December 2020 Magazine

OUR HISTORIC THEATER IS NOW OPEN FOR SOCIALLY DISTANCED SHOWS! NOW MAGAZINE • DECEMBER 2020

THE MUSIC HALL’S HOLIDAY MEDLEY Intimate and elegant cabaret shows, festive films, and the classic holiday programming you love!

Stage Door Cabaret

MATT NAKOA 12/11

Stage Door Cabaret

CELIA WOODSMITH & JASON ANICK TRIO 12/12 Live at the Historic Theater

BOSTON CAMERATA 12/22

Credit: Michael Winters

SEASON SPONSORS

To learn about our just announced or rescheduled shows, sign up for enews at TheMusicHall.org

KEEPING YOU SAFE DURING COVID-19 What We’re Doing to Keep You and Our Staff Safe: • We are following guidance issued by the Governor’s task force and CDC, as well as adding other safety measures.

• Staff and volunteers will be wearing masks and have been trained on the proper measures for use of PPE. • Our new and upgraded HVAC system is installed with medical-grade filtration and iWave ionization. We increased the circulation rates on a 24-hour cycle.

• We created order from your seat, contactless concessions! You can order your snacks and beverages at the show by scanning the QR code at your seat.

• Seats have been spaced with 6 feet of distance between groups—please socially distance in common areas where possible.

What We’re Asking You to Do When You Visit: • If you are feeling sick, have symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, loss of smell or taste, muscle aches, sore throat, cough, shortness of breath, chills, headache, gastrointestinal issues), or if you have been exposed to someone who has tested positive to COVID-19, please stay home!

• We’re asking you to protect yourself, our staff, and our community by wearing a mask in all communal areas. You may remove your mask while sitting in your seat, but please wear your mask while entering, exiting, and if you visit concessions or the restrooms.

For the most up-to-date information visit: TheMusicHall.org/Reopening

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Specifically, how you prefer to hear from us! Take a short survey on how you’d like us to continue to communicate with you. Please fill out our survey at TheMusicHall.org/TMHCommunications by Tuesday, December 15.

A NOTE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR RE-ENVISIONING THE HOLIDAYS TINA SAWTELLE, Executive Director Winter is fast approaching and when the weather outside is frightful, inside The Music Hall is always delightful! The Music Hall staff and I welcome you to come inside, out of the cold for some live entertainment this holiday season!

Thanks to the love and support of Paul and Jessica McKeon, the Stage Door Cabaret series will bring the audience on stage Credit: PizzutiPhotography.com

with the artist. Enjoy small gathering-style seating for your family or bubble buddies, in a socially-distanced martini bar atmosphere. The cabaret will have a little something for everyone, and I hope you’ll join us on stage for this brand new

series (more on page 4). We also have some great live shows inside the Hall, again, socially distanced, as well as holiday films on the big screen, including a Music Hall favorite, Elf! For the Loft, we have partnered with the very talented Malloy Events team to create a holiday shoppe! You can pre-order flower arrangements and pick up your wreaths, as well as shop the special items handpicked for the holiday season.

We couldn’t put these shows on without the support of our members, patrons, and partners. With everything going on, it’s important that we all take stock of the people around us and lift each other up. We are so grateful for all of you who have helped us out during this pandemic.

As winter approaches, we’re in for more challenging times. The Music Hall has weathered many storms (and winters) for nearly 150 years, and we will make it through this one too. But we need your help. Please consider a donation or membership this holiday season and keep the arts alive. By helping us stay vibrant through the winter, we can continue to do the work we need to do, letting a little light shine through. More information at TheMusicHall.org/donate.

As I look out at the big, warm Hall, I’m encouraged by the acts that will soon grace the stage, by the folks dressed to the nines, and the laughter from staff, volunteers, and patrons greeting each other once again. Happy Holidays and we hope to see you soon.

2

603.436.2400

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT You Make Our Holidays Bright!

To those of you who will be visiting The Music Hall this month to continue your holiday traditions, thank you!

We are excited to welcome you. With our newly installed state-of-the-art HVAC system, adjusted seating plans carefully designed to allow for spacious seating for limited audiences, and contactless concessions services, you can feel comfortable attending Music Hall events. Release some holiday tension with A Very Ida Christmas on December 20, seek solace with the Boston Camerata on December 22, or bid adieu to 2020 (phew) with Juston McKinney on December 26 and 27.

