NOW MAGAZINE • OCTOBER/MID-NOVEMBER 2021
Hilarity
WHOSE LIVE ANYWAY? 10/8
Intimately Yours
SCOTT BRADLEE'S POSTMODERN JUKEBOX 10/10
Intimately Yours
THE MAVERICKS 10/26 & 27 Hilarity
BRIAN REGAN 11/10 & 11*
*ON THE COVER
SEASON SPONSORS
ON SALE NOW
Be the first to know about Just Announced shows! Sign up for enews at TheMusicHall.org HILARITY JUSTON
MCKINNEY: A YEAR IN REVIEW
Sun., December 26 • 6pm; Mon., December 27 • 6pm; Tue., December 28 • 7pm • Historic Theater
End the year with laughter as the Seacoast’s own Juston McKinney performs what have become annual must-see shows at The Music Hall!
27TH ANNUAL SCHOOL DAYS SERIES Top-caliber affordable (only $7!) shows that entertain children from 80 Seacoast Pre-K to Middle School groups, homeschoolers, and families. Any group is welcome.
WARRIORS DON'T CRY
Mon., February 7 • 9:30am & 11:30am
ROSIE REVERE, ENGINEER & FRIENDS Wed., March 9 • 9:30am & 11:30am
THE ADVENTURES OF HAROLD AND THE PURPLE CRAYON Mon., March 14 • 9:30am & 11:30am
PORTSMOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA PRESENTS DAN BROWN'S WILD SYMPHONY
RENTAL PARTNERS
Tue., May 10 • 10am & 12:30pm
BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS NH PRESENTS LET’S GO CRAZY FOR THE 80S
WARREN MILLER PRESENTS WINTER STARTS NOW
Sat., November 6 • 7pm • Historic Theater
Thu., November 18 • 7:30pm; Fri., November 19 • 6pm & 9pm; Sat., November 20 • 4pm & 7pm • Historic Theater
The Big Brothers Big Sisters of New Hampshire concert for a cause is back. Join us for a fun-filled night of 80s retro with two bands and a killer DJ.
Celebrate 72 years of snow riding with Warren Miller’s Winter Starts Now, and venture from the ski hill down the street to the highest peak on the horizon.
COVID-19 UPDATES For up-to-date information about what we're doing to keep you safe and what to do when you visit, go to TheMusicHall.org/CovidProtocols
EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS
MAGAZINE
Monte Bohanan
Tina Sawtelle
Gail VanHoy Carolan
Wesley Lovell
Sara Turner
Brittany Wason
THANK YOU TO OUR CORPORATE PARTNERS
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DESIGN Kaitlyn Huwe
CURATOR’S CORNER Looking Back, Looking Forward
Met at The Music Hall 21-22 Season
BRITTANY WASON, Literary Producer & Content Manager
BORIS GODUNOV (Mussorgsky)
Here at The Music Hall, an American Treasure and historic landmark, it
Approx. runtime: 2h 20m
feels like history is being made every day inside and outside our doors. New
FIRE SHUT UP IN MY BONES* (Blanchard)
partnerships and collaborations are formed, and artists step onto our stages for the first time. And as we move forward into the 2021-2022 season, we must pay homage to everything that came before us.
Sat., October 9 • 12:55pm
Sun., October 31 • 12:55pm
Approx. runtime: 2h 40m, 30m intermission
EURYDICE* (Aucoin)
Sat., January 8 • 12:55pm
It’s already proving to be a memorable season with sold out shows, the return of celebrated acts,
Approx. runtime: 2h 45m, 30m intermission
a Broadway musical—and everything a pandemic brings as well. The new season will feature
CINDERELLA* (Massenet) Sat., January 15 • 12:55pm
everything you love and have missed. With a busy fall, we look forward to what we hope to be a phenomenal winter and spring. We kick off the historic year with the completion of the Bite-sized History video series by historian J. Dennis Robinson and filmmaker Jay Childs. Dennis brings his characteristic wit and 400 years worth of Portsmouth’s history to the small screen in digestible bites, and trust me, this guy can make you giggle! In more recent history, we’ve learned the importance of connecting in any way we can, be it over a screen (and often across the country or farther), or outside in the sun with local artists and friends. As the community has rallied together in the past, let’s continue to do so now. Take care of one another, and we will make it through this. See you soon.
