Intimately Yours BONNY LIGHT HORSEMAN*
Anaïs Mitchell, Eric D. Johnson, & Josh Kaufman 6/9
Hilarity PIFF THE MAGIC DRAGON & PUDDLES PITY PARTY 5/17
*ON THE COVER
SEASON SPONSORS
Outdoor Programming Returns! LIVE UNDER THE ARCH STARTING 5/29 - SEE PG 9 PLUS! JUST ANNOUNCED SHOWS IN THE LOUNGE OPENING IN JULY
Be the first to know – sign up for enews at TheMusicHall.org
LIVE UNDER THE ARCH RETURNS! SEE SHOWS ON PG 9
Our outdoor concert series is set under the Chestnut Street Arch and brings the best in local and regional talent to you!
Photo Credit: Monte Bohanan
HILARITY EDDIE B.
Sat., October 22 • 8pm • Historic Theater
The teacher-turned-comic is known for his raw and hysterically realistic portrayal of a teacher’s hectic life.
WRITERS ON A NEW ENGLAND STAGE HUMA ABEDIN
Tue., September 27 • 7pm • Historic Theater
The extraordinary bestselling memoir from Hillary Clinton’s famously private top aide and longtime advisor.
INTIMATELY YOURS JANIS IAN: CELEBRATING OUR YEARS TOGETHER WITH SPECIAL GUEST TOM RUSH
Thu., October 27 • 7:30pm • Historic Theater
The multi-Grammy Award-winning artist, songwriter, and musician celebrates a lifetime in music.
RENTAL PARTNER RELEVÉ
THE OGUNQUIT PLAYHOUSE AT THE MUSIC HALL PRESENTS ELF THE MUSICAL
November 30 - December 18 • On Sale to all!
Members can take an additional 10% off their tickets to the first week of the show. Promotion runs through July 31
• 10% off for Friend level (save up to $9.90/ticket)
• 20 % off for Advocate-Patron (save up to $19.80/ticket)
• 30 % off for Backer-Stakeholder (save up to $29.70/ticket)
PRESENTING HOLIDAY SPONSOR:
Sun., May 22 • 4pm • Historic Theater
Loosely based on the movie Mean Girls, dancers will tell the story of fitting in, the highs and lows of friendship, and learning to shine like the stars that they truly are.
Monte Bohanan
Mary Beth Johnson
Wesley Lovell
Tina Sawtelle
DESIGN
Sara Turner
Brittany Wason
The revitalized, nightclub-style space features high-quality programming, bar & small bites, and a great view from every seat! See musicians, comedians, and authors from around the corner or around the world. More shows are being announced soon!
COMEDY PAT MCGANN
Thu., July 7
6pm & 8:30pm
The Lounge
Pat McGann is quickly rising as one of the sharpest stand-ups in the comedy world as Sebastian Maniscalco’s opening act.
MUSIC SÉAN MCCANN
Wed., July 13 • 7pm
The Lounge
Founder of the iconic band Great Big Sea, Séan McCann presents his rollicking new album.
MUSIC PETER MULVEY & MARK ERELLI
Thu., July 28 • 7:30pm
The Lounge
Two singer-songwriter veterans bring decades on the road and Americana artistry together with no holds barred.
COMEDY ADAM RAY
LITERARY
TOM PERROTTA
Tue., July 12 • 7pm
The Lounge
Reese Witherspoon’s character from Election is back in the latest novel by the bestselling author!
MUSIC BITTER PILL
Fri., July 22 • 8pm
The Lounge
Bitter Pill’s “rhythm and bluegrass” music is a dark and anachronistic twist of folk, blues, jazz, rockabilly, and country.
MUSIC TAKÉNOBU
Sat., July 30 • 8pm
The Lounge
The multi-layered string duo known for dreamy and dramatic instrumental pieces.
Sun., August 7 • 8pm • The Lounge
You know him from shows Curb Your Enthusiasm and Arrested Development; films The Heat and Ghostbusters; and his About Last Night podcast.
TINA SAWTELLE, Executive Director
Wow, do we have a lot going on! The beginning of July marks the launch of our fully renovated, smaller venue on Congress Street—now known as The Music Hall Lounge!
You may have heard, the new Lounge is a flexible space with an expanded bar where you can take in a show without missing a beat. The feel is industrial chic. Every seat has a direct sightline to the stage, even the high-top community table under the gorgeous globe lighting or the six plush swivel chairs by the fireplace. Enjoy table service, a full bar and small bites, and a more social experience for all.
The front of the building will get a little love, too: fresh paint, lighting, signage, but also the ability to look through those big windows to see who’s playing on any given night. We will continue to deliver great music, comedy, literary events, and plenty of inspiring conversations. The space will also include improved audio/visual technology and be available for private rentals. To be the first to hear about new shows, sign up for our enews and follow the Lounge on Facebook (/MusicHallLounge) and Instagram (@MusicHallLounge).
