Mid-February/March 2023 Magazine

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DANCE CAMILLE A. BROWN & DANCERS

Sun., June 18 • 4pm • Historic Theater

Tony Award-nominated director and choreographer, Camille A. Brown brings her nationally acclaimed dance troupe to Portsmouth for an outstanding performance.

This event is presented in partnership with the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire Juneteenth Celebration.

MUSIC CHAD HOLLISTER AND PRIMO

Sat., April 1 • 8pm • The Lounge

Honest, passionate and heartfelt are a few words to describe Hollister’s songs and voice as Primo’s guitar soars and ties it all together.

MUSIC PETER CINCOTTI

Sat., May 6 • 8pm • Lounge

Cincotti’s music is an upbeat blend of musical styles that brings active, rhythmic piano playing back into the landscape of modern music.

COMEDY

ANDY BENINGO

Fri., May 19 • 8pm • The Lounge

Hailed for his clean, everyman material, Andy Beningo is one of the most in-demand comedians working today.

RENTAL

COMEDIAN BOB MARLEY

[SECOND SHOW ADDED]

Sat., March 11 • 5:30pm & 8pm

Historic Theater

Maine native Bob Marley is one of the most sought-after comedians in the country.

TEDxPORTSMOUTH 2023

Fri., May 12 • 9am

Historic Theater

An immersive full-day event showcasing a diverse lineup of inspiring speakers, rousing artistic performances, local food, and more.

PERFORMANCES

PREVIEWS

Wed., 3/22 • 7:30pm

Thu., 3/23 • 1:30pm & 7pm

OPENING NIGHT

Fri., 3/24 • 7pm

Sat., 3/25 • 1:30pm & 7pm Sun., 3/26 • 12pm & 5pm

Wed., 3/29 • 1:30pm & 7pm Thu., 3/30 • 7pm Fri., 3/31 • 7pm Sat., 4/1 • 1:30pm & 7pm Sun., 4/2 • 12pm & 5pm

MARCH

9

On December 4, 1956, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins gathered at Sun Records in Memphis for one of the greatest jam sessions of all time. Million Dollar Quartet brings that legendary night to life, featuring a score of rock hits that includes “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “Walk the Line,” “Hound Dog,” and more! The musical captures the singular moment when four major talents came together to become a red-hot rock ‘n’ roll band.

Wed., 4/5 • 1:30pm & 7pm Thu., 4/6 • 7pm Fri., 4/7 • 7pm Sat., 4/8 • 1:30pm & 7pm Sun., 4/9 • 12pm & 5pm

Nat Zegree in Ogunquit Playhouse’s 2016 production of Million Dollar Quartet Photo Credit: Gary Ng

MUSIC AT THE HISTORIC THEATER

Don’t miss these world-class acts

MUSIC SERIES

Discover new artists with our Spotify Playlists!

NATALIE MACMASTER & DONNELL LEAHY

Sun., February 26 • 4pm • Historic Theater

Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy’s electrifying performances on the fiddles have propelled their dazzling careers since childhood while cementing their status as Canada’s reigning couple of Celtic music.

WATCHHOUSE - SPECIAL DUO SET

Fri., March 3 • 8pm • Historic Theater

Watchhouse (formerly Mandolin Orange) is an Americana/folk duo who has toured throughout the U.S and Europe, including appearances at Austin City Limits, South by Southwest, Newport Folk Festival, Pickathon, and Hardly Strictly Bluegrass.

IL DIVO: A NEW DAY TOUR

Sat., March 4 • 8pm • Historic Theater

The international, chart-topping supergroup Il Divo is a world leader in their unique pop-opera genre, achieving second to none success around the globe.

EVENING SPONSOR: Piscataqua Savings Bank

MUSIC AT THE HISTORIC THEATER

Our resident orchestra celebrates the seasons

MUSIC SERIES

SPONSORS:

MATT NATHANSON [LIMITED TICKETS AVAILABLE]

Fri., February 24 • 8pm • Historic Theater

Over his almost 30-year career, Matt Nathanson has evolved into one of the most applauded songwriters and engaging performers on the music scene today.

EVENING SPONSOR: Eastern Bank

Discover new artists with our Spotify Playlists!

RESIDENT ORCHESTRA PORTSMOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA WINTER CONCERT

Sun., March 12 • 3pm • Historic Theater

Featuring Beethoven’s beautiful and masterful Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat major, Op. 73, “Emperor Concerto,” Jean Sibelius’ powerful Symphony No. 2, and William Grant Still’s emergent Poem for Orchestra

ELVIS COSTELLO & THE IMPOSTERS [ALMOST SOLD OUT]

Mon., March 6 • 8pm • Historic Theater

With an insatiable appetite for music, Grammy Award-winning Elvis Costello has over 30 albums to his name, ranging from rock & roll and pop to country and piano ballads.

