Intimately Yours
Intimately Yours THE MAVERICKS 10/26 & 27
Hilarity BRIAN REGAN 11/10 & 11*
ON SALE NOW
BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS NH PRESENTS
LET’S GO CRAZY FOR THE 80S
Sat., November 6 7pm Historic Theater
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HILARITY JUSTON MCKINNEY: A YEAR IN REVIEW
Sun., December 26 • 6pm; Mon., December 27 • 6pm; Tue., December 28 • 7pm • Historic Theater
End the year with laughter as the Seacoast’s own Juston McKinney performs what have become annual must-see shows at The Music Hall!
27TH ANNUAL 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.
WARRIORS DON'T CRY
Mon., February 7 • 9:30am & 11:30am
ROSIE REVERE, ENGINEER & FRIENDS
Wed., March 9 • 9:30am & 11:30am
THE ADVENTURES OF HAROLD AND THE PURPLE CRAYON
Mon., March 14 9:30am & 11:30am
PORTSMOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA PRESENTS
DAN BROWN'S WILD SYMPHONY
Tue., May 10 • 10am & 12:30pm
WARREN MILLER PRESENTS WINTER STARTS NOW
Thu., November 18 7:30pm; Fri., November 19 6pm & 9pm; Sat., November 20 • 4pm & 7pm • Historic Theater
The Big Brothers Big Sisters of New Hampshire concert for a cause is back. Join us for a fun-filled night of 80s retro with two bands and a killer DJ.
Celebrate 72 years of snow riding with Warren Miller’s Winter Starts Now, and venture from the ski hill down the street to the highest peak on the horizon.
COVID-19 UPDATES
For up-to-date information about what we're doing to keep you safe and what to do when you visit, go to TheMusicHall.org/CovidProtocols
EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS
Monte Bohanan
MAGAZINE
Wesley Lovell
Tina Sawtelle
Sara Turner
Gail VanHoy Carolan
Brittany Wason
THANK YOU TO OUR CORPORATE PARTNERS
Kaitlyn Huwe DESIGN
CURATOR’S CORNER
Looking Back, Looking Forward
BRITTANY WASON, Literary Producer & Content Manager
Here at The Music Hall, an American Treasure and historic landmark, it feels like history is being made every day inside and outside our doors. New partnerships and collaborations are formed, and artists step onto our stages for the first time. And as we move forward into the 2021-2022 season, we must pay homage to everything that came before us.
It’s already proving to be a memorable season with sold out shows, the return of celebrated acts, a Broadway musical—and everything a pandemic brings as well. The new season will feature everything you love and have missed. With a busy fall, we look forward to what we hope to be a phenomenal winter and spring. We kick off the historic year with the completion of the Bite-sized History video series by historian J. Dennis Robinson and filmmaker Jay Childs. Dennis brings his characteristic wit and 400 years worth of Portsmouth’s history to the small screen in digestible bites, and trust me, this guy can make you giggle!
In more recent history, we’ve learned the importance of connecting in any way we can, be it over a screen (and often across the country or farther), or outside in the sun with local artists and friends. As the community has rallied together in the past, let’s continue to do so now. Take care of one another, and we will make it through this. See you soon.
HERE & NOW
Visit TheMusicHall.org/Blog for more behind-the-scenes info!
A Fire in the Bones, Passion in the Soul
Rarely does one artist reach so many different audiences and genres as Terence Blanchard will in a span of just two weeks. The Grammy Award–winning jazz musician and composer’s adaptation of Charles M. Blow’s memoir will premiere on the Met stage, beaming to The Music Hall on Sunday, October 31. Fire Shut Up in My Bones, which tells the profound story of a young man’s journey to overcome a life of trauma and hardship, is the first opera presented by a Black composer and brings stunning new voices to our Met audience.
Just two weeks later on November 13, Blanchard will hit The Music Hall stage (both in-person and virtual!) with two quartets to celebrate the life and work of his mentor Wayne Shorter. A revolutionary performer and composer, Shorter’s legacy lives on in his protege and fellow composer Blanchard. For this special performance, Blanchard unites the internationally acclaimed The E-Collective with Grammy Award-winning Turtle Island Quartet—tickets are still available in the Historic Theater or livestreamed to your device!
