April/Mid-May 2022 Magazine

ON SALE NOW

THE OGUNQUIT PLAYHOUSE AT THE MUSIC HALL PRESENTS ELF THE MUSICAL Holiday 2022 - schedule coming soon!

Back by popular demand! Elf The Musical is the hilarious tale of Buddy, an orphan child who thinks he’s one of Santa’s elves. It’s a modern-day Christmas classic for the whole family.

EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT

Members can take an additional 10% off their tickets to the first week of the show. Promotion runs through July 31. Don’t be a cotton-headed ninnymuggins—get your tickets early.

• 10% discount for Friend level (save up to $9.90/ticket)

• 20 % discount for Advocate-Patron (save up to $19.80/ticket)

• 30 % discount for Backer-Stakeholder (save up to $29.70/ticket)

HILARITY PIFF THE MAGIC DRAGON AND PUDDLES PITY PARTY

Tue., May 17 • 7pm

Historic Theater

Two viral sensations and “losers” from America’s Got Talent band together for a hilarious double bill, the Piff and Puddles Misery Loves Company Tour.

FILL THE HALL

Sun., June 26

• 9am-3pm • Historic Theater

Our annual collaboration with Gather to fill every seat in the Historic Theater with bags of food for the Meals 4 Kids program, which feeds 700 Seacoast children each week throughout the summer.

HILARITY PAULA POUNDSTONE

Sat., October 1 • 8pm • Historic Theater

Paula Poundstone is known for her smart, observational humor, and a spontaneous wit that has become the stuff of legend.

INTIMATELY YOURS BONNY LIGHT HORSEMAN

Thu., June 9 • 7:30pm

Historic Theater

Anaïs Mitchell, Eric D. Johnson, and Josh Kaufman create energetic transatlantic folk music.

INTIMATELY YOURS COLBIE CAILLAT

Wed., October 19 • 7:30pm • Historic Theater

The two-time Grammy Award-winning singersongwriter returns to The Music Hall!

RENTAL PARTNERS

INTIMATELY YOURS NATALIE MACMASTER & DONNELL LEAHY

Sun., February 26, 2023 4pm Historic Theater RESCHEDULED

MAGAZINE

Monte Bohanan

Dan Brown

SELT PRESENTS

WILD & SCENIC FILM FESTIVAL

Fri., April 22 • 7pm • Historic Theater

EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS

Mary Beth Johnson

Wesley Lovell

John Page

Tina Sawtelle

THANK YOU TO OUR CORPORATE PARTNERS

TEDxPORTSMOUTH: HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT

Fri., May 20 • 8am • Historic Theater

DESIGN

Sara Turner

Brittany Wason

Kaitlyn Huwe

CURATOR’S CORNER

A SparkleJollyTwinkleJingley Announcement!

TINA SAWTELLE, Executive Director

While the snow is melting to make way for spring bulbs and blooms, I encourage you to hold on to that winter wonder feeling for just a moment longer...because the Ogunquit Playhouse at The Music Hall holiday production is returning this December with the jolly and joyful Elf The Musical! That's right! Everyone's favorite elf and all of his friends are back for this hilarious musical. Don't miss the stunning dance (and ice skating!) numbers, whimsical sets, and catchy songs—after all, the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear!

The other big news is our smaller venue (formerly known as The Loft) has a new name: The Music Hall Lounge! This name better reflects the open and comfortable seating arrangements and the exciting vibe of the renovated space. Read more about The Lounge and check out the latest layout rendering on page 15. Stay tuned for updates on TheMusicHall.org/Lounge2022.

HERE & NOW

Visit TheMusicHall.org/Blog for the full interview!

Family Fun with Dan Brown's Wild Symphony!

On Saturday, April 2, bestselling author Dan Brown and The Music Hall’s resident orchestra, the Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra (PSO), will join forces to present Brown’s first-ever children’s book, Wild Symphony. PSO’s musical director John Page connected with Dan Brown for this exclusive interview ahead of the benefit event (full interview on our blog!).

