May 2009 NOW

NOW

@

T h e M u s i c H a l l ’s M o n t h l y M a g a z i n e

May 2009

The Met @ The Music Hall: 2009-2010 Season On Sale

MIFF @ The Music Hall: The Maine International Film Festival in Portsmouth

CHRIS BOTTI

Tuesday, June 2, 2009 • 7:30pm • Tickets: $65, $50

Gourmet editor - two-day stint at The Music Hall!

The acclaimed trumpeter has earned both critical and mainstream appreciation for his singular combination of lush atmospheres and thoughtful improvisations. A veteran of both the contemporary jazz world and the mainstream pop studio scene, he’s worked with luminaries ranging from Sting to Paul Simon and Aretha Franklin to Natalie Merchant.

SERIES SPONSORS:

“the hip end of smooth jazz.” – New York Times

Also in this issue...

The Met @ The Music Hall: La Cenerentola

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Box Office 603.436.2400

HD Broadcast: The Audition

www.themusichall.org

Extraordinary Cinema: Gran Torino

28 Chestnut Street • Portsmouth, NH

NOW

@ the music hall

A n A m e r i c a n Tr e a s u r e f o r t h e A r t s

RUTH REICHL

Friday, May 1 • 7:30pm Tickets: $13

get your tickets today!

Photo: www.GregWestPhotography.com

live events may

Writers on a

New England Stage

Join us in welcoming Ruth Reichl, the editor in chief of Gourmet and the author of three bestselling memoirs. The former NY Times critic will discuss her new book Not Becoming My Mother & Other Things She Taught Me Along the Way – just in time for Mother’s Day! Reichl will be interviewed by NHPR’s Laura Knoy and live music by Dreadnaught.

north hampton & rye, new hampshire • a benefit for the music hall

18th annual

Saturday, May 2 • 10am-3pm

Meet celebrity guest RUTH REICHL on The Kitchen Tour!

PARTNERS:

SPONSORS: Auger Building Company, Inc.; Piscataqua Landscaping; Popovers & Galley Hatch Hospitality Group; RMC Research Corp.; Calypso Communications; Haunted Milk Design; SeacoastNH.com. Underwritten by Citizens Bank Foundation.

kitchen tOUR

Tickets: $20 members; $23 non-members; $25 day of event

Peek into our dream kitchens, from sleek to historic, and be inspired about the heart of your home!

Tickets available now: The Music Hall Box Office, The Cranberry Bog, The Greater York Region Chamber of Commerce, The Lollipop Tree, Lamprey Brothers. Day of Tour Tickets: Abenaqui Country Club

Presenting Sponsors: Accent Home & Garden; B&G Cabinet LLC; Dovetailed Kitchens; Drayco Builders Lifestyles; Michele Bitter Designs, NYC; Piscataqua Landscaping; Savi Systems; The Harbor Lights; The Lighting Center at Rockingham Electric.

Lead Sponsors: EJS Construction/Jamie Gowing Cabinetry; Stonewall Kitchen

“Riotously funny and remarkably ingenious” – The New York Times

Just Announced! Sizzling Summer Salsa Dance Party...

SPANISH HARLEM ORCHESTRA

Friday, June 26 • 8pm • Tickets: $34 General Admission Get ready to dance with the Grammy Award-winning standard bearers of contemporary Latin music. With a sound both modern and historic and a swing that could revive the dead, this signature sound of 21st century Latin music will be driving patrons onto the dance floor.

We’ve listened to our patrons and they want to dance! So, we’ll be taking out our front rows and putting in our dance floor just for this evening. You can choose – get hot on the dance floor, or stay cool in the balcony, surveying the scene!

the 25th annual putnam county spelling bee

Thursday, May 7 • 7:30pm • Tickets: $75-$30 In this Tony Award-winning musical comedy, six young people in the throes of puberty, overseen by grown-ups who barely managed to escape childhood themselves, learn that winning isn’t everything and that losing doesn’t necessarily make you a loser. Spelling Bee has been hailed by the Wall Street Journal as “perfect in every possible way – that rarity of rarities, a super-smart musical that is also a bona fide crowd pleaser.” Watch for Guest Spellers!

SPONSORS: Centrix Bank; Prime Buchholz & Associates, Inc.; Seatrade International Co., Inc; WSCA-LP 106.1 FM

Box Office 603.436.2400

Age Suggestion: 12+ Caution: Raging hormone episodes!

SERIES SPONSORS:

ATTENTION MEMBERS! 09-10 TICKETS ON SALE...