EVENING SPONSORS:

SCHOOL DAYS SERIES AT

SCHOOL DAYS SERIES SPONSOR:

Avery Insurance; BANKW Staffing; Eastern Bank

HISTORIC

GENEROUS SUPPORT PROVIDED BY: D.F. Richard; Demoulas Foundation; The Fabulous Find; The French Foundation; The Fuller Foundation

PETE’S BIG HOLLYWOOD ADVENTURE

Mon., March 6 • 9:30am & 11:30am Historic Theater

Join Pete, Callie, Ethel the Apatosaurus, and Robo-Pete in this rockin’ musical adventure that features several fun-filled Pete the Cat books.

MUSIC AT THE LOUNGE

Take in the tunes in our new venue!

Discover new artists with our Spotify Playlists!

JUANITO PASCUAL TRIO

Wed., February 15 • 7pm • The Lounge

Juanito Pascual is “one of the hottest flamenco guitarists in recent years” (NPR).

MARIELLE KRAFT

Fri., February 17 8pm

The Lounge

The Nashville-based indie pop singersongwriter has toured with Jon McLaughlin, Ava Max, and Betty Who.

GRIFFIN HOUSE

Sat., February 25 • 8pm • The Lounge

Griffin House celebrates his new album, Stories for a Rainy Day, with a stripped down rootsy Americana sound.

ROB ICKES & TREY HENSLEY

Sun., February 26 • 7pm • The Lounge

The bluegrass Player of the Year and a guitar prodigy make for a powerhouse acoustic duo.

TAYLOR O’DONNELL

Thu., March 2 • 8pm • The Lounge

The Seacoast’s own, known for her exploratory musical stylings.

DEB TALAN (OF THE WEEPIES)

Sat., March 4 • 8pm • The Lounge

Half of the long-running duo The Weepies, Deb Talan is a megatalented singer-songwriter.

DAVID WILCOX

Tue., March 7 • 7pm • The Lounge

David Wilcox pairs thoughtful insights with his warm baritone, open tunings, and deft technique.

MARK ERELLI TRIO

Fri., March 3 • 7:30pm • The Lounge

The singer-songwriter’s full-bodied rock music explores the unknown.

HAMILTON DE HOLANDA AND NDUDUZO MAKHATHINI

Sun., March 5 • 7pm • The Lounge

Three-time Latin Grammy Awardwinning bandolinist joins forces with the South African pianist.

LUCY WAINWRIGHT ROCHE

Fri., March 10 • 7:30pm

The Lounge

Lucy’s bell tone voice, unshakable melodies, and knack for wise, wry lyrics clenches the heart and commands the stage.

MUSIC AT THE LOUNGE

Discover up-and-coming artists and new favorites

THE MIDNIGHT WRENS

Sat., March 11 • 8pm • The Lounge

The Midnight Wrens blend threads of Americana, funk, jazz, and folk into soothing original songs.

HALEY REINHART

Sun., March 26 • 5:30pm & 8pm

The Lounge

The Postmodern Jukebox singersongwriter with a timeless voice and rock ’n’ roll roots.

COMEDY AT THE LOUNGE

NYC comedians in your backyard

CAITLIN PELUFFO

Sat., February 18 • 6pm & 8:30pm

The Lounge

This lovable loose cannon comedian has opened for Maria Bamford, Brian Regan, and Matteo Lane.

TALKS AT THE LOUNGE

Take time for self-care

THE BIG CALM WITH ANKATI DAY

Sun., February 19 • 11am

The Lounge

Take a moment to slow down, breathe, calm your nerves, and slow those racing thoughts. Join us for an hour of relaxation using meditation and sound therapy.

Discover new artists with our Spotify Playlists!

CHASTITY BROWN & SAWYER FREDERICKS

Sat., March 18 • 8pm • The Lounge

This rootsy blues double bill features two rising stars for an evening not to forget.

KAKI KING

Mon., March 27 • 8pm

The Lounge

With a star-studded career that has spanned two decades, Kaki King continues to live at the forefront of guitarists and performance-makers.

DAVID DRAKE

Sat., March 25 • 8:30pm

The Lounge

The NYC stand-up comedian has been named one of Complex Magazine’s “Comics to Watch Under 30” and featured on Sirius XM, Comcast, and Laughs on Fox.

CREATIVEMORNINGS PKX

Fri., February 24 & Fri., March 31 9am • The Lounge

CreativeMornings PKX returns in-person in the new and improved Lounge! Each meeting features a local speaker on the month’s topic and is free and open to the public.