JOHN PAGE: What can people expect to see on stage from the performance?

DAN BROWN: Animals, music, playful poetry and colorful illustrations—plenty of fun awaits! The Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra will perform the music of Wild Symphony—a series of short pieces that each depict a different animal—and I will read the accompanying poems with them on stage. I hope to see this show as a way to share my own love of music and reading, and also help ignite the imaginations of children in the audience.

JP: Tell us a bit more about the benefit aspect to this performance and why you are supporting The Music Hall and Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra?

DB: The pandemic has impacted not only arts and culture but also education. The chance to share Wild Symphony here in my own community feels like a wonderful opportunity to get back to the wonderful joy of art, culture, and learning. I have close ties to The Music Hall and count myself very lucky to live in a town that attracts such world-class entertainment. And of course, the Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra is a fantastic organization, and I’m very excited to hear them play Wild Symphony.

Thank You to Our Members!

Every May, The Music Hall team celebrates you, our members, whose support and generosity anchor the success of our organization in the Seacoast community. You are the reason we are able to welcome artists and musicians, scholars and authors, comedians and actors to the stage week after week. Simply put—we do what we do because of you. We love seeing you at sold-out shows, hearing your thoughts at our membersonly Book Club, and catching up at Director’s Club events throughout the year. We are grateful for your steadfast commitment and passion, and we thank you for supporting us.

Not a Member Yet?

Membership is vital to The Music Hall’s success, and we would love for you to join us. If you are not a member or you let your membership lapse, now is a perfect time to join (or rejoin) the family. Not only do you receive our eternal gratitude for becoming a member, but also there are other great benefits to being a part of this fantastic group. You can learn more about our membership levels and the associated benefits by visiting us online or calling our Ticket and Member Services team.

As we look toward the future, we invite you to join today and be an active part of The Music Hall’s next exhilarating chapter.

ON STAGE

THE MUSIC HALL PRESENTS DAN BROWN’S WILD SYMPHONY BENEFIT CONCERT

Sat., April 2 • 2pm • Historic Theater

Dan Brown, #1 New York Times bestselling author, has a new credential on his already-singular resume: composer of the orchestral music from Wild Symphony, his new illustrated children’s book. The book features twenty-one musical portraits drawn from the animal kingdom. From the joyous rhythms of “Bouncing Kangaroo” to the mysterious melodies of “Wondrous Whale” to the hair-raising harmonies of “Brilliant Bat,” Wild Symphony is a very wild symphony indeed.

The Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra will join Dan Brown on our stage to perform this classical debut for the young at heart. Proceeds benefit Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra and The Music Hall.

ON STAGE

INTIMATELY YOURS SERIES SPONSORS:

INTIMATELY YOURS STRAIGHT NO CHASER

Mon., April 4 • 8pm • Historic Theater

Straight No Chaser is the real deal, the captivating sound of nine unadulterated human voices coming together to make extraordinary music, having built a reputation as an unforgettable live act.

EVENING SPONSORS:

AC Hotel Marriott; BANKW Staffing, LLC; Leone, McDonnell and Roberts, PA

THE MUSIC HALL PRESENTS NEW HAMPSHIRE THEATRE PROJECT’S 6TH ANNUAL STORYTELLING FESTIVAL

Fri., April 8 • 8pm • Historic Theater

New Hampshire Theatre Project’s 6th Annual Storytelling Festival will once again take place at The Music Hall. Featured performers include Anne Jennison, Gwendolyn Quezaire-Presutti, and Megan Wells. Music will be provided by Ben Baldwin and Kent Allyn. This year’s Festival will focus on traditions and lessons from the past, woven around NHTP’s season theme of Are We There Yet?

ON STAGE

THE MUSIC HALL PRESENTS MEDIA PARTNER:

INTIMATELY YOURS SERIES SPONSORS:

THE MUSIC HALL PRESENTS RANDY ARMSTRONG AND VOLKER NAHRMANN: BEYOND BORDERS

Sat., April 9 • 8pm • Historic Theater

Fusion pioneers Randy Armstrong and Volker Nahrmann bring their electrifying blend of jazz and world music traditions to The Music Hall for a captivating evening of global music.

