Credit: Kristen Bulger
REOPENING UPDATE
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.
• We’ve upgraded our systems and HVAC to increase safety, and are changing filters more often and increasing the circulation rates on a 24-hour cycle.
• We created order-ahead, contactless concessions! You can order your snacks and beverages before the show.
• We’re asking parties to leave 6 feet of space in all directions in between other parties, and we will be capping our indoor audiences at 50 people per show to start off.
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
The Music Hall Needs Your Help
Thank you to all of you who have continued to support us through this time. The arts face an existential crisis. We were among the first to close and we’ll be the last to open fully. If you are able, please consider a financial gift. You could become a member, renew, or upgrade your membership. We know that it is a very uncertain time for many people, so if a financial gift isn’t in your budget, we understand; you can help us by just spreading the word. The arts are more than just nice to have—saving the arts and cultural organizations means saving downtowns and cities, as well as 12 million jobs nationwide.
To donate, or for more information on membership: TheMusicHall.org/donate
ALREADY ON SALE
Be the first to know about Just Announced shows! Sign up for enews at TheMusicHall.org LIVE AT THE HISTORIC
Fri., October 9 • 8pm • Historic Theater
The Mammals are a warm-blooded party band with a conscience, equally inspired by their folk predecessors and Americana peers.
Sat., October 17 • 8pm • Historic Theater
The creative quartet Sons of Serendip’s emotionally stirring arrangements and fresh compositions make their way to the Historic Theater for a night of socially distanced music!
RESCHEDULED SHOWS
Fri., October 2 • 8pm Historic Theater
AT THE HISTORIC THEATER PATTY LARKIN
Sat., November 14 • 8pm • Historic Theater
A visionary of sound and wonder, a real deal version of artistry made of equal parts guitar wizardry, vocals shot through with soul.
KIDJO
Chris Trapper has become a modern-day acoustic troubadour and storyteller, using his honeyed tenor and humor.
Sat., March 27, 2021 • 8pm • Loft The vibrant, adventurous string quartet sets the standard for contemporary concert music.
Thu., September 2, 2021 • 8pm • Historic Theater
In honor of the album that made them an international act, they are celebrating Flood’s 30th anniversary. INTIMATELY YOURS
Sat., October 23, 2021 • 8pm Historic Theater
Angélique Kidjo’s version of the Talking Heads’ Remain in Light adds electrifying rhythms and African guitars. LIVE
CURATOR’S CORNER
Join Us Under the Stars or in the AC!
Thérèse LaGamma, Director of Programming; Chris Curtis, Film & Outreach Manager; and Brittany Wason, Literary Coordinator
To this curator team (and the whole organization, really), there is nothing more exhilarating than the buzz of a show night: the cascade of applause, the hustle and bustle behind the curtain, and the excited chatter with patrons after the show. We missed that, just as we are sure you did. Thank you for your patience as we worked through programming challenges and safety protocols.
We’ve lined up some entertainment for you whenever you’re ready to come back to the Hall. Inside the Historic Theater, we will be showing some of those movies you were looking forward to. Out front, we packed our Live Under the Arch (LUTA) series with local and regional favorites, as well as some familiar faces! Our resident orchestra, the Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra, will be back on our stages, having performed as a trio at LUTA and coming to the Historic Theater for “The Soldier’s Tale” this month (more on pg 4).
You will see some changes to our calendar and procedures, thanks to COVID-19. LUTA will continue until the end of September and Loft shows will move over to the Historic Theater for more social distancing in the cooler months. The seats will be spread out and noted so you can find seats at least six feet away from your fellow patrons. And through it all, we remain focused on our town, the Seacoast, and our community as whole. Our mission to give back while putting on great shows is thanks to your support, whether it’s by purchasing tickets, donating, becoming a member, or simply spreading the word. Thank you for your patronage and support of your local arts center—we wouldn’t be here without you!
ON STAGE
LIVE UNDER THE ARCH JUSTON MCKINNEY: COMEDY AT A DISTANCE
Thu., Sept. 3 • 6pm & 8pm • Chestnut St
The Seacoast’s favorite, Juston McKinney, joins us for a hilarious evening!