Met at The Music Hall 21-22 Season
BORIS GODUNOV (Mussorgsky)
Sat., October 9 • 12:55pm
Approx. runtime: 2h 20m
FIRE SHUT UP IN MY BONES* (Blanchard)
Sun., October 31 • 12:55pm
Approx. runtime: 2h 40m, 30m intermission
EURYDICE* (Aucoin)
Sat., January 8 • 12:55pm
Approx. runtime: 2h 45m, 30m intermission
CINDERELLA* (Massenet)
Sat., January 15 • 12:55pm
Approx. runtime: 1h 35m
RIGOLETTO (Verdi)
Sat., January 29 • 12:55pm
Approx. runtime: 3h 10m, two 30m intermissions
ARIADNE AUF NAXOS* (R. Strauss) Sun., March 20 • 12:55pm Approx. runtime: 2h 50m, 40m intermission
DON CARLOS* (Verdi) Sun., April 3 12pm Approx. runtime: 4h 55m, two 30m intermissions
TURANDOT (Puccini)
Sat., May 7 12:55pm
Approx. runtime: 3h 15m, two 30m intermissions
LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR (Donizetti) Sat., May 21 • 12:55pm Approx. runtime: 3h 25m, two 30m intermissions
HAMLET* (Dean) Sun., June 12 • 12:55pm Approx. runtime: 3h 15m, 30m intermission
Schedule subject to change *Due to The Music Hall programming, this opera will be broadcast after its live date.
Opera Connection
Opera aficionado/writer-producer
Dennis Neil Kleinman leads lively discussions of select opera broadcasts.
SEASON
PREVIEW
Sat., Oct. 2 • 2pm • Historic Theater
ARIADNE AUF NAXOS Sun., Mar. 20 • 11am • Loft
DON CARLOS Sun., April 3 • 10am • Loft
LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR Sat., May 21 11am Loft
Fire Shut Up in My Bones (Blanchard)
ON STAGE
HILARITY SERIES SPONSORS:
OCTOBER/MID-NOVEMBER
INTIMATELY YOURS SERIES SPONSORS:
HILARITY WHOSE LIVE ANYWAY?
Fri., October 8 8pm Historic Theater
All the fun of the TV show but live in the Historic Theater and completely improvised, based on your suggestions!
EVENING SPONSORS:
Beswick Engineering; Carpe Diem Coffee Roasting Company; Leddy Group
INTIMATELY YOURS SCOTT BRADLEE’S POSTMODERN JUKEBOX
Sun., October 10 • 7pm • Historic Theater
Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox is bringing the Roaring ‘20s to the 2020s! This unique musical experience will have an ever-evolving, revolving collective of performers playing popular music in period styles.
EVENING SPONSORS: Leone, McDonnell and Roberts, PA; UNH Conferences & Catering
ON STAGE
INTIMATELY YOURS SERIES SPONSORS:
INTIMATELY YOURS CHRIS THILE
Mon., October 11
• 7:30pm • Historic Theater
MacArthur Fellow and Grammy Award-winning mandolinist, singer-songwriter, and Punch Brothers founding member, Chris Thile is a “genre-defying musical genius” (NPR).
INTIMATELY YOURS JOSH TURNER
Fri., October 22
• 8pm • Historic Theater
With his rich, deep voice and distinctive style, Nashville recording artist Josh Turner is one of country music’s most recognizable hit-makers.
EVENING SPONSORS: Daystar, Inc; TMS Architects
ON STAGE
INTIMATELY YOURS SERIES SPONSORS:
INTIMATELY YOURS THE MAVERICKS
Tue., October 26 • 7:30pm & Wed., October 27 • 7:30pm • Historic Theater
Celebrated as one the most exciting and joyfully entertaining acts in all of music, The Mavericks are true originals.