INTIMATELY YOURS CLUB D'ELF FT. JOHN MEDESKI WITH SPECIAL GUEST: VAPORS OF MORPHINE

Sun., April 10 • 7:30pm Historic Theater

Moroccan trance influences combine with a wide spectrum of styles, including jazz, hip hop, electronica, avant garde, prog-rock, and dub, in Club d’Elf’s music.

EVENING SPONSOR: oHive

ON STAGE

INTIMATELY YOURS SERIES SPONSORS:

THE MUSIC HALL PRESENTS MEDIA PARTNER:

INTIMATELY YOURS

AN EVENING WITH COWBOY JUNKIES Tue., April 12 7:30pm Historic Theater Cowboy Junkies pull the rich tradition of country, folk, and blues from the earth, and make it their own by running it through an achingly heartbeat-paced psychedelia.

EVENING SPONSORS:

INTIMATELY YOURS TODD SNIDER

Wed., April 13

• 7pm • Historic Theater

Touring behind his latest release, First Agnostic Church of Hope and Wonder, Snider is a storyteller who works in a similar creative soil to

ON STAGE

HILARITY SERIES

SPONSORS:

HILARITY KEVIN NEALON

Sat., April 16 • 8pm • Historic Theater

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.

EVENING SPONSORS:

HILARITY HARI KONDABOLU AT 3S ARTSPACE

Sat., April 23 • 8pm • 3S Artspace

Hari Kondabolu is a Brooklyn-based comedian, writer, and podcaster. The NY Times called him “one of the most exciting political comics in stand-up today” and his 2018 Netflix special Warn Your Relatives was named on many “Best of” lists, including Time, Paste Magazine, Cosmopolitan, E! Online, and Mashable.

About 3S Artspace

Through the unique lens of contemporary arts experiences, 3S Artspace invites divergent perspectives and encourages lively discourse centered around issues of today. Located at 319 Vaughan Street, a short walk from The Music Hall.

ON STAGE

INTIMATELY YOURS

SERIES SPONSORS:

INTIMATELY YOURS NEKO CASE

Thu., April 28 • 7:30pm

Historic Theater

Bending decades of pop music into new shapes, New England-based singersongwriter Neko Case wields her voice like a kiss and her metaphors like a baseball bat.

INTIMATELY YOURS DIONNE WARWICK

Fri., April 29 • 8pm • Historic Theater

Dionne Warwick is a six-time Grammy Award-winning music legend who has recorded more than 75 charted hit songs and sold over 100 million records.

EVENING SPONSORS:

Leone, McDonnell and Roberts, PA; Piscataqua Savings Bank; Whole Life Health Care

ON STAGE

INTIMATELY YOURS SERIES SPONSORS:

HILARITY SERIES SPONSORS:

INTIMATELY YOURS AN EVENING WITH ANGÉLIQUE KIDJO

Sat., April 30 • 8pm • Historic Theater

Four-time Grammy Award winner Angélique Kidjo is one of the greatest artists in international music today, a creative force delivering high-energy, rousing live performances around the globe.

EVENING SPONSOR: Petersen Engineering

HILARITY JIMMY TINGLE LIVE!

Sat., May 7 8pm Historic Theater

the good, the bad, and the ugly of the pandemic with the humor, hope, and humanity the world so desperately needs in 2022

ON STAGE

SCHOOL DAYS SERIES SPONSOR:

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

WRITERS ON A NEW ENGLAND STAGE IS A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN:

SCHOOL DAYS SERIES PSO PRESENTS DAN BROWN’S WILD SYMPHONY

Tue., May 10 • 10am & 12:30pm • Historic Theater

PRESENTING SPONSOR:

SERIES SPONSOR:

MEDIA PARTNER:

Meet Maestro Mouse and learn about the symphony orchestra! The Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra presents an abbreviated version of Dan Brown’s Wild Symphony, a whimsical adventure for children about the orchestra and its musical instruments. Animated episodes from the book will be projected on the screen during the performance and excerpts from the book will be read during the concert.