HERE & NOW
Approx. runtime: 1h 35m
RIGOLETTO (Verdi)
Sat., January 29 • 12:55pm
Approx. runtime: 3h 10m, two 30m intermissions
ARIADNE AUF NAXOS* (R. Strauss) Sun., March 20 • 12:55pm
Approx. runtime: 2h 50m, 40m intermission
DON CARLOS* (Verdi) Sun., April 3 • 12pm
Approx. runtime: 4h 55m, two 30m intermissions
Visit TheMusicHall.org/Blog for more behind-the-scenes info!
TURANDOT (Puccini)
Sat., May 7 • 12:55pm
Approx. runtime: 3h 15m, two 30m intermissions
LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR (Donizetti) Sat., May 21 • 12:55pm
Approx. runtime: 3h 25m, two 30m intermissions
HAMLET* (Dean)
Sun., June 12 • 12:55pm
Approx. runtime: 3h 15m, 30m intermission Schedule subject to change
*Due to The Music Hall programming,
A Fire in the Bones, Passion in the Soul
Fire Shut Up in My Bones (Blanchard)
Rarely does one artist reach so many different audiences and genres as Terence Blanchard will in a span of just two weeks. The Grammy Award–winning jazz musician and composer’s adaptation of Charles M. Blow’s memoir will premiere on the Met stage, beaming to The Music Hall on Sunday, October 31. Fire Shut Up in My Bones, which tells the profound story of a young man’s journey to overcome a life of trauma and hardship, is the first opera presented by a Black composer and brings stunning new voices to our Met audience. Just two weeks later on November 13, Blanchard will hit The Music Hall stage (both in-person and virtual!) with two quartets to celebrate the life and work of his mentor Wayne Shorter. A revolutionary performer and composer, Shorter’s legacy lives on in his protege and fellow composer Blanchard. For this special performance, Blanchard unites the internationally acclaimed The E-Collective with Grammy Award-winning Turtle Island Quartet—tickets are still
this opera will be broadcast after its live date.
Opera Connection Opera aficionado/writer-producer Dennis Neil Kleinman leads lively discussions of select opera broadcasts.
SEASON PREVIEW
Sat., Oct. 2 • 2pm • Historic Theater
ARIADNE AUF NAXOS
Sun., Mar. 20 • 11am • Loft
DON CARLOS
Sun., April 3 • 10am • Loft
LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR
Sat., May 21 • 11am • Loft
available in the Historic Theater or livestreamed to your device! TheMusicHall.org
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ON STAGE
HILARITY SERIES SPONSORS:
OCTOBER/MID-NOVEMBER
INTIMATELY YOURS SERIES SPONSORS:
H A M P T O N F O R D
H Y U N D A I
HILARITY
WHOSE LIVE ANYWAY?
Fri., October 8 • 8pm • Historic Theater All the fun of the TV show but live in the Historic Theater and completely improvised, based on your suggestions! EVENING SPONSORS: Beswick Engineering; Carpe Diem Coffee Roasting Company; Leddy Group
INTIMATELY YOURS SCOTT
BRADLEE’S POSTMODERN JUKEBOX
Sun., October 10 • 7pm • Historic Theater
Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox is bringing the Roaring ‘20s to the 2020s! This unique musical experience will have an ever-evolving, revolving collective of performers playing popular music in period styles. EVENING SPONSORS: Leone, McDonnell and Roberts, PA; UNH Conferences & Catering 4
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ON STAGE
INTIMATELY YOURS SERIES SPONSORS:
OCTOBER/MID-NOVEMBER
H A M P T O N F O R D
H Y U N D A I
INTIMATELY YOURS CHRIS
THILE
Mon., October 11 • 7:30pm • Historic Theater MacArthur Fellow and Grammy Award-winning mandolinist, singer-songwriter, and Punch Brothers founding member, Chris Thile is a “genre-defying musical genius” (NPR).
INTIMATELY YOURS JOSH
TURNER
Fri., October 22 • 8pm • Historic Theater With his rich, deep voice and distinctive style, Nashville recording artist Josh Turner is one of country music’s most recognizable hit-makers. EVENING SPONSORS: Daystar, Inc; TMS Architects TheMusicHall.org
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ON STAGE
OCTOBER/MID-NOVEMBER
INTIMATELY YOURS SERIES SPONSORS:
H A M P T O N F O R D
INTIMATELY YOURS THE
H Y U N D A I
MAVERICKS
Tue., October 26 • 7:30pm & Wed., October 27 • 7:30pm • Historic Theater Celebrated as one the most exciting and joyfully entertaining acts in all of music, The Mavericks are true originals. EVENING SPONSORS:
Harbor Advisory Corporation
RENTAL PARTNER/RESIDENT ORCHESTRA
PORTS. SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA FALL CONCERT
INTIMATELY YOURS
The full Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra returns for the Mainstage Season Opening Celebration.