The Met @ The Music Hall 2009-2010 season: Tickets on sale Sunday, May 3 at noon (before The Audition) The Music Hall Presents 2009-2010 Season Tickets on sale Saturday, May 30. Walk-up sales begin at 11am, phone and internet sales begin at noon!

MAY 2009

STARTING THURSDAY, MAY 21...

Founders lobby lounge extraordinary cinema

Join us for cocktails, coffee and cake every Thursday-Saturday 5:30-midnight.

Everlasting Moments

“A movie like Everlasting Moments comes along maybe once in a decade.”

– PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER GOMORRAH

WILDCARD MOVIE: SLACKERS

NOT RATED • 137min • ITALY • 5/2 - 5/6 daily @ 7pm • 4pm Matinee 5/2 Writer-director Matteo Garrone’s adaptation of a best-selling investigative account of Naples’ Mafiosi (a book that made author Roberto Saviano both a national figure and a mob target). Don Ciro, an exhausted, frightened bag man, buys mob control over paralyzed slum-dwellers; the tailor Pasquale hopes to get his designs out of a mob-owned factory; and the entrepreneurial Franco trades in garbage and toxic waste. Vivid, fast-paced and unsettling, Gomorrah is one of the most ambitious visions of the mob yet put to film. In Italian with subtitles.

NOT RATED • 43min • USA Sat., 5/9 @ 8pm • 6:30pm VJ set 1 SHOW ONLY!

“Gomorrah takes the time-honored Mafia genre and gives it an all new twist.”

– New York Post

We’re teaming up with neighbor Identity Footwear and Apparel to present a highenergy evening of life on the decks – as in turntables and skateboards. At 6:30, vj Mike Marchand (aka Datajockey) will be live mixing music and vintage skateboarding footage on The Founders Lobby screens. We premiere SLACKERS, the first-ever locally-produced skateboarding film. Filmed in and around Portsmouth, and featuring more than a dozen up-and-coming skateboarders, SLACKERS is solid proof the Seacoast has no shortage of four-wheeled talent.

GRAN TORINO Rated R • 116min • USA • 5/8 - 5/14 daily @ 7pm • 4pm Matinee 5/10 • No Film 5/9 Set in contemporary Detroit, Gran Torino tackles the shifting cultural landscape of not only the Motor City, but of America as well. Clint Eastwood directs and stars as an unabashed bigot who never heard a racial insult he didn’t love. Bitter, haunted, and full of pride, Walt refuses to abandon the neighborhood he’s lived in for decades despite its changing demographics as he clings desperately to a mindset long since out of step with the times.

“Gran Torino made my day.” – ROLLING STONE

EVERLASTING MOMENTS

everlasting moments

NOT RATED • 113min • DENMARK • 5/15 - 5/21 daily @ 7pm • No Film 5/16 & 5/17 • Discussion follows 5/19 show In this breathtaking film from renowned Swedish director Jan Troell, a woman experiences an artistic awakening after being introduced to photography. Based on real-life events, the story opens at the start of the 20th century and centers around Finnish housewife Maria Larrson who struggles to care for her large family and manage her alcoholic husband. Despite the bleak world the characters inhabit, the film is a moving affirmation of life’s beauty and the strength of the human spirit. In Swedish and Finnish with subtitles.

“This is artful filmmaking of the old school.” – SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE

Kids RULE! Movie: CORALINE

H ey, Kid

s!

Rated PG • 100min • USA • 5/24 @ 2pm • ONE SHOW ONLY! Henry Selick’s (The Nightmare Before Christmas) Coraline is an eye-popping stop-motion animation tale. When Coraline Jones (voiced by Dakota Fanning) and her family move into a new home, Coraline discovers a mysterious hidden door and embarks on a frightfully magical adventure that will give the whole family plenty to shriek, cheer, and talk about!

MR. BUSTER

“Creepy, wonderfully strange and full of feeling.” – NEW YORK TIMES

DEFIANCE

DEFIANCE

Rated R • 137min • USA • 5/22 - 5/27 daily @ 7pm • 4pm Matinee 5/23 • Discussion follows 5/26 show The true story of a group of Jews in Eastern Europe who fought back during WWII. On the run from the Germans, three Russian Bielski brothers, Tuvia (Daniel Craig), Zus (Liev Schreiber), and Asael (Jamie Bell), hide out deep in the forest, their numbers growing as more refugees join them. Directed by Edward Zwick (Glory, Blood Diamond) and based on the nonfiction book by Dr. Nechama Tec, Defiance is a powerful thriller filled with human emotion.

