October/Mid-November 2021 Magazine

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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603.436.2400

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

603.436.2400

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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603.436.2400

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