JUST ANNOUNCED
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DAN BROWN’S WILD SYMPHONY BENEFIT CONCERT
Sun., November 15 • 2pm • Historic Theater
Join New York Times bestselling author Dan Brown and the Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra for the world premiere of stunning orchestral music from Wild Symphony, Brown’s illustrated children’s book! Proceeds benefit PSO and The Music Hall.
RESCHEDULED SHOWS
INNOVATION + LEADERSHIP KIMBERLY HAMLIN
Thu., October 15 • 7pm • Loft • $43* (Already On Sale)
WRITERS IN THE LOFT MARTHA ACKMANN
Tue., November 10 • 7pm • Loft • $41* (Already On Sale)
Free Thinker tells the remarkable true story of a “fallen woman” who reinvented herself and became one of the best-known female writers and reformers of the 19th century, in celebration of the suffrage centennial.
HILARITY JUSTIN WILLMAN: MAGIC FOR HUMANS
Sat., March 27, 2021 • 8pm • Historic Theater • $36 (Already On Sale)
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.
HILARITY WHOSE LIVE ANYWAY?
Fri., April 30, 2021
• 8pm • Historic Theater • $38; $45; $59 (Already On Sale)
All the fun of the TV show but LIVE in the Historic Theater and completely improvised, based on your suggestions!
603.436.2400
An engaging, intimate portrait of Emily Dickinson, one of America’s greatest and most-mythologized poets, that sheds new light on her groundbreaking poetry.
INTIMATELY YOURS MELISSA ETHERIDGE 2021 TOUR
Wed., April 21, 2021 • 7:30pm • Historic Theater
$55; $84; $105 (Already On Sale)
The Grammy Award winner returns to The Music Hall with The Medicine Show, an album of healing.
HILARITY KEVIN NEALON
Sat., June 26, 2021 • 8pm • Historic Theater • $32 (Already On Sale)
Best known for his time on SNL and for his role on Weeds, Kevin Nealon sets himself apart from other comedic performers with his unique sense of humor, dry wit, and likable demeanor.
*Check website for ticket package details
CURATOR’S CORNER
It’s Great to Be Back
Thérèse LaGamma, Director of Programming
Welcome back, we really missed you! It’s hard to believe we’ve been working on our reopening plans and safety protocols since March! But we want to make sure that everyone who passes through our doors feels comfortable and safe doing so, from the artists and authors to our volunteers, staff, and you.
I’m thrilled to announce a new series here at The Music Hall—well, outside the Hall. Live Under the Arch will feature food, drinks, and a live performance right on Chestnut Street. We’re bringing in local and regional artists and food from our neighbors for some solid socially-distanced fun! This will be a great opportunity to highlight the talent in our own backyards, and I can’t wait to share this with you.
We’re starting with the shows outside and hopefully around the time this magazine lands in your inbox, we’ll be showing movies inside the Historic Theater to limited audiences. Keep an eye on our website and newsletters for new shows being announced all the time! We are eager to present high-quality programming to you when you’re ready to return to the Hall.
For more information on our reopening plan, please read the update below or visit our website at TheMusicHall.org/Reopening for all of our guidelines, shows, and procedures.
COVID-19 Reopening Update
We have been working tirelessly with other arts organizations large and small across the state to develop robust guidelines for reopening in addition to those issued by the Governor’s task force. Thanks also to all of you who provided feedback in our reopening survey. The data was helpful as we buttoned up our reopening plan to ensure we are doing everything we can for your safety and ours before we reopen.
Our plan is to start with a phased approach and limited audiences, reassessing often. That means that as this publication was going to the printer, we were still working on programming shows and films for August while finishing up our backstage projects. Visit themusichall.org/Reopening for the most up-to-date information on our safety protocols and what you can expect—as well as what’s expected of you, our patrons—when you return to the theater.
Thank You for Helping Us Fill The Hall!
Wow, just wow. The community really showed up for Gather at Fill the Hall back on June 27. Since it’s 2020, we were hoping for 20,000 pounds of food and $20,000 in cash donations to help mitigate the impact COVID-19 has had on Gather’s food pantry and resources. Not only did we meet that (we thought lofty) goal, but we exceeded it by mid-day!