SPONSORS: BayRing Communications; Cocked Hat Ventures, LLC; Portsmouth Brewery; Brown and Company; Experience Magazine; New Hampshire Public Radio; PortsmouthNH.com

“A war story told with passion...has the power to inspire.” – ROLLING STONE

HD BROADCAST: THE AUDITION

Members only summerfilm trailer party!

Sunday, May 3 • 3pm Program to be previously recorded.

Host Renee Fleming introduces a suspense filled documentary about the intense pressures young opera singers face as they try to become opera stars.

Friday, May 29 • 5:30pm

Be the first to see the previews for SummerFilms! Free popcorn, cash bar, and a chance to win raffle prizes!

JUST ANNOUNCED!

5:30pm Doors open to mingle in our Founders Lobby

Saturday, May 9 • 12:30pm

5:45pm-6:30pm onscreen, a rolling preview of the 2009-2010 season of live shows, on sale to members May 30th!

the met @ the music hall: La CENERENTOLA (Rossini) Hot on the heels of her triumphant Met debut as Rosina in last season’s Il Barbiere di Siviglia, the glamorous Latvian mezzo-soprano Elina Garanca portrays another Rossini charmer in this bel canto Cinderella story. Lawrence Brownlee is her Prince Charming. Veteran baritone Alessandro Corbelli demonstrates his impeccable comic timing to match the gravitas of Met favorite John Relyea.

6:30pm Raffle drawing and film trailers. Please note, trailers for R-rated films may be included.

7:30pm Stay for the evening’s film – free of charge!

RSVP by May 26th to Lauren, llenox@themusichall.org or (603) 433-3100x28

www.themusichall.org www.themusichall.org

For more on this month’s movies, including trailers, visit

Box Office 603-436-2400

NOW

@ the music hall may calendar of events

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

26 The Music Hall Presents

27 March

28

29 The Music Hall Presents

30 The Music Hall Presents

1 The Music Hall Presents

2 18th Annual KITCHEN TOUR

extraordinary cinema

extraordinary cinema

SECRET OF THE GRAIN

SECRET OF THE GRAIN

INTIMATELY YOURS: KD LANG

7:30PM

3 The Met @ The Music Hall 2009-2010 season tickets on sale to members at 12:00PM THE AUDITION 3:00PM extraordinary cinema

GOMORRAH

7:00PM

10

7:00PM

4

NORTH HAMPTON & RYE, NH WRITERS ON A NEW ENGLAND STAGE:

7:00PM

HD BROADCAST: THIS AMERICAN LIFE - LIVE! 7:00PM

7:30PM

GOMORRAH

5

6

7 The Music Hall Presents

8

9 The Met @ The Music Hall

extraordinary cinema

LA CENERENTOLA 12:30PM

7:30PM

RUTH REICHL

extraordinary cinema

extraordinary cinema

extraordinary cinema

GOMORRAH

GOMORRAH

GOMORRAH

7:00PM

7:00PM

12

extraordinary cinema

extraordinary cinema

extraordinary cinema

GRAN TORINO

GRAN TORINO

GRAN TORINO

17

18

19

7:00PM

GRAN TORINO 7:00PM

WILDCARD MOVIE: SLACKERS SKATEBOARD FILM 8:00PM

13 Scene @ Five

14

15

16

7:30PM

7:00PM

7:00PM

extraordinary cinema

GRAN TORINO 7:00PM

20

extraordinary cinema

GRAN TORINO 7:00PM

21 SCHOOL DAYS SERIES THE BUTTERFLY 9:30AM & 11:30PM

24

extraordinary cinema

extraordinary cinema

extraordinary cinema

NO FILM PRIVATE EVENT

7:00PM

22

23

extraordinary cinema

extraordinary cinema

extraordinary cinema

7:00PM

7:00PM

7:00PM

7:00PM

7:00PM

25

26

27

28

29

DEFIANCE

4:00PM & 7:00PM

30

SUMMERFILM BEGINS!

THE MUSIC HALL PRESENTS 09-10 SEASON:

Members only trailer party, Tickets on sale to members!

5:30pm Walk-up sales begin at 11am. extraordinary cinema

extraordinary cinema

DEFIANCE

DEFIANCE

7:00PM

7:00PM

EVERLASTING MOMENTS

EVERLASTING MOMENTS EVERLASTING MOMENTS EVERLASTING MOMENTS EVERLASTING MOMENTS DEFIANCE

Kids RULE Film: CORALINE 2:00PM

DEFIANCE

extraordinary cinema

Box Office closed for walk-up sales.