ABOUT THE 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.

WRITERS ON A NEW ENGLAND STAGE AMOR TOWLES

Tue., May 10 7pm Historic Theater

Join us in person as the bestselling author of A Gentleman in Moscow and master of absorbing, sophisticated fiction returns with a propulsive novel set in 1950s America—now a #1 New York Times bestseller!

CINEMA

MET AT THE MUSIC HALL SERIES SPONSOR: RiverWoods Exeter

THE MET AT THE MUSIC HALL DON CARLOS (VERDI)

Sun., April 3 • 12pm

For the first time in company history, the Met presents the original five-act French version of Verdi’s epic opera of doomed love among royalty, set against the backdrop of the Spanish Inquisition.

NATIONAL THEATRE OF LONDON HD BROADCAST THE BOOK OF DUST

Thu., April 7 • 7pm

Eighteen years after his groundbreaking production of His Dark Materials at the National Theatre, director Nicholas Hytner returns to Phillip Pullman’s parallel universe. Recorded live from London’s Bridge Theatre.

EXTRAORDINARY CINEMA THE TORCH

Sat., April 23 7pm

Guitar icon Buddy Guy reflects on his legacy and the blues lessons he received from legends Muddy Waters and Howlin Wolf.

THE MET AT THE MUSIC HALL TURANDOT (PUCCINI)

Sat., May 7 12:55pm

Tenor Yonghoon Lee is the bold prince determined to win Turandot’s love, alongside soprano Ermonela Jaho as the devoted servant Liù and legendary bass Ferruccio Furlanetto as the blind king Timur.

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

EXTRAORDINARY CINEMA ANYTHING GOES

Wed., April 6 • 7pm

Filmed live at the Barbican in London, this major new 5-star production of the classic musical comedy features an all-star cast led by renowned Broadway royalty Sutton Foster.

EXTRAORDINARY CINEMA BELFAST

Fri., April 15 • 7pm

A young boy and his working-class Belfast family experience the tumultuous late 1960s. Directed by Kenneth Branagh, and starring Jamie Dornan, Caitríona Balfe, and Judi Dench.

EXTRAORDINARY CINEMA PRINCE & THE REVOLUTION: THE PURPLE RAIN TOUR

Wed., May 4 7pm & Thu., May 5 • 7pm

Widely regarded as one of Prince’s finest shows, the iconic two-hour concert includes cinema-exclusive content.

EXTRAORDINARY CINEMA SABRINA (1954)

Sun., May 8 3pm

A Mother’s Day special, hosted by Jeannie MacDonald! Starring Humphrey Bogart, Audrey Hepburn, and William Holden.

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT

Engaging with Authors, with Thanks to Our Sponsors

Music is in our name, but The Music Hall is your place for a diverse array of experiences. Fans of the written word, for example, flock to The Music Hall for literary exposure and inspiration. We welcome bestselling authors from around the globe through our celebrated Writers on a New England Stage series, which we host in partnership with New Hampshire Public Radio and with the support of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care and Piscataqua Landscaping & Tree Service. Noted scientists and thought-leaders grace our stages for stimulating Innovation + Leadership events, thanks to our sponsors Atlantic Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine and Bangor Savings Bank. Our Book Club gathers at Portwalk Place on a monthly basis to chew through award-winning works under the leadership of a skilled moderator and with the support of sponsor Sheehan Phinney.

We love books. We love authors. And as we mentioned in the Membership article, we love you, our members. We encourage you to join us at an upcoming literary event, participate in an insightful Q&A with an author, or attend our Book Club. Check our calendar to plan your schedule for this spring and beyond!