When you’re in the house for these shows, you can order your drinks and snacks online, right from your seat, and we’ll bring your order to you! While you’re treating yourself, take a moment to appreciate our fine front of house sponsors: the New Hampshire Liquor Commission (who just renewed their

THIS MONTH’S MEMBER EVENT BOOK CLUB:

STILL LIFE

BY LOUISE PENNY Moderated by Gail VanHoy Carolan Mon., 12/14 • 6pm Historic Theater

support), ReVision Energy (hooray for compostable cups!), Bluedrop Water, Carpe Diem coffee, and Popzup Popcorn.

If you want to support those who support The Music Hall,

For more information, contact the B2W Box Office at 603.436.2400

find out more about these and our other sponsors at TheMusicHall.org/OurPartners.

And of course, be sure to let your friends and neighbors know how much you enjoyed your visit. Word of mouth is so very valuable in this business! We appreciate your support and advocacy on our behalf.

proud supporters of the Music hall

bringing the arts home...

The ArTs Are The Answer to vibrant and prosperous communities where we treasure our heritage, celebrate our diversity and nurture our ingenuity.

TheMusicHall.org

3

JUST ANNOUNCED STAGE DOOR CABARET

HOLIDAY CO-OP SHOPPE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MALLOY EVENTS November 27 - December 23 Wednesdays - Sundays • 12pm - 7:30pm The Music Hall and Malloy Events are partnering to bring you a cornucopia of holiday cheer, in a socially-distanced holiday shop in our elegant and intimate Loft venue.

“We really wanted to bring the holiday season to our community since so many events have been cancelled or postponed and we thought creating a little holiday nook in downtown Portsmouth would be a great idea,” said Kate Malloy of Malloy Events. “We love working with fellow creatives and when we started brainstorming ideas, things just came together.”

The Holiday Co-op Shoppe will offer preordered floral arrangements for pick-up in different styles, such as classic, rustic, whimsical, and in varying sizes. Custom wreaths and garlands, ready-to-go items, and perfect host/ess gifts will also be available for all of your holiday needs.

Great branded merchandise, holiday cards, and gift giving items will help make this challenging time of the year a bit easier in our one-stop decorating shop!

Credit: Michael Winters

As tough as we are, even New Englanders have to go inside at some point...So we’re replicating the arrangement of our Live Under the Arch series framed by the gorgeous arch on Chestnut Street, and adapting to create the new Stage Door Cabaret series! World-renowned artists and much beloved favorites will grace the stage, as will you!

Imagine entering a cool, speakeasy club through the grand stage doors (tall enough for huge set pieces and even, once upon a time, elephants!) to step on the same stage as many of your favorite artists have done. Tables are socially-distanced and arranged for small gatherings, so you and your pod can enjoy professional table service, sharable bites, and tasty beverages. And to your right, the whole auditorium opens up for stunning views from your seat on stage.

Paul and Jessica McKeon loved the cabaret concept so much, they stepped

STAGE

up to underwrite this fun new series! Generous philanthropists, Paul is the

24”

CEO of B2W Software and Jessica is a hardworking

24”

24”

24”

BACKSTAGE

member of our board of trustees. With their

36”

support, we’ve been able

36”

48”

to program a huge range of musical genres: opera,

36”

24”

24”

Broadway, R&B, folk, jazz, rock, country, and more!

AUDIO 24”

Don’t let your holidays pass by, dull and dreary—add some cheer with decorations and gifts from some local events organizations!

be serving up some serious 36”

603.436.2400

36”

OPERA BOX

seasonal cocktails!

We hope you’ll join us at

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH: 4

And the McKeon’s Bar will

36”

the Stage Door Cabaret this STAGE DOOR (ENTRANCE)

month. But don’t worry, no password necessary!

ON STAGE: STAGE DOOR CABARET STAGE DOOR CABARET Paul & Jessica McKeon IS PRESENTED BY:

UTE GFRERER

Sat., November 28 • 6pm & 8pm Ute Gfrerer will lead us into the holidays with her varied repertoire from classical, opera, and Broadway.