Internet and phone orders only.

HISTORIC TOUR OF THE MUSIC HALL 12:30PM

extraordinary cinema

extraordinary cinema

7:00PM

extraordinary cinema

DEFIANCE 7:00PM

KIRSCHNER CONCERTS Presents STEVE EARLE 8:00PM

Phone & internet sales begin at noon

summerfilm

summerfilm

FILM TBA

FILM TBA 7:30PM

7:30PM

Box Office 603.436.2400 • www.themusichall.org

Show & Tell: Post-show film discussion with Paul Goodwin

Photo by Gary Langley/Blind Dog Photography

Enjoy the benefits.

PAID

portsmouth, nh permit no. 202

NON PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE

4 & 7:00PM

25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Members 09-10 season sneak peek!

MASS CONCERTS Presents HENRY ROLLINS 8:00PM

extraordinary cinema

HISTORIC TOUR OF THE MUSIC HALL 5:00PM

11

4:00PM & 7:00PM

10:00AM-3:00PM

INTIMATELY YOURS: THE DOOBIE BROTHERS

members

THE MUSIC HALL PRESENTS 2009-2010

Share in the magic.

@ the music hall

Support The Music Hall.

May

Become a member.

Come to the Founders Lobby, grab a drink and snack and settle in for a look at the upcoming season from the woman who curated it all. In her inimitable style, Patricia Lynch will give a rollicking season overview – complete with audio/video clips. Just in time for the new season to go on sale May 30!

SPONSOR: DC Home Systems

Friday, June 26 • 8pm Tickets on sale NOW to members.

On sale to the public Sat., May 2.

Sizzling Summer Salsa Dance Party

Intimately Yours: SPANISH HARLEM ORCHESTRA

Special thanks to our Season Underwriters:

JUST ANNOUNCED!

28 Chestnut Street, Portsmouth, NH 03801

NOW

Wednesday, May 13 • 5pm 2009-2010 Season Sneak Peek for Members & guests

Or renew your membership today!

This was printed on an FSC Certified paper containing 25% post-consumerwaste.

FSC Certification ensures responsible use of forest resources.

The Music Hall is a 501(c)3 tax exempt, fiscally responsible nonprofit organization, managed by a volunteer Board of Trustees and a professional staff. All contributions are tax deductible to the full extent allowable by law.

Box Office: 603.436.2400

Here&Now

The Music Hall and the Seacoast Community

London Calling!

by PATRICIA LYNCH, Executive Director

I took time out recently on holiday to visit with a new partner, The National Theatre of London. On a beautiful April day overlooking the Thames I met with David Sabel, the Producer of NT Live our new partners for the National Theater of London HD Broadcast Series at The Music Hall. David told me that they were looking for performing arts centers with sophisticated yet accessible programming to partner with and The Music Hall fit the bill. They describe it as a grand new adventure and we’re thrilled to be taking part in it along with prestigious US venues like BAM in Brooklyn and the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis.

There will be As You Like It by Shakespeare and a

new play by Alan Bennett in the upcoming season.

The NT Live director Nicholas Hytner will be doing backstage interviews and behind the scene footage as part of the HD broadcasts. The filming and camera angles for the shows being filmed will be such that the Music Hall audience will have the best seat in the house in London, David Sabel explained.

We’ll be putting up links on our website, www. themusichall.org, so folks can take a tour of the London theater with its storied costume and prop shops. I can almost hear Big Ben chiming in the background and the guard changing at the Palace.

Welcome to London, Portsmouth!

Got MIFF?

Patricia Lynch on London’s chilly South Bank.

by Kathleen soldati, Director of Marketing

When we got word of the latest Music Hall partnership with the Maine International Film Festival (MIFF to those in the know!) we had to find out more. We checked in with our film curator to get the scoop.

Here’s Bill Pence: “When we began the Telluride Film Festival 35 years ago, there were only a handful of film festivals. Today virtually every city of any size has a film festival. There are a few that command our respect, and MIFF is among that small number.”

Wow – what makes MIFF so special?

“First and foremost, its artistic directors – Beth and Ken Eisen – are experienced and knowledgeable in international film history and business. They have a passion for cinema that permeates the festival that they created more than ten years ago. And while MIFF is truly abreast of the newest and best in International and American cinema, it also holds dear rediscoveries and tributes to films and artists of cinema’s past.”

So why did Ken and Beth choose Portsmouth? And why The Music Hall?