LITERARY AT THE LOUNGE

New books from critically acclaimed writers

PRESENTING SPONSOR:

REBECCA MAKKAI

Wed., February 22 • 7pm • The Lounge

In the riveting new novel from the author of The Great Believers, a woman must reckon with her past when new details surface about a tragedy at her elite New Hampshire boarding school.

ADAM GOPNIK

Tue., March 14 • 7pm • The Lounge

Bestselling author and New Yorker writer Adam Gopnik embarks on a wildly creative inquiry into perhaps the oldest question: How do we learn a new skill?

CINEMA AT THE HISTORIC THEATER

Independent & major studio films on the big screen

Thank You Bill Pence

We are deeply saddened at the passing of our friend and mentor, Bill Pence, co-founder of Telluride Film Festival and founder of our own Telluride by the Sea. Pivotal in both launching TbtS with his wonderful wife, Stella Pence, and our yearround film programming, Bill’s encyclopedic knowledge of films and the industry, along with his love of the medium, inspired us and instilled some stability in The Music Hall that was sorely needed at the time. We miss his warmth, brilliant ideas, and sound advice. The ultimate showman, Bill taught us so much about the world of film and theater, and we are forever grateful.

A MAN CALLED OTTO

Tue., 2/7 - Thu., 2/9 • 7pm

Tom Hanks stars as Otto, a grump who no longer sees purpose in his life.

Schedule subject to change. Updates on TheMusicHall.org.

THE FABELMANS

Fri., 2/10 • 7pm & Sat., 2/11 • 3pm & 7pm

From Steven Spielberg. Sammy Fabelman aspires to become a filmmaker as he reaches adolescence.

WHITNEY HOUSTON: I WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY Wed., 2/15 & Thu., 2/16 • 7pm

An inspirational, poignant—and so emotional— journey through Houston’s trailblazing life and career.

SAINT OMER

(with English subtitles) Tue., 2/28 • 7pm

Young novelist Rama attends the trial of a young woman, and the testimonies will shake her convictions.

EO

(with English subtitles) Tue., 3/7 • 7pm

Following the travels of a nomadic gray donkey named EO across the Polish and Italian countryside.

OSCAR NOMINATED SHORTS

Documentary: Tue., 2/21 • 7pm

Animated: Wed., 2/22 • 7pm

Live Action: Thu., 2/23 • 7pm

Stay tuned for the list of films!

THE WHALE

Wed., 3/1 & Thu., 3/2 • 7pm

From Darren Aronofsky comes the story of a reclusive English teacher who attempts to reconnect with his estranged teenage daughter.

WOMEN’S ADVENTURE

FILM TOUR

Wed., 3/8 • 7pm

A celebration of the inspiring women who are doing extraordinary things in the name of adventure.

A STRATEGY FOR SUCCESS

Share the Love: Thank a Music Hall Sponsor

While February may be the smallest month in terms of days, it’s big on reasons to celebrate. A quick online search suggests there are at least 749 February holidays; as a whole it’s National Arts Month, National LaughFriendly Month, and National Blah Buster Month. It’s also Relationship Wellness Month, and as it falls in the middle of our annual Corporate Appreciation Season, February is the perfect time to thank our most incredible cadre of Corporate Partners.

As a nonprofit organization, The Music Hall is here to entertain and inform thanks to our generous supporters. That includes you, our members, as well as all of the local businesses who serve as sponsors and participate in our Playbill. We could not do what we do without them (and you!).

We hope you will join us in appreciating this group, including our Lead Sponsor: B2W Software; our Season Sponsors: Carey & Giampa, Realtors; JGroup Hospitality; and Portwalk Place; and our Contributing Partner: the University of New Hampshire.

As February is also National Haiku Month, we’ll offer our gratitude in 17 syllables:

Working together

We are thankful for support

From neighbors and friends

To see a full list of The Music Hall’s 80+ Sponsors and join us in sharing our thanks, peruse the Season Playbill next time you’re in the Hall, or visit our Corporate Partners page next time you’re online.

UPCOMING MEMBER EVENTS

BOOK CLUB

Portwalk Place, Portsmouth

THE CARTOGRAPHERS by Peng Shepherd moderated by Brittany Wason Mon., 2/13 • 6pm

DAISY JONES & THE SIX by Taylor Jenkins Reid moderated by Wesley Lovell Mon., 3/13 • 6pm

For more info, contact Wesley Lovell at WLovell@themusichall.org

DIRECTOR'S CLUB SPONSOR: Newburyport Bank

BOOK CLUB SPONSOR: Sheehan Phinney

proud supporters of t he Music h all

bringing the arts home...

The Ar T s A re T he A nswer to vibrant and prosperous communities where we treasure our heritage, celebrate our diversity and nurture our ingenuity.