EVENING SPONSORS:
RENTAL PARTNER/RESIDENT ORCHESTRA PORTS. SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA FALL CONCERT
Sun., October 24 • 3pm • Historic Theater
The full Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra returns for the Mainstage Season Opening Celebration.
EVENING SPONSORS: Eastern Bank; Mad*Pow; Petersen Engineering Harbor Advisory Corporation
INTIMATELY YOURS ELVIS COSTELLO & THE IMPOSTERS (SOLD OUT) Fri., October 29 • 8pm • Historic Theater
ON STAGE
HILARITY SERIES
SPONSORS:
OCTOBER/MID-NOVEMBER
INTIMATELY YOURS
SERIES SPONSORS:
HILARITY JUSTIN WILLMAN
Thu., November 4 • 7:30pm • Historic Theater
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.
EVENING SPONSORS:
BANKW Staffing; Digital Prospectors
INTIMATELY YOURS LETTUCE
Sun., November 7 8pm Historic Theater
Hailed as one of the greatest modern funk bands, Grammy Award-nominated Lettuce combines funk with hip-hop, rock, psychedelia, jazz, soul, and go-go.
EVENING SPONSOR: oHive
HILARITY BRIAN REGAN
Wed., November 10 • 8pm & Thu., November 11 • 8pm • Historic Theater
Brian Regan is one of the best comedians performing today. His comedy, big enough for everyone, sharp enough for you, and keeps audiences coming back time and again.
EVENING SPONSOR: Eastern Bank
ON STAGE
INTIMATELY YOURS SERIES SPONSORS:
INTIMATELY YOURS ABSENCE: TERENCE BLANCHARD FT. THE E-COLLECTIVE & TURTLE ISLAND QUARTET
Sat., November 13 8pm Historic Theater & Livestream
Terence Blanchard celebrates the life and legacy of mentor, Wayne Shorter, with breathtaking strings alongside young musical pioneers, The E-Collective and Turtle Island Quartet.
CINEMA
EXHIBITION ON SCREEN SERIES SPONSORS: Sheehan Phinney
EXTRAORDINARY CINEMA THE NOWHERE INN
Sat., October 9 • 7pm • Historic Theater
SMALL ENGINE REPAIR
Thu., October 14 • 7pm • Historic Theater ON BROADWAY
Fri., October 15 • 7pm • Historic Theater
FALLING FOR FIGARO
Sat., October 16 • 7pm • Historic Theater
HALLOWEEN (1978)
Thu., October 21 7pm Historic Theater
EXHIBITION ON SCREEN
RAPHAEL
Sat., October 16 • 3pm • Historic Theater
MET AT THE MUSIC HALL SERIES SPONSORS: RiverWoods Exeter
MEDIA PARTNERS:
MET AT THE MUSIC HALL BORIS GODUNOV (MUSSORGSKY)
Sat., October 9 • 12:55pm • Historic Theater
A tortured tsar is caught between grasping ambition and crippling paranoia in Mussorgsky’s masterwork.
OCTOBER
MET AT THE MUSIC HALL FIRE SHUT UP IN MY BONES (BLANCHARD)
Sun., October 31 • 12:55pm • Historic Theater
Terence Blanchard’s adaptation presents a poignant and profound story for the Met stage.
OPERA CONNECTION SEASON PREVIEW
Sat., October 2 • 2pm • Historic Theater
Opera aficionado/writer-producer Dennis Neil Kleinman leads lively discussions of select opera broadcasts. For full schedule of Opera Connection events, see pg 3.
Photo Credit: David J. Murray/ ClearEyePhoto.com
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT
A Joyful Gift
Bringing our collaboration with the Ogunquit Playhouse back to the Historic Theater this winter means a revival of a beloved family tradition, but also a favorite venture: our Give the Gift of Magic campaign, inspired by Morgan and Tara Rutman. We invite you to contribute to this fund to provide tickets to this year’s production of Irving Berlin's White Christmas to families in need. Recipients will be identified by our partners, Arts in Reach, Big Brothers Big Sisters of NH, Crossroads House, Greater Seacoast Community Health, HAVEN, and Veterans Count. Two generous sponsors have stepped up to seed the fund this year: BankProv and Hampton Ford Hyundai have lent their support to ensure that we are able to entertain even greater numbers of our neighbors, regardless of their financial means.
