THE MUSIC HALL’S HOLIDAY MEDLEY
Intimate and elegant cabaret shows, festive films, and the classic holiday programming you love! Stage Door Cabaret MATT NAKOA 12/11
Credit: Michael Winters
KEEPING YOU SAFE DURING COVID-19
What We’re Doing to Keep You and Our Staff Safe:
• We are following guidance issued by the Governor’s task force and CDC, as well as adding other safety measures.
• Staff and volunteers will be wearing masks and have been trained on the proper measures for use of PPE.
• Our new and upgraded HVAC system is installed with medical-grade filtration and iWave ionization. We increased the circulation rates on a 24-hour cycle.
• We created order from your seat, contactless concessions! You can order your snacks and beverages at the show by scanning the QR code at your seat.
• Seats have been spaced with 6 feet of distance between groups—please socially distance in common areas where possible.
What We’re Asking You to Do When You Visit:
• If you are feeling sick, have symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, loss of smell or taste, muscle aches, sore throat, cough, shortness of breath, chills, headache, gastrointestinal issues), or if you have been exposed to someone who has tested positive to COVID-19, please stay home!
• We’re asking you to protect yourself, our staff, and our community by wearing a mask in all communal areas. You may remove your mask while sitting in your seat, but please wear your mask while entering, exiting, and if you visit concessions or the restrooms.
For the most up-to-date information visit: TheMusicHall.org/Reopening
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Specifically, how you prefer to hear from us! Take a short survey on how you’d like us to continue to communicate with you. Please fill out our survey at TheMusicHall.org/TMHCommunications by Tuesday, December 15.
A NOTE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Credit: PizzutiPhotography.com
RE-ENVISIONING THE HOLIDAYS
TINA SAWTELLE, Executive Director
Winter is fast approaching and when the weather outside is frightful, inside The Music Hall is always delightful! The Music Hall staff and I welcome you to come inside, out of the cold for some live entertainment this holiday season!
Thanks to the love and support of Paul and Jessica McKeon, the Stage Door Cabaret series will bring the audience on stage with the artist. Enjoy small gathering-style seating for your family or bubble buddies, in a socially-distanced martini bar atmosphere. The cabaret will have a little something for everyone, and I hope you’ll join us on stage for this brand new series (more on page 4). We also have some great live shows inside the Hall, again, socially distanced, as well as holiday films on the big screen, including a Music Hall favorite, Elf! For the Loft, we have partnered with the very talented Malloy Events team to create a holiday shoppe! You can pre-order flower arrangements and pick up your wreaths, as well as shop the special items handpicked for the holiday season. We couldn’t put these shows on without the support of our members, patrons, and partners. With everything going on, it’s important that we all take stock of the people around us and lift each other up. We are so grateful for all of you who have helped us out during this pandemic. As winter approaches, we’re in for more challenging times. The Music Hall has weathered many storms (and winters) for nearly 150 years, and we will make it through this one too. But we need your help. Please consider a donation or membership this holiday season and keep the arts alive. By helping us stay vibrant through the winter, we can continue to do the work we need to do, letting a little light shine through. More information at TheMusicHall.org/donate.
As I look out at the big, warm Hall, I’m encouraged by the acts that will soon grace the stage, by the folks dressed to the nines, and the laughter from staff, volunteers, and patrons greeting each other once again. Happy Holidays and we hope to see you soon.
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT
You Make Our Holidays Bright!
To those of you who will be visiting The Music Hall this month to continue your holiday traditions, thank you! We are excited to welcome you. With our newly installed state-of-the-art HVAC system, adjusted seating plans carefully designed to allow for spacious seating for limited audiences, and contactless concessions services, you can feel comfortable attending Music Hall events. Release some holiday tension with A Very Ida Christmas on December 20, seek solace with the Boston Camerata on December 22, or bid adieu to 2020 (phew) with Juston McKinney on December 26 and 27
When you’re in the house for these shows, you can order your drinks and snacks online, right from your seat, and we’ll bring your order to you! While you’re treating yourself, take a moment to appreciate our fine front of house sponsors: the New Hampshire Liquor Commission (who just renewed their support), ReVision Energy (hooray for compostable cups!), Bluedrop Water, Carpe Diem coffee, and Popzup Popcorn. If you want to support those who support The Music Hall, find out more about these and our other sponsors at TheMusicHall.org/OurPartners.