TAYLOR O’DONNELL QUARTET Sat., December 5 • 6pm & 8pm

Taylor O’Donnell mixes her unique sound and roots in R&B, folk, jazz, rock, and classical music with beloved winter favorites.

TheMusicHall.org

5

ON STAGE: STAGE DOOR CABARET STAGE DOOR CABARET Paul & Jessica McKeon IS PRESENTED BY:

MATT NAKOA

Fri., December 11 • 6pm & 8pm • Historic Theater Matt Nakoa is an award-winning folk singer-songwriter whose music is a spellbinding blend of pop, soul, and classical influences. He appears regularly with folk music icon Tom Rush.

CELIA WOODSMITH & JASON ANICK TRIO

Sat., December 12 • 6pm & 8pm • Historic Theater A new supergroup featuring Della Mae’s Celia Woodsmith, Jason Anick, and Charles Clements, performing an array of roots, country, swing, and bluegrass music.

6

603.436.2400

ON STAGE: STAGE DOOR CABARET STAGE DOOR CABARET Paul & Jessica McKeon IS PRESENTED BY:

TREASON QUARTET FT. STUART DIAS OF SOGGY PO’ BOYS Thu., December 17 • 6pm & 8pm • Historic Theater

Playing a versatile combo of traditional swing jazz and everything from Irving Berlin, Hank Williams, Louis Armstrong, and Dolly Parton—this group explores the simplicity and elegance of music.

SHARON JONES QUARTET

Sat., December 19 • 6pm & 8pm Historic Theater Portsmouth gem Sharon Jones lights up the historic stage with riff-driven, highenergy R&B and Blues tunes that will have you dancing in your seat!

TheMusicHall.org

7

ON STAGE HILARITY SERIES SPONSORS:

LIVE AT THE HISTORIC THEATER SERIES SPONSORS:

HILARITY A

VERY IDA CHRISTMAS

Sun., December 20 • 2pm Historic Theater

One of Portland Magazine’s “Ten Most Intriguing People in Maine,” awardwinning writer and performer Susan Poulin presents her alter ego, Ida LeClair, and her hilarious holiday show.

LIVE AT THE HISTORIC THEATER

BOSTON CAMERATA

Tue., December 22 • 7pm Historic Theater An American Christmas with The Boston Camerata will feature seasonal music from the best of our very own New England traditions. A much-needed lift to the human spirit in these difficult times!

HILARITY JUSTON

MCKINNEY: LAST LAUGH: A YEAR IN REVIEW Sat., December 26 • 5pm & 8pm Sun., December 27 • 5pm & 8pm Historic Theater

End the year with laughter with the Seacoast’s own Juston McKinney!

8

603.436.2400

ON SCREEN EXTRAORDINARY CINEMA SERIES SPONSOR:

PRESENTING CINEMA SPONSOR:

A CHRISTMAS STORY (1983) PG

•

1h 34m • US

Tue., December 1 • 7pm “You’ll shoot your eye out!” This beloved holiday movie follows the wintry exploits of youngster Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley), who spends most of his time dodging a bully (Zack Ward) and dreaming of his ideal Christmas gift, a “Red Ryder air rifle.”

CLARA’S DREAM (2004) NR

•

ELF (2003) PG

•

1h 37m • US

Tue., December 15 • 7pm Buddy (Will Ferrell) was accidentally transported to the North Pole as a toddler and raised to adulthood among Santa’s elves. Unable to shake the feeling that he doesn’t fit in, the adult Buddy travels to New York, in full elf uniform, in search of his real father.

1h 40m • US

Wed., December 16 7pm Presented in partnership with The Dance Hall, Kittery. Locally grown, nationally known, Clara’s Dream: A Jazz Nutcracker thrilled audiences from New York to New Hampshire for almost 10 years. A high-voltage swinging and sophisticated adaptation of Tchaikovsky’s fairytale ballet, Clara’s Dream is a joyous jazz and tap celebration. Originally filmed at The Music Hall in 2004 by Robert Pierce.

•

HOLIDAY FILM SPONSOR: AARP New Hampshire

IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE (1946) PG

•

2h 10m • US

Wed., December 23 • 2pm After George Bailey (James Stewart) wishes he had never been born, an angel (Henry Travers) is sent to earth to make George’s wish come true.