UPCOMING MEMBER EVENTS
BOOK CLUB: THREE JUNES BY JULIA GLASS Mon., 10/4 • 6pm Portwalk Place, Portsmouth
DIRECTOR'S CLUB: JIMMY'S ON CONGRESS Tue., 10/5 • 5:30pm 135 Congress St., Portsmouth
BankProv CEO Dave Mansfield noted, “It’s an honor and a pleasure to support the Give the Gift of Magic campaign. The Music Hall is a pillar of Portsmouth’s vibrant arts community and the attention they pay to create an exceptional experience for their patrons cannot be understated. No doubt this year’s performance will be spectacular, and I’m happy BankProv can do its part to help create special memories for Seacoast families.”
GIVE THE GIFT
SPONSORS:
BOOK CLUB: EMPIRE OF PAIN BY PATRICK RADDEN KEEFE Mon., 11/8 • 6pm Portwalk Place, Portsmouth
For more info, contact Wesley Lovell at 603.766.2182 or WLovell@themusichall.org
AT A GLANCE
OCTOBER 2021
Opera Connection Season Preview
Saturday, October 2 • 2pm
Hilarity
Whose Live Anyway?
Friday, October 8 • 8pm
The Met at The Music Hall
Boris Godunov (Mussorgsky)
Saturday, October 9 • 12:55pm
Intimately Yours
Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox
Sunday, October 10 • 7pm
Intimately Yours
Chris Thile
Monday, October 11 • 7:30pm
Intimately Yours
Josh Turner
Friday, October 22 • 8pm
Rental Partner
Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra Fall Concert
Sunday, October 24 • 3pm
Intimately Yours
The Mavericks
Tuesday, October 26 • 7:30pm & Wednesday, October 27 • 7:30pm
Intimately Yours
Elvis Costello & The Imposters [SOLD OUT]
Friday, October 29 • 8pm
The Met at The Music Hall
Fire Shut Up in My Bones (Blanchard)
Sunday, October 31 • 12:55pm
LEGEND: At the Historic Theater | Offsite/Online
NOVEMBER 2021
Hilarity
Justin Willman
Thursday, November 4 • 7:30pm
Rental Partner
Big Brothers Big Sisters NH presents Let's Go Crazy for the 80s
Saturday, November 6 • 7pm
Intimately Yours Lettuce
Sunday, November 7 • 8pm
Hilarity
Brian Regan
Wednesday, November 10 • 8pm & Thursday, November 11 • 8pm
Rental Partner
The Wailin' Jennys
Friday, November 12 • 7:30pm
Intimately Yours Absence: Terence Blanchard
Saturday, November 13 • 8pm
Rental Partner
Warren Miller's Winter Starts Now Thursday, November 18Saturday, November 20 • various times
DECEMBER 2021
The Ogunquit Playhouse at The Music Hall presents Irving Berlin's White Christmas Wed., December 1 - Sun., December 19
DECEMBER 2021
Hilarity
Juston McKinney: A Year in Review
Sunday, December 26 • 6pm; Monday, December 27 • 6pm; Tuesday, December 28 • 7pm
The Music Hall Presents New Year's Eve Champagne Pops
Friday, December 31 • 8pm
JANUARY 2022
The Met at The Music Hall
Eurydice (Aucoin)
Saturday, January 8 • 12:55pm
The Met at The Music Hall
Cinderella (Massenet)
Saturday, January 15 • 12:55pm
Intimately Yours Keb' Mo'
Friday, January 28 • 8pm
The Met at The Music Hall
Rigoletto (Verdi)
Saturday, January 29 • 12:55pm
FEBRUARY 2022
School Days Series
Warriors Don't Cry Monday, February 7 • 9:30am & 11:30am
Intimately Yours
Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy
Sunday, February 27 • 4pm