Here’s Ken and Beth:

William Hurt on screen at MIFF in Waterville, ME

Intern-national

“The Maine International Film Festival has, in the 12 years of our existence, been eager to bring our vision of film and culture to as wide an audience as possible. Over that time, we’ve had several offers of partnership from worthy organizations, but we’ve never committed to such a linkage—until now. With The Music Hall in Portsmouth, we feel that we have finally found a truly like-minded organization, one whose roots are firmly embedded in their community, yet whose vision of art, culture and film looks outward to the world. And with The

Music Hall, we feel that there’s an incredibly solid organization we can rely on to implement MIFF’s programs on the ground, and to reach an appreciative, intelligent, sympatico audience. We are thrilled to be entering into what we think will be a long and fruitful partnership with MIFF@The Music Hall, a partnership that will help us bring unique and great films and filmmakers to New Hampshire, northern Massachusetts and southern Maine as an integral part of the Maine International Film Festival.”

Bill Pence has had a chance to watch Ken and Beth firsthand: “On a personal level, MIFF is really fun. Ken and Beth bring to the event their warm and welcoming manner, and, while affording the works of film art the gravitas they deserve, the two directors keep their senses of humor and light hearted approach to the event. There is not a whiff of pretension, elitism, or the endless push and shove of paparazzi.”

So, the bottom line for Bill Pence?

“MIFF is original, smart and deep – a rare jewel in the world of American film festivals.”

Don’t miss MIFF @ The Music Hall: Friday, July 17 – Sunday, July 19, 2009 MIFF Festival Pass on sale to members May 2, 2009 MIFF Festival Pass on sale to public May 5, 2009 MIFF individual tickets on sale to all June 27, 2009

SERIES SPONSORS: BayRing Communications; SERIES SPONSORS: BayRing Communications;Ocean Ocean Properties Properties SPONSORS: Calvert Funds; Dos Amigos Calvert Burritos; Northeast CreditBrewery; Union; WERZ WERZ SPONSORS: Funds; Portsmouth

Karolien Coussement joins The Music Hall The Music Hall Marketing Department was contacted last year by a Belgian college student seeking an internship. Karolien arrived in March and we fell in love with her instantly! Here’s her story: As a Communication Management student in my last year, I had to do a three-month internship in order to graduate. Since I wanted to do it at a nonprofit – and preferably in the arts – my sister in New Hampshire suggested I look up The Music Hall. When I received a positive answer, I was ecstatic! I prepared myself by doing some research so I would knew something about the history and

www.themusichall.org

the great shows offered. But the workload was a big question mark, which made me rather nervous Once I arrived, this nervousness quickly went away, and before I knew it I found myself rolling along with this fast-paced organization. So far it has been a great experience that really exceeds my expectations. Not only do I work at this beautiful historical building, I’m also part of a great staff that is one big happy family. I’m writing press releases, helping to organize events, and updating online calendars. The Music Hall is a great learning school. This experience will benefit me in many ways and I’ll be able to put my knowledge towards a good cause!

Box Office 603.436.2400

The Secret of On Sales?

Members, Start Your Engines...

by Donna Ryan, Music Hall Board Member

100 new members in May. That’s our goal. And we need your help!

You’ve heard it before, but it bears repeating ticket sales and other earned revenue account for 60% of our operating budget. The other 40% comes from our beloved members and sponsors.

And like most nonprofits in this current climate, we’re challenged to meet our goal for the end of the fiscal year, June 30th. The staff, board and committee members have rolled up their sleeves, and now we turn to you – our members!

You already understand the value of The Music Hall – can you imagine the Seacoast without it?

You have first-hand knowledge of the benefits of membership, like buying tickets before the general public, discounts and member-only events.

Now, we hope you’ll help us spread the word and meet our bottom line. May is “Membership Month” at The Music Hall, a great time to recruit new members since they’ll be able to take full advantage of the 2009-2010 Season On Sale on Saturday, May 30. So, we’re holding a good old fashioned Membership drive!

Chris Greiner in the Box Office with his favorite chocolate macaroons.

I sat with Box Office Manager Chris Greiner recently as he ate his lunch and asked him to divulge any secret strategies for getting the best seats when tickets go on sale to members in the merry month of May. – Kathleen Soldati What is the story with May “On Sales”?

“We have two really big On Sales in May. The first is for what’s turned out to be one of our most popular and beloved offerings at the Hall – the Met opera broadcasts on Saturday afternoons. The 2009-2010 Met opera season goes on sale Sunday, May 3, before The Audition, an HD broadcast that’s sort of the Met Opera meets reality TV. We decided to put the Met season on sale that day since we thought it would be most convenient for opera audiences. The Box Office will open at noon – three hours before the show.