AT A GLANCE

Schedule subject to change. Check TheMusicHall.org for updates.

LEGEND: At The Historic Theater | At The Lounge | Offsite/Online | **Member Event contact Wesley Lovell (WLovell@themusichall.org) for more info

FEBRUARY 2023

Cinema

A Man Called Otto

Tue., February 7, Wed., February 8, & Thu., February 9 • 7pm

Cinema

The Fabelmans

Fri., Feb. 10 • 7pm; Sat., Feb. 11 • 3pm & 7pm

Music Ward Hayden & The Outliers Sat., February 11 • 8pm

Book Club

The Cartographers** Mon., February 13 • 6pm

Cinema

Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody Wed., February 15 & Thu., February 16 • 7pm

Music

Juanito Pascual Trio Wed., February 15 • 7pm

Music Marielle Kraft Fri., February 17 • 8pm

Rental Partner

Miss NH USA & Miss NH Teen USA 2023 Sat., Feb. 18 • 8pm & Sun., Feb. 19 • 2pm

Comedy Caitlin Peluffo Sat., February 18 • 6pm & 8:30pm

Talks

The Big Calm with Ankati Day Sun., February 19 • 11am

Cinema

Oscar Nominated Shorts: Documentary Tue., February 21 • 7pm

Cinema

Oscar Nominated Shorts: Animated Wed., February 22 • 7pm

Literary Rebecca Makkai Wed., February 22 • 7pm

Cinema

Oscar Nominated Shorts: Live Action Thu., February 23 • 7pm

Talks

CreativeMornings PKX

Fri., February 24 • 9am

Music

Matt Nathanson

Fri., February 24 • 8pm

Rental Partner

Another Tequila Sunrise: Eagles Tribute Sun., February 25 • 8pm

Music Griffin House Sat., February 25 • 8pm

Music

Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy Sun., February 26 • 4pm

FEBRUARY 2023 CONT...

Music

Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley Sun., February 26 • 7pm

Cinema Saint Omer Tue., February 28 • 7pm

MARCH 2023

Cinema

The Whale

Wed., March 1 & Thu., March 2 • 7pm

Music

Taylor O’Donnell Thu., March 2 • 8pm

Music

Mark Erelli Trio Fri., March 3 • 7:30pm

Music Watchhouse - Special Duo Set Fri., March 3 • 8pm

Music

Il Divo: A New Day Tour Sat., March 4 • 8pm

Music

Deb Talan (of The Weepies) Sat., March 4 • 8pm

Music

Hamilton de Holanda and Nduduzo Makhathini Sun., March 5 • 7pm

School Days Series

Pete’s Big Hollywood Adventure Mon., March 6 • 9:30am & 11:30am

Music

Elvis Costello & The Imposters Mon., March 6 • 8pm

Cinema EO

Tue., March 7 • 7pm

Music

David Wilcox Tue., March 7 • 7pm

Cinema

Women’s Adventure Film Tour Wed., March 8 • 7pm

Rental Partner

Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour Thu., March 9 • 7pm

Music

Lucy Wainwright Roche Fri., March 10 • 7:30pm

Rental Partner

Comedian Bob Marley Sat., March 11 • 5:30pm & 8pm

Music

The Midnight Wrens Sat., March 11 • 8pm

MARCH 2023 CONT...

Resident Orchestra

Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra Winter Concert Sun., March 12 • 3pm

Book Club

Daisy Jones & The Six** Mon., March 13 • 6pm

Literary Adam Gopnik Tue., March 14 • 7pm

Music

Chastity Brown & Sawyer Fredericks Sat., March 18 • 8pm

Ogunquit Playhouse at The Music Hall presents Million Dollar Quartet Wed., March 22 - Thu., April 9

Comedy David Drake Sat., March 25 • 8:30pm

Music Haley Reinhart Sat., March 26 • 5:30pm & 8pm

Music Kaki King Mon., March 27 • 5:30pm & 8pm

Talks

CreativeMornings PKX Fri., March 31 • 9am

APRIL 2023

Music

Chad Hollister and Primo Mon., April 1 • 8pm

Opera Connection

Der Rosenkavalier Sat., April 15 • 10:30am

Met at The Music Hall

Der Rosenkavalier (Strauss) Sat., April 15 • 12pm

Opera Connection

Lohengrin Sat., April 22 • 10:30am

Met at The Music Hall

Lohengrin (Wagner) Sat., April 22 • 12pm

Music

Simone Porter with Great Bay Phil. Orchestra Sat., April 22 • 7:30pm

Comedy Whose Live Anyway? Sun., April 23 • 7pm

Met at The Music Hall

Champion (Blanchard) Sat., April 29 • 12:55pm

Rental Partner DC’s Reflecting Fools Sat., April 29 • 7pm