NOW MAGAZINE • SEPTEMBER 2020
Live Under The Arch
JUSTON MCKINNEY 9/3
KAT EDMONSON 9/17 AYLA BROWN & ROB BELLAMY 9/24 Live at the Historic Theater
PORTS. SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: THE SOLDIER’S TALE 9/26
Credit: Kristen Bulger
SEASON SPONSORS
REOPENING UPDATE 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. • We’ve upgraded our systems and HVAC to increase safety, and are changing filters more often and increasing the circulation rates on a 24-hour cycle. • We created order-ahead, contactless concessions! You can order your snacks and beverages before the show. • We’re asking parties to leave 6 feet of space in all directions in between other parties, and we will be capping our indoor audiences at 50 people per show to start off.
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
The Music Hall Needs Your Help Thank you to all of you who have continued to support us through this time. The arts face an existential crisis. We were among the first to close and we’ll be the last to open fully. If you are able, please consider a financial gift. You could become a member, renew, or upgrade your membership. We know that it is a very uncertain time for many people, so if a financial gift isn’t in your budget, we understand; you can help us by just spreading the word. The arts are more than just nice to have—saving the arts and cultural organizations means saving downtowns and cities, as well as 12 million jobs nationwide. To donate, or for more information on membership: TheMusicHall.org/donate
ALREADY ON SALE LIVE AT THE HISTORIC THEATER
THE MAMMALS
LIVE AT THE HISTORIC THEATER
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SONS OF SERENDIP
LIVE AT THE HISTORIC THEATER
PATTY LARKIN
Fri., October 9 • 8pm • Historic Theater
Sat., October 17 • 8pm • Historic Theater
Sat., November 14 • 8pm • Historic Theater
The Mammals are a warm-blooded party band with a conscience, equally inspired by their folk predecessors and Americana peers.
The creative quartet Sons of Serendip’s emotionally stirring arrangements and fresh compositions make their way to the Historic Theater for a night of socially distanced music!
A visionary of sound and wonder, a real deal version of artistry made of equal parts guitar wizardry, vocals shot through with soul.
RESCHEDULED SHOWS LIVE AT THE HISTORIC THEATER
LIVE AT THE LOFT
INTIMATELY YOURS
INTIMATELY YOURS
Fri., October 2 • 8pm Historic Theater
Sat., March 27, 2021 • 8pm • Loft
Thu., September 2, 2021 • 8pm • Historic Theater
Sat., October 23, 2021 • 8pm Historic Theater
CHRIS TRAPPER
Chris Trapper has become a modern-day acoustic troubadour and storyteller, using his honeyed tenor and humor. 2
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ETHEL
The vibrant, adventurous string quartet sets the standard for contemporary concert music.
THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS
In honor of the album that made them an international act, they are celebrating Flood’s 30th anniversary.
ANGÉLIQUE KIDJO
Angélique Kidjo’s version of the Talking Heads’ Remain in Light adds electrifying rhythms and African guitars.
*Check website for ticket package details
CURATOR’S CORNER Join Us Under the Stars or in the AC! Thérèse LaGamma, Director of Programming; Chris Curtis, Film & Outreach Manager; and Brittany Wason, Literary Coordinator To this curator team (and the whole organization, really), there is nothing more exhilarating than the buzz of a show night: the cascade of applause, the hustle and bustle behind the curtain, and the excited chatter with patrons after the show. We missed that, just as we are sure you did. Thank you for your patience as we worked through programming challenges and safety protocols. We’ve lined up some entertainment for you whenever you’re ready to come back to the Hall. Inside the Historic Theater, we will be showing some of those movies you were looking forward to. Out front, we packed our Live Under the Arch (LUTA) series with local and regional favorites, as well as some familiar faces! Our resident orchestra, the Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra, will be back on our stages, having performed as a trio at LUTA and coming to the Historic Theater for “The Soldier’s Tale” this month (more on pg 4). You will see some changes to our calendar and procedures, thanks to COVID-19. LUTA will continue until the end of September and Loft shows will move over to the Historic Theater for more social distancing in the cooler months. The seats will be spread out and noted so you can find seats at least six feet away from your fellow patrons. And through it all, we remain focused on our town, the Seacoast, and our community as whole. Our mission to give back while putting on great shows is thanks to your support, whether it’s by purchasing tickets, donating, becoming a member, or simply spreading the word. Thank you for your patronage and support of your local arts center—we wouldn’t be here without you!