Fri., October 29 • 8pm • Historic Theater
Sun., October 24 • 3pm • Historic Theater
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603.436.2400
ELVIS COSTELLO & THE IMPOSTERS (SOLD OUT) EVENING SPONSORS: Eastern Bank; Mad*Pow; Petersen Engineering
ON STAGE
HILARITY SERIES SPONSORS:
OCTOBER/MID-NOVEMBER
INTIMATELY YOURS SERIES SPONSORS:
H A M P T O N F O R D
H Y U N D A I
HILARITY
JUSTIN WILLMAN
Thu., November 4 • 7:30pm • Historic Theater Named the “freshest and funniest magician working today,” Justin is the star of Netflix’s Magic for Humans and a writer for shows like America’s Got Talent and The Goldbergs. EVENING SPONSORS:
BANKW Staffing; Digital Prospectors
INTIMATELY YOURS
LETTUCE
Sun., November 7 • 8pm • Historic Theater Hailed as one of the greatest modern funk bands, Grammy Award-nominated Lettuce combines funk with hip-hop, rock, psychedelia, jazz, soul, and go-go. EVENING SPONSOR: oHive
HILARITY
BRIAN REGAN
Wed., November 10 • 8pm & Thu., November 11 • 8pm • Historic Theater Brian Regan is one of the best comedians performing today. His comedy, big enough for everyone, sharp enough for you, and keeps audiences coming back time and again. EVENING SPONSOR: Eastern Bank
TheMusicHall.org
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ON STAGE
OCTOBER/MID-NOVEMBER
INTIMATELY YOURS SERIES SPONSORS:
H A M P T O N F O R D
H Y U N D A I
INTIMATELY YOURS ABSENCE:
TERENCE BLANCHARD FT. THE E-COLLECTIVE & TURTLE ISLAND QUARTET
Sat., November 13 • 8pm • Historic Theater & Livestream
Terence Blanchard celebrates the life and legacy of mentor, Wayne Shorter, with breathtaking strings alongside young musical pioneers, The E-Collective and Turtle Island Quartet.
CINEMA EXHIBITION ON SCREEN SERIES SPONSORS: Sheehan Phinney
OCTOBER MET AT THE MUSIC HALL SERIES SPONSORS: RiverWoods Exeter
MEDIA PARTNERS:
EXTRAORDINARY CINEMA
THE NOWHERE INN
Sat., October 9 • 7pm • Historic Theater
SMALL ENGINE REPAIR
MET AT THE MUSIC HALL
Thu., October 14 • 7pm • Historic Theater
MET AT THE MUSIC HALL
ON BROADWAY
Sat., October 9 12:55pm Historic Theater
(BLANCHARD)
A tortured tsar is caught between grasping ambition and crippling paranoia in Mussorgsky’s masterwork.
Terence Blanchard’s adaptation presents a poignant and profound story for the Met stage.
Fri., October 15 • 7pm • Historic Theater
FALLING FOR FIGARO
Sat., October 16 • 7pm • Historic Theater
BORIS GODUNOV (MUSSORGSKY) •
•
EXHIBITION ON SCREEN
RAPHAEL
603.436.2400
PREVIEW
Sat., October 2 • 2pm • Historic Theater
Thu., October 21 • 7pm • Historic Theater
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Sun., October 31 • 12:55pm • Historic Theater
OPERA CONNECTION SEASON
HALLOWEEN (1978)
Sat., October 16 • 3pm • Historic Theater
FIRE SHUT UP IN MY BONES
Photo Credit: David J. Murray/ ClearEyePhoto.com
Opera aficionado/writer-producer Dennis Neil Kleinman leads lively discussions of select opera broadcasts. For full schedule of Opera Connection events, see pg 3.