And of course, be sure to let your friends and neighbors know how much you enjoyed your visit. Word of mouth is so very valuable in this business! We appreciate your support and advocacy on our behalf.
proud supporters of t he Music h all
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.
JUST ANNOUNCED
HOLIDAY CO-OP SHOPPE
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MALLOY EVENTS
November 27 - December 23
Wednesdays - Sundays • 12pm - 7:30pm
The Music Hall and Malloy Events are partnering to bring you a cornucopia of holiday cheer, in a socially-distanced holiday shop in our elegant and intimate Loft venue.
“We really wanted to bring the holiday season to our community since so many events have been cancelled or postponed and we thought creating a little holiday nook in downtown Portsmouth would be a great idea,” said Kate Malloy of Malloy Events. “We love working with fellow creatives and when we started brainstorming ideas, things just came together.”
The Holiday Co-op Shoppe will offer preordered floral arrangements for pick-up in different styles, such as classic, rustic, whimsical, and in varying sizes. Custom wreaths and garlands, ready-to-go items, and perfect host/ess gifts will also be available for all of your holiday needs. Great branded merchandise, holiday cards, and gift giving items will help make this challenging time of the year a bit easier in our one-stop decorating shop!
Don’t let your holidays pass by, dull and dreary—add some cheer with decorations and gifts from some local events organizations!
IN PARTNERSHIP
WITH:
STAGE DOOR CABARET
As tough as we are, even New Englanders have to go inside at some point...So we’re replicating the arrangement of our Live Under the Arch series framed by the gorgeous arch on Chestnut Street, and adapting to create the new Stage Door Cabaret series! World-renowned artists and much beloved favorites will grace the stage, as will you!
Imagine entering a cool, speakeasy club through the grand stage doors (tall enough for huge set pieces and even, once upon a time, elephants!) to step on the same stage as many of your favorite artists have done. Tables are socially-distanced and arranged for small gatherings, so you and your pod can enjoy professional table service, sharable bites, and tasty beverages. And to your right, the whole auditorium opens up for stunning views from your seat on stage.
Paul and Jessica McKeon loved the cabaret concept so much, they stepped up to underwrite this fun new series! Generous philanthropists, Paul is the CEO of B2W Software and Jessica is a hardworking member of our board of trustees. With their support, we’ve been able to program a huge range of musical genres: opera, Broadway, R&B, folk, jazz, rock, country, and more! And the McKeon’s Bar will be serving up some serious seasonal cocktails!
We hope you’ll join us at the Stage Door Cabaret this month. But don’t worry, no password necessary!
Credit: Michael Winters
ON STAGE: STAGE DOOR CABARET
STAGE DOOR CABARET
IS PRESENTED BY: Paul & Jessica McKeon
UTE GFRERER
Sat., November 28 • 6pm & 8pm
Ute Gfrerer will lead us into the holidays with her varied repertoire from classical, opera, and Broadway.
TAYLOR O’DONNELL QUARTET
Sat., December 5 • 6pm & 8pm
Taylor O’Donnell mixes her unique sound and roots in R&B, folk, jazz, rock, and classical music with beloved winter favorites.
ON STAGE: STAGE DOOR CABARET
STAGE DOOR CABARET IS PRESENTED BY: Paul & Jessica McKeon
Fri., December 11
• 6pm & 8pm • Historic Theater
Matt Nakoa is an award-winning folk singer-songwriter whose music is a spellbinding blend of pop, soul, and classical influences. He appears regularly with folk music icon Tom Rush.