ON STAGE LIVE UNDER THE ARCH JUSTON
COMEDY AT A DISTANCE
MCKINNEY:
Thu., Sept. 3 • 6pm & 8pm • Chestnut St The Seacoast’s favorite, Juston McKinney, joins us for a hilarious evening! SERIES SPONSORS:
LIVESTREAM NICK FLYNN IN CONVERSATION WITH MARIE HOWE Wed., Sept. 9 • 7pm • Streaming
LIVE UNDER THE ARCH KAT
EDMONSON
A searing memoir from the critically acclaimed author on how childhood spills into parenthood.
A rare musician who embodies the spirit of the past while remaining resolutely au courant.
Thu., Sept. 17 • 6pm & 8pm • Chestnut St
SERIES SPONSORS:
SERIES SPONSORS: Piscataqua Landscaping & Tree Service
INNOVATION + LEADERSHIP
CREATIVEMORNINGS PKX Fri., Sept. 18 • 9am Streaming
A local chapter of the global lecture series for creatives, featuring a local speaker on the month’s topic. Photo: RayaOnAssignment.com
SERIES SPONSORS: Bangor Savings Bank; Atlantic Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine MEDIA PARTNER:
LIVE AT THE HISTORIC THEATER
LIVE UNDER THE ARCH
AYLA BROWN & ROB BELLAMY
Thu., Sept. 24 6pm & 8pm Chestnut St After finding each other in Nashville, the Massachusetts natives and new country duo bring their music back to New England. •
SERIES SPONSORS:
•
PORTSMOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA:
THE SOLDIER’S TALE
Sat., Sept. 26 • 7:30pm • Historic Theater This folklike narrative interweaves music, theatre, and dance to tell a tale of fortune, fate, and man’s search for meaning. MEDIA PARTNERS:
Live Free Print & Frame
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HERE & NOW
Visit TheMusicHall.org/Blog for more behind-the-scenes info!
Portsmouth Symphony Presents Music, Theatre, and Dance—all in one! The Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra (PSO) has long wowed us with their exciting and fresh performances, rooted in craft and community. We always look forward to our resident orchestra’s Mainstage shows throughout the year. While many rehearsal and performance spaces have been closed, the PSO has been working on a creative solution. The result is this month’s performance of Stravinsky’s “The Soldier’s Tale (L’histoire du soldat)” on Saturday, September 26. Considered one of the 20th century’s little masterworks, this will be performed by seven musicians from the Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra, conducted by music director John Page, and four actors from Tufts University, under the stage direction of Carol Mastrodomenico. This folklike, dramatic narrative weaves music, theatre, and dance together for a show that will astound you. We hope you will join us for this stunning (and social distanced) show inside the Historic Theater. Although the PSO has been The Music Hall’s resident orchestra for only a year, this partnership makes perfect sense by marrying two organizations with deep backgrounds in serving the community through high quality art and education. By distinguishing the PSO as our resident orchestra, they are provided with box office subscription services, specialized marketing services, and seasonally based programming support to put on the vibrant concerts you know and love. We are looking forward to their return on our stage and we can’t wait to see what they come up with next. 4
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Leaving a Legacy
Credit: Sydney Bilodeau
The 1878 Legacy Society was created to recognize the generosity of individuals and families who have made, or provided for, gifts to The Music Hall in their estate plans. Members of the 1878 Legacy Society are helping to ensure the long-term viability and success of The Music Hall for future generations. Please join us in thanking these individuals who have prioritized The Music Hall, identifying it as a place that exhilarates, engages, and transforms our patrons’ lives while creating a sense of community. To learn more about leaving a legacy, or if you’ve made plans and haven’t yet made us aware, please contact us so we can express our gratitude. Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Aeschliman, Esq.