So, what’s the next big On Sale?

The entire 2009-2010 season goes on sale Saturday, May 30. If you haven’t been down to The Music Hall yet for a new season on sale, you’re missing an event! We do our best to make it special for the people who come down – we always have snacks and refreshments. I’ve been doing this for seven years and it’s pretty cool because people make an occasion out of the day. We see a lot of the same faces each year – early in line, order form in hand, eager to get the best seats.

What’s the secret to getting the best seat?

People are always asking me that – figuring there must be one way that is better than another. We sell tickets four ways – online, over the phone, in person, and by mail. But honestly we’ve worked hard to create a system that’s as fair as possible for everyone, so it really is just a matter of what works best for you…of course, if you’re looking to get to the head of the line, I do like a double tall Americano, black, from Caffe Kilim, and the chocolate macaroons from Popovers are delicious.

Will food bribes actually work on Chris Greiner?

I guess you’ll just have to come in on May 3rd or 30th to find out!

On Saturday, May 30, tickets for our 2009-2010 season go on sale to members. The Box Office opens at 11am for walk-up customers only.

Phone and internet sales begin at noon.

www.themusichall.org

To make it a little more interesting, Laura Smith, Director of Institutional Advancement and Lauren Lenox, Membership Manager, have come up with some great incentives – see sidebar at right Perhaps the best incentive of all is knowing that you are actively supporting the anchor arts organization in the region and a community resource of tremendous value.

I sincerely thank you for your support of The Music Hall, in its many forms, and know that this membership drive will not only help The Music Hall meet its operating goal for the year, but will also bring a little joy into these trying times.

Thank you for joining us in this challenge – I look forward to reporting success in the July NOW! – Donna Ryan (pictured), Music Hall Board Member, Chair of the Major Gifts Committee, owner of Anneke Jans Restaurant, and Music Hall Member since 2001.

“May is a great time to recruit new members...they’ll be able to take full advantage of the 2009-2010 Season On Sale on May 30.”

-Donna Ryan, Board Member

Bring ‘em in & sign ‘em up!

During the month of May, if you sign up: 1 new member…receive 2 complimentary movie passes 2 new members...receive a limited edition Music Hall umbrella 3 new members...receive 3 VIP, backstage passes to meet author Barbara Kingsolver (oops, let the cat out of the bag!) in November 4 new members...receive a feature article in a fall edition of the NOW...about you, your family, your business, and why you support the The Music Hall 5 new members...receive a private, VIP tour of the theater with Patricia Lynch!

Please sign up new members in person at the box office or by phone with Lauren Lenox, Membership Manager, (603) 433-3100, x28 to receive your incentives.

Foodies Unite!

Gourmet editor visits our restaurant rich region We were bowled over when we learned that there are almost 250 restaurants in our fair city. What a perfect fit then that Gourmet editor Ruth Reichl will be in town for two days of events for The Music Hall. We caught up with both Margaret Talcott and Mary Horigan who are coordinating Reichl’s visit here for both the Friday, May 1 Writers on a New England Stage appearance and her Saturday, May 2 visit to the 18th Annual Kitchen Tour.

We love the Food Focus for the first weekend in May. What’s the foodMusic Hall connection all about?

the secret to success in dining in and dining out, it would be Ruth Reichl. She is a celebrated critic and editor known for her witty writing and humor. If you’re a foodie – a chef, a gourmet eater, a lover of life or simply a lover of good books, you want to be part of this weekend!”

Wonder where Ruth Reichl will be dining when she arrives for her two-day stint with The Music Hall? Hmmmm...

Here’s Mary: “Recently, for Restaurant Week we reached out to 20,000 of our patrons and 350 reporters with special communications encouraging them to take a night out downtown for a show and dinner. It was such a success we wanted to do it again, and we have reached out to our partnering restaurants including our corporate and Kitchen Tour sponsors and, as well, our Playbill advertisers – in short, all the restaurants we work with. In the case of such a star food critic as Ruth Reichl, truly this type of promotion benefits all of us, and we’re delighted to be able to make it happen again.”

So The Music Hall promotes the restaurants and the restaurants promote The Music Hall? Sounds like a win/win for everyone, right? Here’s Margaret: “Yes, that’s true. And, to have it revolve around this particular celebrity is perfect. If ever one woman held

Box Office 603.436.2400