Sat., December 12
• 6pm & 8pm • Historic Theater
A
MATT NAKOA
CELIA WOODSMITH & JASON ANICK TRIO
new supergroup featuring Della Mae’s Celia Woodsmith, Jason Anick, and Charles Clements, performing an array of roots, country, swing, and bluegrass music.
ON STAGE: STAGE DOOR CABARET
STAGE DOOR CABARET IS PRESENTED BY: Paul & Jessica McKeon
TREASON QUARTET FT. STUART DIAS OF SOGGY PO’ BOYS
Thu., December 17 • 6pm & 8pm • Historic Theater
Playing a versatile combo of traditional swing jazz and everything from Irving Berlin, Hank Williams, Louis Armstrong, and Dolly Parton—this group explores the simplicity and elegance of music.
SHARON JONES QUARTET
Sat., December 19 • 6pm & 8pm
Historic Theater
Portsmouth gem Sharon Jones lights up the historic stage with riff-driven, highenergy R&B and Blues tunes that will have you dancing in your seat!
ON STAGE
HILARITY SERIES
SPONSORS:
LIVE AT THE HISTORIC THEATER SERIES SPONSORS:
HILARITY A VERY IDA CHRISTMAS Sun., December 20 • 2pm
Historic Theater
One of Portland Magazine’s “Ten Most Intriguing People in Maine,” awardwinning writer and performer Susan Poulin presents her alter ego, Ida LeClair, and her hilarious holiday show.
LIVE AT THE HISTORIC THEATER BOSTON CAMERATA
Tue., December 22 7pm
Historic Theater
An American Christmas with The Boston Camerata will feature seasonal music from the best of our very own New England traditions. A much-needed lift to the human spirit in these difficult times!
HILARITY JUSTON MCKINNEY: LAST LAUGH: A YEAR IN REVIEW
Sat., December 26 • 5pm & 8pm Sun., December 27 • 5pm & 8pm
Historic Theater
End the year with laughter with the Seacoast’s own Juston McKinney!
ON SCREEN
PRESENTING
CINEMA SPONSOR:
EXTRAORDINARY CINEMA
SERIES SPONSOR:
A CHRISTMAS STORY (1983) PG • 1h 34m • US
Tue., December 1 • 7pm
“You’ll shoot your eye out!” This beloved holiday movie follows the wintry exploits of youngster Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley), who spends most of his time dodging a bully (Zack Ward) and dreaming of his ideal Christmas gift, a “Red Ryder air rifle.”
CLARA’S DREAM (2004) NR • 1h 40m • US
Wed., December 16 • 7pm
Presented in partnership with The Dance Hall, Kittery. Locally grown, nationally known, Clara’s Dream: A Jazz Nutcracker thrilled audiences from New York to New Hampshire for almost 10 years. A high-voltage swinging and sophisticated adaptation of Tchaikovsky’s fairytale ballet, Clara’s Dream is a joyous jazz and tap celebration. Originally filmed at The Music Hall in 2004 by Robert Pierce.
HOLIDAY FILM SPONSOR:
AARP New Hampshire
ELF (2003) PG • 1h 37m • US
Tue., December 15 • 7pm
Buddy (Will Ferrell) was accidentally transported to the North Pole as a toddler and raised to adulthood among Santa’s elves. Unable to shake the feeling that he doesn’t fit in, the adult Buddy travels to New York, in full elf uniform, in search of his real father.
IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE
(1946) PG • 2h 10m • US
Wed., December 23 • 2pm
After George Bailey (James Stewart) wishes he had never been born, an angel (Henry Travers) is sent to earth to make George’s wish come true. George starts to realize how many lives he has changed and impacted, and how they would be different if he was never there.
HOST YOUR OWN MOVIE NIGHT AT THE MUSIC HALL
Host your own private movie screening for up to 30 guests! Imagine snacking on popcorn, laughing with friends, family, or coworkers, and enjoying your choice of all-time favorite movies in the privacy and comfort of your own theater with plenty of space for social distancing.
Dates are filling up fast, weekdays
DECEMBER 2020
JUSTON MCKINNEY