Wendy Lynne Klodt*
Francis Aguilar*
Tannye Wold & Stephen Kosacz
Regina Baraban
Josephine A. Lamprey
Jude Blake
Donna Ryan & Andy Livingston
Jim* & Gail VanHoy Carolan
Bob Lord & Laura Reagan
David & Elizabeth Choate
Mr. & Mrs. Edward J. Mallon
Geoffrey & Martha Fuller Clark
Jay & Suzanne McFarland
Elizabeth & Ed Cole
Jay McSharry
Robert & Dorothy Davidson*
Edward Mehigen
David & Karen Della Penta
Bob Merriman*
Dean Diggins
Maxine Morse
Stephen & Susanne Falzone in memory of Robert & Dorothy Davidson*
Doug & Karin Cullity Nelson
C. Dennis Fink
Marianne Pernold*
Lois Fonda*
Anna Porter
Dean Fournier
Elisabeth Robinson
Barbara Franzoso & Robert LeGros
Harry Schult*
Jameson French & Priscilla Stevens French
Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Schwarz, Esq.
Mark & Julie Geller
Peter Squires
Michael & Cynthia Harvell
Mark B. Stevens*
Jo Haskell
Joan White*
Arthur Heard*
Diane F. Woods
George & Juliana Patten
David Hills & Catherine McLaughlin-Hills *Deceased
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT Celebrating a Decade of Season Sponsorship The Music Hall is delighted to celebrate a milestone this season as The Labrie Group and The River House, our first and longest-standing Season Sponsor, celebrates their 10th anniversary in that role. We are so grateful for their generous support and for all they do for our community. The Labrie Group is owned and operated by brothers Michael and Peter Labrie, who describe their family as being “motivated by a passionate commitment to local history, arts and culture, culinary excellence and community involvement.” The family supports a number of area arts and cultural organizations, individually and through their restaurants The River House, The Atlantic Grill, and (opening Summer 2021) Jimmy’s On Congress — the new downtown music club they are creating in Portsmouth’s historic 1905 YMCA building.
Credit: Rick Dumont Images
Since signing on as the first Season Sponsor a decade ago, the Labries have continued to expand their commitment. Their steadfastness has motivated others to sponsor and sponsorship retention has increased significantly with the example they have set. The Labrie Group’s support directly benefits you and the more than 110,000 patrons who come through our doors each year to experience quality arts programs. Their ongoing commitment has enabled us to develop lasting partnerships to provide educational opportunities for some 60 community organizations. The impact of the family’s support for the arts at The Music Hall is experienced far and wide. Should you have the opportunity, please let the Labries and all of our corporate partners know how much you appreciate their support of The Music Hall and, by extension, our Seacoast community.
TheMusicHall.org
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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.
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AT A GLANCE
B2W BOX OFFICE @ THE HISTORIC THEATER: 28 Chestnut Street
At the Historic Theater At the Loft
At press time, the information below was the most up-to-date, but likely there will be changes by the time you receive this magazine. For updates on our ability to offer programming, please visit TheMusicHall.org and sign up for our enews.
SEPTEMBER
DECEMBER
MARCH 2021
Live Under The Arch
The Ogunquit Playhouse at The Music Hall presents
Live at the Loft
Thursday, September 3 • 6pm & 8pm
Wed., November 25 - Sun., December 13
Saturday, March 27 • 8pm
Juston McKinney: Comedy at a Distance
Irving Berlin’s White Christmas the Musical
ETHEL (NEW DATE)
Writers: Livestream
Hilarity
School Days Series
Wednesday, September 9 • 7pm
Saturday, December 12 • 8pm
Tuesday, March 30 • 9:30am & 11:30am
Nick Flynn
Hari Kondabolu (NEW DATE)
Live Under The Arch
Hilarity
Thursday, September 17 • 6pm & 8pm