It was a truly magical day. Thanks to the 70+ mini food drives led by volunteers and neighborhood captains across the Seacoast, we started the day with 10,000 pounds! Beginning at 9am, folks walked up with bags of food for the pantry, stopping to take a picture with the red chairs under the marquee. Truck loads—even a boatload!—from neighborhood campaigns pulled up to the cheers of volunteers and staff sorting and documenting the day. Towns and cities who participated went as far out as Rochester, showing the extent of the impact of this food drive on the community.
Inside the Historic Theater, a rainbow of bags were set out on the 895 seats to demonstrate the socially distanced filling of the Hall. By the end of the day, we raised $75,000 and collected 26,590 pounds of food for Gather. Thank you to all of the people who made this possible: the volunteers who ran mini food drives across the Seacoast, the kind and dedicated sponsors who promoted and collected (Service Credit Union and Kennebunk Savings Bank), Gather and The Music Hall’s staff members, and all of you! Thank you.
HERE & NOW
It’s YOU. Thank You.
Annual Fundraiser
Offers Virtual Kitchen Tours
The Music Hall’s Kitchen Tour, our annual fundraising event, is a massive undertaking. As soon as it’s over, we’re at work on the next year’s event (sometimes even before!). Scott Purswell, President of Dovetailed Kitchens, Inc. serves on the Kitchen Tour Committee and is the Annual Sponsor of the Tour. He chatted with us about the group’s process and preparations as they pivoted to make this year’s event an online extravaganza, available Sunday, September 27.
We’re here for you. We’re here because of you. Contributions from our members and sponsors have kept The Music Hall afloat for decades. We’ve been heartened that the stream of support has continued in these difficult times, as those of you who are able have continued to give to The Music Hall.
On the sponsorship side, we’re thrilled to announce that our three Season Sponsors have renewed for the 2020-21 Season. We are welcoming back Carey & Giampa, Realtors, for their eighth season; Portwalk Place for a seventh season; and are delighted to have the River House restaurant, our very first Season Sponsor, commemorating their tenth anniversary in the role. Our lead sponsor, B2W Software, will return for their fifth year of Box Office sponsorship.
We are also grateful for those philanthropic individuals who are part of The Music Hall family: Our members and donors, who in an incredible vote of confidence, continue to renew their memberships in these tumultuous times. Your support is an integral part of the raft we are building to navigate these unprecedented waters and we look forward to continuing the journey to better days ahead.
The Music Hall is a place where people of all backgrounds can come together to experience, learn, and grow. We are also, in good times, an economic engine, bringing thousands of people into downtown Portsmouth year round. We appreciate our members and sponsors not only for their financial contribution, but for the example they set in their recognition that support for The Music Hall is support for our community.
How did you first become involved with the Kitchen Tour?
When I first opened the showroom in 1999, I wanted to become involved with The Music Hall. It’s such a vital part of the community here; it was my first choice of any local organization. And the Kitchen Tour is a perfect fit for us.
How is this year different from previous years?
Moving to a virtual tour means we can innovate and make this experience distinct. Every year has a little different feel than the others. It’s always an adventure! Going back to New Castle is terrific and you will love seeing the beautiful homes we’ve selected.
Fall in love on Sunday, September 27 when the Kitchen Tour remotely returns to historic New Castle. Coordinate a viewing party with family and friends and support The Music Hall from afar, together! Visit us online to purchase tickets today.
With Gratitude to Our Corporate Partners
Our sincerest thanks to our valued corporate investors for their commitment and contributions. Your dedication allows us to serve as an active and vital arts center in the Seacoast community.
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT
Harvard Pilgrim and The Music Hall—Looking Out for Your Well-being!
We rely on the support of a generous group of dedicated sponsors to bring the brightest literary stars to The Music Hall through our Writers on a New England Stage series. This season we are pleased to welcome returning sponsor Harvard Pilgrim Health Care to this illustrious association.
A leading not-for-profit health services company, Harvard Pilgrim is working to guide their members to better health. We like that, as we know The Music Hall has a hand to play in better health for our members. Research suggests that participation in the arts is highly beneficial to our mental and physical well-being, helping to turn young people into well-rounded citizens and keeping seniors active and involved in their communities.