UPCOMING MEMBER EVENTS

BOOK CLUB

Portwalk Place, Portsmouth

THE SPARROW by Mary Doria Russell moderated by Dana Clinton Mon., 4/11 • 6pm

POINT OF GRAVES by J. Dennis Robinson moderated by Ashleigh Tucker Pollock & J. Dennis Robinson Mon., 5/9 • 6pm

THE LINCOLN HIGHWAY by Amor Towles Mon., 6/13 • 6pm

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

BOOK CLUB SPONSOR: Sheehan Phinney

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

APRIL 2022

The Music Hall Presents

Dan Brown’s Wild Symphony Benefit Concert

Saturday, April 2 • 2pm

Met at The Music Hall

Don Carlos (Verdi)

Sunday, April 3 • 12pm

Intimately Yours

Straight No Chaser

Monday, April 4 • 8pm

Extraordinary Cinema

Anything Goes

Wednesday, April 6 • 7pm

National Theatre of London HD Broadcast The Book of Dust

Thursday, April 7 • 7pm

The Music Hall Presents NHTP’s 6th Annual Storytelling Festival Friday, April 8 • 8pm

The Music Hall Presents

Randy Armstrong & Volker Nahrmann: Beyond Borders

Saturday, April 9 • 8pm

Intimately Yours

Club d'Elf ft. John Medeski

Sunday, April 10 • 7:30pm

Intimately Yours

An Evening with Cowboy Junkies

Tuesday, April 12 • 7:30pm

Intimately Yours

Todd Snider

Wednesday, April 13 • 7pm

Extraordinary Cinema

Belfast

Friday, April 15 • 7pm

Meet The Music Hall Lounge!

Our smaller venue (formerly known as The Loft) has a new name: The Music Hall Lounge! This name better reflects the more open, comfortable seating arrangements and the exciting vibe of the renovated space. The Lounge will present musicians, comedians, authors, and panelists in a gorgeous and intimate setting. With construction well underway and the grand reopening scheduled for July, we're eager to share the line-up with you soon. Stay tuned for sneak peeks, the latest construction updates, and new features at TheMusicHall.org/Lounge2022 and on our social media!

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

APRIL 2022 CONT...

Hilarity

Kevin Nealon

Saturday, April 16 • 8pm

Rental Partner

SELT presents Wild & Scenic Film Festival

Friday, April 22 • 7pm

Extraordinary Cinema

The Torch

Saturday, April 23 • 7pm

Hilarity

Hari Kondabolu at 3S Artspace

Saturday, April 23 • 8pm • 3S Artspace

Intimately Yours Neko Case

Thursday, April 28 • 7:30pm

Intimately Yours

Dionne Warwick Friday, April 29 • 8pm

Intimately Yours

An Evening with Angélique Kidjo Saturday, April 30 • 8pm

MAY 2022

Extraordinary Cinema

Prince & the Revolution: The Purple Rain Tour

Wednesday, May 4 • 7pm & Thursday, May 5 • 7pm

Met at The Music Hall

Turandot (Puccini)

Saturday, May 7 • 12:55pm

Hilarity

Jimmy Tingle Live!

Saturday, May 7 • 8pm

MAY 2022 CONT...

Extraordinary Cinema

Sabrina (1954)

Sunday, May 8 • 3pm

School Days Series

PSO presents Dan Brown's Wild Symphony

Tuesday, May 10 • 10am & 12:30pm

Writers on a New England Stage

Amor Towles

Tuesday, May 10 • 7pm

Rental Partner

Gordon Lightfoot: 80 Years Strong Tour

Wednesday, May 11 • 8pm

Hilarity

Piff the Magic Dragon and Puddles Pity Party

Tuesday, May 17 • 7pm

Rental Partner

TEDxPortsmouth: Hidden in Plain Sight

Friday, May 20 • 8am

Met at The Music Hall

Lucia di Lammermoor (Donizetti)

Saturday, May 21 • 12:55pm

JUNE 2022

Rental Partner Ports. Symphony Orchestra Spring Concert

Sunday, June 5 • 3pm

Intimately Yours Bonny Light Horseman Thursday, June 9 • 7:30pm

Met at The Music Hall Hamlet (Dean) Sunday, June 12 • 12:55pm

Fill The Hall Sunday, June 26 • 9am-3pm