George starts to realize how many lives he has changed and impacted, and how they would be different if he was never there.

HOST YOUR OWN MOVIE NIGHT AT THE MUSIC HALL Host your own private movie screening for up to 30 guests! Imagine snacking​on popcorn, laughing with friends, family, or coworkers, and enjoying your c​ hoice of all-time favorite movies in the privacy​and comfort of your own theater with plenty of space for social distancing.

Dates are filling up fast, weekdays may be your best bet! Book online at TheMusicHall.org/PrivateScreening TheMusicHall.org

9

10

603.436.2400

LEGEND

DECEMBER 2020

Schedule subject to change, please check TheMusicHall.org for updated calendar B2W Box Office at the Historic Theater: 28 Chestnut St. Hours: Tuesday - Saturday, noon - 6pm

SUNDAY

MONDAY TUESDAY

15

16

17

ONLINE HOLIDAY AUCTION

22

The Loft: 131 Congress Street

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

18

19

20

21

24

25

ONLINE HOLIDAY AUCTION ENDS

29

Holiday Co-op Shoppe 12pm-7:30pm

6

ONLINE HOLIDAY AUCTION

BiddingForGood.com/TheMusicHallAuction2020

23

30

26

27

28

THANKSGIVING BOX OFFICE CLOSED

BOX OFFICE CLOSED

Holiday Co-op Shoppe 12pm-7:30pm

3

4

Holiday Co-op Shoppe Music 12pm-7:30pm Ute Gfrerer 6pm & 8pm

DEC 1

2

Movie

Holiday Co-op Shoppe Holiday Co-op Shoppe Holiday Co-op Shoppe Holiday Co-op Shoppe 12pm-7:30pm 12pm-7:30pm 12pm-7:30pm 12pm-7:30pm

A Christmas Story (1983) 7pm

7

8

Holiday Co-op Shoppe 12pm-7:30pm

Taylor O’Donnell Quartet 6pm & 8pm

9

10

11

14

Holiday Co-op Shoppe 12pm-7:30pm

Book Club Movie 6pm Elf (2003) 7pm

Music

Music

15

16

17

18

19

21

22

Movie

Music

23

24

Music

26

CHRISTMAS BOX OFFICE CLOSED

Comedy

31

JAN 1

2

NEW YEAR’S EVE BOX OFFICE CLOSED

NEW YEAR’S DAY BOX OFFICE CLOSED

Rental

Holiday Co-op Shoppe Holiday Co-op Shoppe CHRISTMAS EVE 12pm-7:30pm 12pm-7:30pm BOX OFFICE CLOSED

Comedy

Boston Camerata 7pm

Juston McKinney 5pm & 8pm

28

Music

Movie

29

30

Sharon Jones Quartet 6pm & 8pm

25

Holiday Co-op Shoppe 12pm-7:30pm A Very Ida Christmas 2pm

Celia Woodsmith & Jason Anick Trio 6pm & 8pm

Holiday Co-op Shoppe Holiday Co-op Shoppe Holiday Co-op Shoppe Holiday Co-op Shoppe 12pm-7:30pm 12pm-7:30pm 12pm-7:30pm 12pm-7:30pm Clara’s Dream (2004) Treason Quartet 7pm 6pm & 8pm

Comedy

12

Holiday Co-op Shoppe Holiday Co-op Shoppe Holiday Co-op Shoppe Holiday Co-op Shoppe 12pm-7:30pm 12pm-7:30pm 12pm-7:30pm 12pm-7:30pm

13

27

5

Music

Matt Nakoa 6pm & 8pm

20

At the Historic Theater At the Loft Offsite/Online

Juston McKinney 5pm & 8pm

It’s A Wonderful Life (1946) 2pm

Safe Haven Ballet’s The Nutcracker 2pm & 6pm

TheMusicHall.org

11

PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY:

Friends of The Music Hall 28 Chestnut Street Portsmouth, NH 03801

NON PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

PERMIT NO. 609 MANCHESTER, NH

VOLUME 8, ISSUE 12

THANK YOU TO OUR CORPORATE PARTNERS

JUSTON MCKINNEY DECEMBER 2020

12/26 & 12/27