Saturday, December 26 • 5pm & 8pm; Sunday, December 27 • 5pm
Kat Edmonson
Innovation + Leadership
Juston McKinney: Last Laugh: A Year In Review
CreativeMornings PKX (Livestream)
The Music Hall Presents
Live Under The Arch
Thursday, December 31 • 8pm
Friday, September 18 • 9am
Ayla Brown & Rob Bellamy
Thursday, September 24 • 6pm & 8pm
New Year’s Eve Champagne Pops with the Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra
Live at the Historic Theater
JANUARY 2021
Saturday, September 26 • 7:30pm
Hilarity
Ports. Symphony Orchestra: The Soldier’s Tale
Brian Regan (NEW DATE)
Thu., January 21 & Friday, Jan. 22 • 8pm
OCTOBER Live at the Historic Theater
Chris Trapper (NEW DATE) Friday, October 2 • 8pm
FEBRUARY 2021 Intimately Yours
Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy (NEW DATE)
Live at the Historic Theater
Sunday, February 28 • 4pm
Friday, October 9 • 8pm
MARCH 2021
The Mammals
Innovation + Leadership
Kimberly Hamlin (NEW DATE)
The Music Hall Presents
Live at the Historic Theater
Thursday, March 4 • 7:30pm
Thursday, October 15 • 7pm
Masters of Illusion: Believe the Impossible
Sons of Serendip
Intimately Yours
Intimately Yours
Sunday, March 7 • 7pm
Saturday, October 17 • 8pm
Josh Turner (NEW DATE)
Saturday, October 24 • 8pm
NOVEMBER Online Holiday Auction
Sunday, November 8- Sunday, November 22 Writers in the Historic Theater
Martha Ackmann (NEW DATE)
Tuesday, November 10 • 7pm Rental Partner
DSP Shows: Wailin’ Jennys (NEW DATE) Friday, November 13 • 7:30pm Live at the Historic Theater
Patty Larkin
Saturday, November 14 • 8pm
Dan Brown’s Wild Symphony Benefit Concert Sunday, November 15 • 2pm
The Ogunquit Playhouse at The Music Hall presents
Irving Berlin’s White Christmas the Musical Wed., November 25 - Sun., December 13
Show listings/dates are subject to change
Rosie Revere, Engineer & Friends
APRIL 2021 School Days Series
Giraffes Can’t Dance - The Musical
Wednesday, April 7 • 9:30am & 11:30am Hilarity
Steven Rogers (NEW DATE) Saturday, April 17 • 8pm Intimately Yours
Melissa Etheridge: 2021 Tour (NEW DATE) Wednesday, April 21 • 7:30pm Hilarity
Whose Live Anyway? (NEW DATE) Friday, April 30 • 8pm
MAY 2021 School Days Series
Pete’s Big Hollywood Adventure
Tuesday, May 4 • 9:30am & 11:30am School Days Series
Have a Wild Time with the Portsmouth Symphony! Tuesday, May 11 • 9:30am & 11:30am School Days Series
It’s Okay To Be Different—Stories by Todd Parr Wednesday, May 19 • 9:30am & 11:30am
The Tallest Man on Earth (NEW DATE) School Days Series
JUNE 2021
Monday, March 8 • 9:30am & 11:30am
Intimately Yours
Intimately Yours
Wednesday, June 2 • 7:30pm
The Pout-Pout Fish
Lyle Lovett & His Acoustic Group (NEW DATE)
Keb’ Mo’ (NEW DATE)
Friday, March 12 • 8pm
Hilarity
School Days Series
Saturday, June 26 • 8pm
The Very Hungry Caterpillar & Other Eric Carle Classics
Kevin Nealon (NEW DATE)
Wednesday, March 17 • 9:30am & 11:30am Intimately Yours
The Mavericks (NEW DATE)
Thursday, March 18 & Friday, March 19 • 8pm The Music Hall Presents
The Moth Mainstage (NEW DATE) Saturday, March 20 • 8pm Hilarity
Justin Willman: Magic in Real Life Tour (NEW DATE) Saturday, March 27 • 8pm
THIS MONTH’S MEMBER EVENTS BOOK CLUB THE GREAT ALONE BY KRISTIN HANNAH Mon., 9/14 • 6pm
For more information, contact Jess Bunker at 603.766.2176 or JBunker@themusichall.org TheMusicHall.org
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PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY:
Friends of The Music Hall 28 Chestnut Street Portsmouth, NH 03801
NON PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
PORTSMOUTH, NH PERMIT NO. 202
VOLUME 8, ISSUE 9
THANK YOU TO OUR CORPORATE PARTNERS
KAT EDMONSON 9/17
SEPTEMBER 2020
NEW SHOWS & EVENTS ARE ADDED ALL THE TIME! Sign up for enews at TheMusicHall.org Be the first to know about: Just Announced shows • Last-minute schedule changes • Special offers for our subscribers!