SERIES SPONSORS:
Photo: RayaOnAssignment.com
LIVESTREAM NICK FLYNN
IN CONVERSATION WITH MARIE HOWE
Wed., Sept. 9 • 7pm • Streaming
A searing memoir from the critically acclaimed author on how childhood spills into parenthood.
Fri., Sept. 18 • 9am Streaming
A local chapter of the global lecture series for creatives, featuring a local speaker on the month’s topic.
SERIES SPONSORS: Bangor Savings Bank; Atlantic Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine
MEDIA PARTNER: INNOVATION + LEADERSHIP CREATIVEMORNINGS PKX
SERIES SPONSORS: Piscataqua Landscaping & Tree Service
LIVE UNDER THE ARCH AYLA BROWN & ROB BELLAMY
Thu., Sept. 24 • 6pm & 8pm • Chestnut St
After finding each other in Nashville, the Massachusetts natives and new country duo bring their music back to New England.
SERIES SPONSORS:
LIVE UNDER THE ARCH KAT EDMONSON Thu., Sept. 17 • 6pm & 8pm • Chestnut St
A rare musician who embodies the spirit of the past while remaining resolutely au courant.
SERIES SPONSORS:
LIVE AT THE HISTORIC THEATER PORTSMOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: THE SOLDIER’S TALE
Sat., Sept. 26 • 7:30pm • Historic Theater
This folklike narrative interweaves music, theatre, and dance to tell a tale of fortune, fate, and man’s search for meaning.
HERE & NOW
Portsmouth Symphony Presents
Music, Theatre, and Dance—all in one!
The Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra (PSO) has long wowed us with their exciting and fresh performances, rooted in craft and community. We always look forward to our resident orchestra’s Mainstage shows throughout the year. While many rehearsal and performance spaces have been closed, the PSO has been working on a creative solution. The result is this month’s performance of Stravinsky’s “The Soldier’s Tale (L’histoire du soldat)” on Saturday, September 26.
Considered one of the 20th century’s little masterworks, this will be performed by seven musicians from the Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra, conducted by music director John Page, and four actors from Tufts University, under the stage direction of Carol Mastrodomenico. This folklike, dramatic narrative weaves music, theatre, and dance together for a show that will astound you. We hope you will join us for this stunning (and social distanced) show inside the Historic Theater.
Although the PSO has been The Music Hall’s resident orchestra for only a year, this partnership makes perfect sense by marrying two organizations with deep backgrounds in serving the community through high quality art and education. By distinguishing the PSO as our resident orchestra, they are provided with box office subscription services, specialized marketing services, and seasonally based programming support to put on the vibrant concerts you know and love. We are looking forward to their return on our stage and we can’t wait to see what they come up with next.
Leaving a Legacy
The 1878 Legacy Society was created to recognize the generosity of individuals and families who have made, or provided for, gifts to The Music Hall in their estate plans. Members of the 1878 Legacy Society are helping to ensure the long-term viability and success of The Music Hall for future generations.
Please join us in thanking these individuals who have prioritized The Music Hall, identifying it as a place that exhilarates, engages, and transforms our patrons’ lives while creating a sense of community. To learn more about leaving a legacy, or if you’ve made plans and haven’t yet made us aware, please contact us so we can express our gratitude.
Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Aeschliman, Esq.
Francis Aguilar*
Regina Baraban
Jude Blake
Jim* & Gail VanHoy Carolan
David & Elizabeth Choate
Geoffrey & Martha Fuller Clark
Elizabeth & Ed Cole
Robert & Dorothy Davidson*
David & Karen Della Penta
Dean Diggins
Stephen & Susanne Falzone in memory of Robert & Dorothy Davidson*
C. Dennis Fink
Lois Fonda*
Dean Fournier
Barbara Franzoso & Robert LeGros
Jameson French & Priscilla Stevens French
Mark & Julie Geller
Michael & Cynthia Harvell
Jo Haskell
Arthur Heard*
David Hills & Catherine McLaughlin-Hills
Wendy Lynne Klodt*
Tannye Wold & Stephen Kosacz
Josephine A. Lamprey
Donna Ryan & Andy Livingston
Bob Lord & Laura Reagan
Mr. & Mrs. Edward J. Mallon
Jay & Suzanne McFarland
Jay McSharry
Edward Mehigen
Bob Merriman*
Maxine Morse
Doug & Karin Cullity Nelson
George & Juliana Patten
Marianne Pernold*
Anna Porter
Elisabeth Robinson
Harry Schult*
Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Schwarz, Esq.
