extraordinary Cinema

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Extraordinary Cinema

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Rental Partner New Hampshire Film Festival 2016

Wildcard Movie Extraordinary Cinema Häxan: Witchcraft Florence Foster Through the Ages 8pm Jenkins 7pm

Extraordinary Cinema Don't Think Twice 3pm No Film Tonight

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Eat That Question: Frank Zappa in His Own Words 7pm

SATURDAY

The Loft: 131 Congress Street Film tickets: $11 Adults; $8 Seniors 60+, Students, Military/Veterans/First Responders

Get more with e-news - new shows, special deals, and updates!

Like us on Facebook & follow us Twitter!

TheMusicHall.org

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HERE & NOW

Brett Dennen Returns: New Band, New Songs

org/blog TheMusicHall. r more fo og bl r ou See nes info! behind-the-sce

We're Making Upgrades Upstairs!

Singer-songwriter Brett Dennen visited The Music Hall two years ago for a solo acoustic performance. He returns on Fri., October 21 with a full band, touring behind his new album, Por Favor. Deputy Director of Programming Thérèse LaGamma talked with Brett about his musical inspirations, and about what to expect at his October concert.

This summer we made some safety and aesthetic upgrades to the balcony in the ongoing effort to give you the best experience at The Music Hall. These upgrades include safety handrails, new carpeting, and LED stair lighting. Next time you’re choosing seats check out the great views from the balcony.

Thérèse LaGamma: What can fans expect from this show, when you will be playing with a band?

Brett Dennen:When I perform with a band, it is a much more energetic show. The band creates a celebration. It’s about being lively, connecting with the audience, and having fun.

TLG: Tell us about your songwriting process. Does it start with lyrics or music?

BD: It’s different every time. Usually an idea comes to me in the form of a lyric, or an idea for a lyric, with a melody attached. I’ll have 100 of these ideas milling around in my head, waiting for the right time to work on them. My mind wanders back to potential songs a lot. Eventually I find chords that feel new and fresh to me, to go with the melody.

We’ve installed safety handrails at intervals along all the aisles designed not to impede the fantastic sightlines.

TLG: What do you like best about being a singer-songwriter? What other singersongwriters are on your playlist?

BD: I’m a singer-songwriter because I love the idea that every song is my own personal interpretation. All my favorite artists are singer-songwriters for the same reason—every song is a personal windowpane for how they look at the world. Some of favorites are Amos Lee, Ray LaMontagne, and Paolo Nutini.

TLG: What do you do to prepare for a tour?

BD: We spend many hours rehearsing, then can take time off with just a few hours needed to break through the rust before going back on the road. I take care of everything in my life at home, so I’m comfortable on stage. If something goes wrong, I know it will still be a great show.

TLG: When you last visited us, you were getting ready to hike Mount Kilimanjaro.

What inspired that trip? How did it influence your music?

BD: The hike was one of several I’ve participated in with Love Hope Strength, a rock and roll cancer foundation. We raise money that goes to cancer treatment centers in the remote places where we are hiking. The experience is about teamwork, relationships, self-exploration, and learning your personal limits. It’s as much of an inside journey as an outside journey, and it was the internal experience—the mental journey—that inspired my music.

TLG: How do you feel about returning to The Music Hall?

BD: I’m looking forward to it. Going back with a full band feels exciting—just what the doctor ordered!

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We found that a fresh coat of carpet really spruces the place up and quiets things down.

We've installed new LED stairway lighting to help you find your seat that is a less intrusive presence and saves energy.

We’ve got a couple other surprises in store for you this fall; keep an eye out for even better amenities.

Get more with e-news - new shows, special deals, and updates!

AT A G LANCE October 2016

Innovation + Leadership

Carlyle Brown & Company Present: Acting Black Saturday, October 1 • 7pm

The District Restaurant Singer Songwriter Series

Vetiver

Sunday, October 2 • 7pm School Days Series Mermaid Theatre of Nova

Scotia: Brown Bear, Brown Bear...

Tuesday, October 4 • 9:30am & 11:30am Opera Connection Tristan und Isolde

Saturday, October 8 • 10:30am

Met @ The Music Hall Tristan und Isolde (Wagner)

Saturday, October 8 • 12pm

The District Restaurant Singer Songwriter Series

Ruby Rose Fox

Saturday, October 8 • 8pm Writers on a New England Stage Jodi Picoult

November 2016

Innovation + Leadership Nicholson Baker

On Stage & On Screen

2016 - 2017

December 2016 Film Club About Schmidt

Thursday, November 3 • 7pm

Tuesday, December 27 • 7pm

Rental Partner Teton Gravity Research

Hilarity Juston McKinney's Last Laugh 2016

presents: Tight Loose

Friday, November 4 • 7:30pm The District Restaurant Singer Songwriter Series

Caravan of Thieves

Saturday, November 5 • 8pm School Days Series Skippyjon Jones Snow What

& the 7 Chihuahuas (9:30am SOLD OUT)