Writers on a New England Stage events provide a perfect place to foster the kind of community that keeps people engaged. Join us at the next WNES event for a stimulating presentation followed by an opportunity to socialize with a visiting author—as well as your fellow bibliophiles. Then take a moment to thank Harvard Pilgrim Health Care for making this program possible.
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.
proud supporters of t he Music h all
Author Tommy Orange in May 2019 Credit: David J. Murray/ClearEyePhoto.com
AT A GLANCE
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 summer programming, please visit TheMusicHall.org and sign up for our enews.
SEPTEMBER
Live at the Loft
Suzzy Roche and Lucy Wainwright Roche
Sunday, September 13 • 7pm
29th Annual Kitchen Tour (Virtual)
Sunday, September 27 • New Castle, NH
OCTOBER
Live at the Loft
Amy Black (NEW DATE)
Saturday, October 3 • 8pm
Live at the Loft
Alex Cuba (NEW DATE)
Thursday, October 8 • 7:30pm
Rental Partner
DSP Shows presents Gordon Lightfoot: 80 Years Strong Tour
Saturday, October 10 • 8pm
Innovation + Leadership
Kimberly Hamlin (NEW DATE)
Thursday, October 15 • 7pm
Live at the Loft
ETHEL
Friday, October 23 • 8pm
Intimately Yours
Josh Turner (NEW DATE)
Saturday, October 24 • 8pm
Live at the Loft
Robbie Fulks
Saturday, October 24 • 8pm
NOVEMBER
Online Holiday Auction
Sunday, November 8- Sunday, November 22
Writers in the Loft
Martha Ackmann (NEW DATE)
Tuesday, November 10 • 7pm
Rental Partner
DSP Shows: Wailin’ Jennys (NEW DATE)
Friday, November 13 • 7:30pm
Dan Brown’s Wild Symphony Benefit Concert
Sunday, November 15 • 2pm
Live at the Loft
Teddy Thompson (NEW DATE) Friday, November 20 • 8pm
The Ogunquit Playhouse at The Music Hall presents Irving Berlin’s White Christmas the Musical Wed., November 25 - Sun., December 13
DECEMBER
The Ogunquit Playhouse at The Music Hall presents Irving Berlin’s White Christmas the Musical Wed., November 25 - Sun., December 13
Hilarity
Hari Kondabolu (NEW DATE) Saturday, December 12 • 8pm
Hilarity
Juston McKinney: Last Laugh: A Year In Review Saturday, December 26 • 5pm & 8pm; Sunday, December 27 • 5pm
The Music Hall Presents New Year’s Eve Champagne Pops with the Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra Thursday, December 31 • 8pm
JANUARY 2021
Intimately Yours
Angélique Kidjo (NEW DATE)
Saturday, January 23 • 8pm
FEBRUARY 2021
Intimately Yours Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy (NEW DATE) Sunday, February 28 • 4pm
MARCH 2021
The Music Hall Presents Masters of Illusion: Believe the Impossible Thursday, March 4 • 7:30pm
Intimately Yours
The Tallest Man on Earth (NEW DATE) Sunday, March 7 • 7pm
School Days Series
The Pout-Pout Fish Monday, March 8 • 9:30am & 11:30am
Intimately Yours
Lyle Lovett & His Acoustic Group (NEW DATE) Friday, March 12 • 8pm
School Days Series
The Very Hungry Caterpillar & Other Eric Carle Classics
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
MARCH 2021
Hilarity
Justin Willman: Magic in Real Life Tour (NEW DATE)
Saturday, March 27 • 8pm
School Days Series
Rosie Revere, Engineer & Friends
Tuesday, March 30 • 9:30am & 11:30am
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
JUNE 2021
Intimately Yours
Keb’ Mo’ (NEW DATE)
Wednesday, June 2 • 7:30pm
Hilarity
Kevin Nealon (NEW DATE) Saturday, June 26 • 8pm
JULY 2021
Intimately Yours
Straight No Chaser (NEW DATE) Thursday, July 29 • 8pm