Peter Squires
Mark B. Stevens*
Joan White*
Diane F. Woods
Credit: Sydney Bilodeau
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT
Celebrating a Decade of Season Sponsorship
The Music Hall is delighted to celebrate a milestone this season as The Labrie Group and The River House, our first and longest-standing Season Sponsor, celebrates their 10th anniversary in that role. We are so grateful for their generous support and for all they do for our community.
The Labrie Group is owned and operated by brothers Michael and Peter Labrie, who describe their family as being “motivated by a passionate commitment to local history, arts and culture, culinary excellence and community involvement.” The family supports a number of area arts and cultural organizations, individually and through their restaurants The River House, The Atlantic Grill, and (opening Summer 2021) Jimmy’s On Congress — the new downtown music club they are creating in Portsmouth’s historic 1905 YMCA building.
Since signing on as the first Season Sponsor a decade ago, the Labries have continued to expand their commitment. Their steadfastness has motivated others to sponsor and sponsorship retention has increased significantly with the example they have set. The Labrie Group’s support directly benefits you and the more than 110,000 patrons who come through our doors each year to experience quality arts programs. Their ongoing commitment has enabled us to develop lasting partnerships to provide educational opportunities for some 60 community organizations. The impact of the family’s support for the arts at The Music Hall is experienced far and wide.
Should you have the opportunity, please let the Labries and all of our corporate partners know how much you appreciate their support of The Music Hall and, by extension, our Seacoast community.
Credit: Rick Dumont Images
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
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 programming, please visit TheMusicHall.org and sign up for our enews.
SEPTEMBER
Live Under The Arch
Juston McKinney: Comedy at a Distance
Thursday, September 3 • 6pm & 8pm
Writers: Livestream
Nick Flynn
Wednesday, September 9 • 7pm
Live Under The Arch
Kat Edmonson
Thursday, September 17 • 6pm & 8pm
Innovation + Leadership CreativeMornings PKX (Livestream)
Friday, September 18 • 9am
Live Under The Arch
Ayla Brown & Rob Bellamy
Thursday, September 24 • 6pm & 8pm
Live at the Historic Theater Ports. Symphony Orchestra: The Soldier’s Tale
Saturday, September 26 • 7:30pm
OCTOBER
Live at the Historic Theater
Chris Trapper (NEW DATE)
Friday, October 2 • 8pm
Live at the Historic Theater
The Mammals
Friday, October 9 • 8pm
Innovation + Leadership
Kimberly Hamlin (NEW DATE)
Thursday, October 15 • 7pm
Live at the Historic Theater Sons of Serendip
Saturday, October 17 • 8pm
Intimately Yours
Josh Turner (NEW DATE)
NOVEMBER
Online Holiday Auction
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
Hilarity
Brian Regan (NEW DATE) Thu., January 21 & Friday, Jan. 22 • 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
MARCH 2021
Live at the Loft
ETHEL (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
Sunday, November 8- Sunday, November 22
Writers in the Historic Theater
Martha Ackmann (NEW DATE)
Tuesday, November 10 • 7pm
Rental Partner
DSP Shows: Wailin’ Jennys (NEW DATE)
Friday, November 13 • 7:30pm
Live at the Historic Theater
Patty Larkin
Saturday, November 14 • 8pm
Dan Brown’s Wild Symphony Benefit Concert
Sunday, November 15 • 2pm
The Ogunquit Playhouse at The Music Hall presents Irving Berlin’s White Christmas the Musical Wed., November 25 - Sun., December 13
Saturday, October 24 • 8pm Show listings/dates are subject to change
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
Hilarity
Justin Willman: Magic in Real Life Tour (NEW DATE)
Saturday, March 27 • 8pm
Intimately Yours Keb’ Mo’ (NEW DATE)
Wednesday, June 2 • 7:30pm
Hilarity
Kevin Nealon (NEW DATE) Saturday, June 26 • 8pm
THIS MONTH’S MEMBER EVENTS
BOOK CLUB
THE GREAT ALONE BY KRISTIN HANNAH Mon., 9/14 • 6pm
For more information, contact Jess Bunker at 603.766.2176 or JBunker@themusichall.org