Wednesday, November 9 • 9:30am & 11:30am The District Restaurant Singer Songwriter Series

Lydia Loveless

Wednesday, November 9 • 7:30pm The District Restaurant Singer Songwriter Series

My Brightest Diamond

Thursday, November 10 • 7:30pm

Wednesday, October 12 • 7pm

The District Restaurant Singer Songwriter Series

Community Partner New Hampshire Film Festival

Friday, November 11 • 8pm

Thursday, October 13 - Sunday, October 16

THE MUSIC HALL

Rhett Miller

The District Restaurant Singer Songwriter Series

Thursday, December 29 • 8pm

January 2017 Met @ The Music Hall Nabucco (Verdi)

Saturday, January 7 • 1pm

Nat'l Theatre of London HD Broadcast

The Deep Blue Sea

Sunday, January 15 • 1pm Met @ The Music Hall Roméo et Juliette (Gounod)

Saturday, January 21 • 1pm

February 2017 Rental Partner Capitol Steps: What to Expect

When You're Electing

Saturday, February 4 • 5pm & 8pm

Ben Sollee

Met @ The Music Hall L’Amour de Loin (Saariaho)

Community Partner Veterans Count presents:

Community Partner Portsmouth Symphony

Community Partner One Billion Rising Gala:

Wednesday, October 19 • 7pm

Sunday, November 13 • 3pm

Sunday, February 12 • 7pm

Writers in the Loft Amor Towles

Tuesday, October 18 • 7pm

13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi

Hilarity Cameron Esposito and Rhea Butcher

Thursday, October 20 • 8pm

Community Partner CreativeMornings PKX

Friday, October 21 • 8:30am

Intimately Yours Brett Dennen

Friday, October 21 • 8pm

Opera Connection Don Giovanni

Saturday, October 22 • 11:30am Met @ The Music Hall Don Giovanni (Mozart)

Saturday, October 22 • 1pm

Live @ the Loft Dirty Bourbon River Show

Saturday, November 12 • 8pm

Orchestra presents Bartok Concerto

Community Partner Portsmouth Symphony

Orchestra presents Season Launch Party Sunday, November 13 • 5pm Film Club As Good As It Gets

Tuesday, November 15 • 7pm Community Partner CreativeMornings PKX

Friday, November 18 • 8:30am Intimately Yours Guster

Friday, November 18 • 8pm Writers on a New England Stage Mario Batali

Sunday, November 20 • 1pm

Saturday, October 22 • 8pm

Rental Partner Warren Miller Entertainment

Nat'l Theatre of London HD Broadcast

Mon., November 21 - Wed., November 23

The Threepenny Opera

Sunday, October 23 • 1pm Film Club Prizzi's Honor

Tuesday, October 25 • 7pm Halloween Wildcard Movie

presents: Here, There & Everywhere

December 2016 The Ogunquit Playhouse at The Music Hall Presents

Disney's Beauty & The Beast

Häxan: Witchcraft Through the Ages

November 30 - December 18

Inferno Red Carpet Community Gala

Wednesday, December 7 • 7pm

Wednesday, October 26 • 8pm Friday, October 28 • 7:30pm

Rental Partner USA Yoga Regional Qualifier

Saturday, October 29 • 12pm

KEY

@ The Loft @The Historic Theater

For more show listings, please check our website.

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Writers in the Loft Dava Sobel

Innovation + Leadership Digital Portsmouth Wednesday, December 14 • 5:30pm The Music Hall Presents

Kent Stephens' The Ragpicker's Dream

Sat., Dec.17 • 1:30pm & Tue., Dec. 20 • 7pm Community Partner Portsmouth Symphony

Orchestra presents Family Holiday Pops Tuesday, December 20 • 7:30pm & Wednesday, December 21 • 7:30pm

Sunday, February 5 • 1pm

An Evening of Dance

The Music Hall Presents Momix: Opus Cactus

Saturday, February 18 • 8pm

Innovation + Leadership Florence Williams

Wednesday, February 22 • 7pm Opera Connection Rusalka

Saturday, February 25 • 11:30am Met @ The Music Hall Rusalka (Dvořák)

Saturday, February 25 • 1pm

March 2017 Hilarity Marc Maron: The Too Real Tour

Friday, March 3 • 8pm

Met @ The Music Hall La Traviata (Verdi)

Saturday, March 11 • 1pm

The Music Hall Presents The Ten Tenors

Sunday, March 12 • 4pm Intimately Yours Solas

Friday, March 17 • 8pm Rental Partner Seacoast Asset Management

presents: The Boston Irish Comedy Tour Saturday, March 18 • 8pm

The Music Hall Presents The Moth Mainstage

Saturday, March 25 • 8pm

Met @ The Music Hall Idomeneo (Mozart)

Sunday, March 26 • 1pm

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bringing the arts home...

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Located in the heart of Portsmouth, Portwalk Place offers the very best in residential city living, hotels, and dining options, all within a 1-minute walk to the Music Hall. Make Portwalk Place a part of your next Portsmouth experience!

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