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT A Joyful Gift
UPCOMING MEMBER EVENTS
Bringing our collaboration with the Ogunquit Playhouse back to the Historic
BOOK CLUB: THREE JUNES BY JULIA GLASS
Theater this winter means a revival of a beloved family tradition, but also a favorite venture: our Give the Gift of Magic campaign,
Mon., 10/4 • 6pm Portwalk Place, Portsmouth
inspired by Morgan and Tara Rutman. We invite you to contribute to this fund to
DIRECTOR'S CLUB: JIMMY'S ON CONGRESS
provide tickets to this year’s production of Irving Berlin's White Christmas to families in need. Recipients will be identified by our partners, Arts in Reach, Big Brothers Big Sisters of NH, Crossroads House, Greater Seacoast Community Health, HAVEN, and Veterans Count. Two generous sponsors have stepped up to seed the fund this year: BankProv and Hampton Ford Hyundai have lent their support to ensure that we are able to entertain even greater numbers of our neighbors, regardless of their financial means. BankProv CEO Dave Mansfield noted, “It’s an honor and a pleasure to support the Give the Gift of Magic campaign. The Music Hall is a pillar of Portsmouth’s vibrant arts community and the attention they pay to create an exceptional experience for their patrons cannot be understated. No doubt this year’s performance will be spectacular, and I’m happy BankProv can do its part to help create special memories for Seacoast families.” GIVE THE GIFT SPONSORS:
Tue., 10/5 • 5:30pm 135 Congress St., Portsmouth
BOOK CLUB: EMPIRE OF PAIN BY PATRICK RADDEN KEEFE Mon., 11/8 • 6pm Portwalk Place, Portsmouth For more info, contact Wesley Lovell at 603.766.2182 or WLovell@themusichall.org
H A M P T O N F O R D
H Y U N D A I
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
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AT A GLANCE
B2W BOX OFFICE AT THE HISTORIC THEATER: 28 Chestnut Street
LEGEND: At the Historic Theater | Offsite/Online
OCTOBER 2021
NOVEMBER 2021
DECEMBER 2021
Opera Connection
Hilarity
Hilarity
Saturday, October 2 • 2pm
Thursday, November 4 • 7:30pm
Sunday, December 26 • 6pm; Monday, December 27 • 6pm; Tuesday, December 28 • 7pm
Season Preview Hilarity
Whose Live Anyway?
Friday, October 8 • 8pm The Met at The Music Hall
Boris Godunov (Mussorgsky)
Saturday, October 9 • 12:55pm Intimately Yours
Justin Willman Rental Partner
Big Brothers Big Sisters NH presents Let's Go Crazy for the 80s Saturday, November 6 • 7pm Intimately Yours
Lettuce
Sunday, November 7 • 8pm
Juston McKinney: A Year in Review
The Music Hall Presents
New Year's Eve Champagne Pops Friday, December 31 • 8pm
JANUARY 2022
Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox
Hilarity
Intimately Yours
Wednesday, November 10 • 8pm & Thursday, November 11 • 8pm
Eurydice (Aucoin)
Monday, October 11 • 7:30pm
Rental Partner
The Met at The Music Hall
Intimately Yours
Friday, November 12 • 7:30pm
Saturday, January 15 • 12:55pm
Sunday, October 10 • 7pm
Chris Thile
Josh Turner
Brian Regan
The Wailin' Jennys
The Met at The Music Hall Saturday, January 8 • 12:55pm
Cinderella (Massenet)
Friday, October 22 • 8pm
Intimately Yours
Intimately Yours
Rental Partner
Saturday, November 13 • 8pm
Friday, January 28 • 8pm
Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra Fall Concert
Absence: Terence Blanchard
Keb' Mo'
Sunday, October 24 • 3pm
Rental Partner
The Met at The Music Hall
Intimately Yours
The Mavericks
Thursday, November 18 Saturday, November 20 • various times
Saturday, January 29 • 12:55pm
Intimately Yours
DECEMBER 2021
Friday, October 29 • 8pm
The Ogunquit Playhouse at The Music Hall presents
The Met at The Music Hall
Wed., December 1 - Sun., December 19
Tuesday, October 26 • 7:30pm & Wednesday, October 27 • 7:30pm
Elvis Costello & The Imposters [SOLD OUT] Fire Shut Up in My Bones (Blanchard)
Warren Miller's Winter Starts Now
Irving Berlin's White Christmas
Rigoletto (Verdi)
FEBRUARY 2022 School Days Series
Warriors Don't Cry
Monday, February 7 • 9:30am & 11:30am Intimately Yours
Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy
Sunday, October 31 • 12:55pm
Sunday, February 27 • 4pm
THE OGUNQUIT PLAYHOUSE AT THE MUSIC HALL PRESENTS
DECEMBER 1-19 GROUP SALES Groups of 15 or more get 15% off. Call the B2W Box Office at 603.436.2400 for more information.
GIVE THE GIFT SPONSORS:
H A M P T O N F O R D
H Y U N D A I
TheMusicHall.org
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PUBLISHED EVERY SIX WEEKS 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 9, ISSUE 7
UPCOMING SHOWS
JOSH TURNER October 22
JUSTIN WILLMAN November 4
CHRIS THILE 10/11 OCTOBER/MID-NOVEMBER 2021