Just as we hit go on opening the Lounge, we hit pause on the Historic Theater after our annual Fill the Hall Food Drive for a much needed refresh to the artist hospitality space and dressing rooms. This work, originally intended for 2020 and put on hold due to the pandemic, will be completed in time for our sold out September shows!
See you soon at The Music Hall Lounge for a craft cocktail and an exciting lineup this summer!
As we approach the beginning of summer, we’re already looking towards the future. Before you know it, it will be time for Telluride by the Sea, Elf The Musical, and a packed calendar of concerts, comedians, and authors that help keep Portsmouth buzzing all year round. We’re making big plans for our future, but we’re always aware that our members make it all possible. And this May Membership Month, we’re looking to expand our Music Hall family!
Our members experience the best parts of The Music Hall. From early ticket purchasing to our Book Club, from ticket discounts to invites to exclusive events around the Seacoast, our members receive a variety of benefits for their support.
If you join, upgrade, or renew your membership in May, you’ll be entered into drawings to enjoy the best and newest parts of The Music Hall, including tickets to the opening night of our new Music Hall Lounge. Keep an eye on our website and social media for more details.
To join, you can fill out the envelope included in this magazine and mail it back to us, or you can visit us online at TheMusicHall.org/ Membership. If you have questions about membership, please call the B2W Box Office at 603.436.2400 and our Ticket and Member Services team will be happy to help. Tax-deductible annual memberships start at $50 for your entire household and support world-class performers in our community. Join today, and experience The Music Hall all year long.
HILARITY SERIES
SPONSORS:
HILARITY PIFF THE MAGIC DRAGON AND PUDDLES PITY
Tuesday, May 17 • 7pm • Historic Theater
Piff the Magic Dragon has won several Best of Las Vegas awards for his long-running show at The Flamingo. He was a viral sensation on Penn & Teller: Fool Us and voted one of Variety’s Top 10 Comics to Watch. In 2020, Piff was crowned winner of TBS’ Tournament of Laughs
Puddles Pity Party, the sad, giant clown with the golden voice, has amassed over 813K YouTube subscribers and performed sold out shows all over including The Kennedy Center in D.C., San Francisco’s Palace of Fine Arts, London’s Soho Theatre and a Las Vegas residency at Caesar’s Palace.
EVENING SPONSOR: Prime Buchholz LLC
INTIMATELY YOURS
SERIES SPONSORS:
INTIMATELY YOURS BONNY LIGHT HORSEMAN
Thu., June 9 • 7:30pm • Historic Theater
The timeless qualities of traditional tunes can carry us across oceans and eons, linking us not only to the past but to each other as well. It was under the banner of those eternal connections that the trio of Bonny Light Horseman came together.
EVENING SPONSORS: Petersen Engineering; UNH Conferences & Catering
ON THE RECORD - JAMES PAONE, PROGRAMMING MANAGER
"Folk revival in its purest form. This supergroup of indie-folk veterans, including Anaïs Mitchell, creates music that appeals as much to listeners of Joni Mitchell, Cat Stevens, and Nick Drake as it does to fans of Fleet Foxes and The Decemberists. This bold take on an ancient art is refreshing, to say the least, with intricate arrangements and stellar musicianship."
THE MUSIC HALL PRESENTS
MEDIA PARTNER:
INTERCONNECTIONS
PRESENTING SPONSOR:
THE MUSIC HALL PRESENTS LET IT SHINE: THE HOWARD GOSPEL CHOIR
Sat., June 18 • 4pm • Historic Theater
The Howard Gospel Choir has pioneered an international legacy in gospel music ministry, having shared the stage with musical luminaries Tony Bennett, Stevie Wonder, and Patti LaBelle for presidents and public figures alike. This event is presented in partnership with the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire
COMMUNITY PARTNER
TEDxPORTSMOUTH: HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT (SOLD OUT)
Fri., May 20 • 8am • Historic Theater
One of the biggest TEDx events in the country, TEDxPortsmouth is an immersive full-day event showcasing a diverse lineup of inspiring speakers, rousing artistic performances, local food and more.
RESIDENT ORCHESTRA/COMMUNITY PARTNER
PORTSMOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA SPRING CONCERT
Sun., June 5 3pm Historic Theater
Join the PSO for a colorful and vibrant Spring Mainstage Concert with a wide range of performances.
INTERCONNECTIONS
PRESENTING SPONSOR:
FILL THE HALL 2022
Sun., June 26 • 9am - 3pm
• Historic Theater
Join us as we challenge the community to fill every seat in the Historic Theater with bags of food for Gather and their Meals 4 Kids program during the annual Fill the Hall Food Drive.
Since 2015, Fill the Hall has benefited Gather's Meals 4 Kids program, helping to fill the gap when subsidized school meals are not available. They provide 10 meals a week for over 700 children on the Seacoast for the 11 weeks of summer. It takes more than 60 tons of food to do this. We want to get it donated in one day and we need your help.
• Canned Meat
� Tuna
� Chicken
• Canned Beans
• Squeeze Jelly (low sugar)
• Peanut Butter (16-18oz)
• Snacks
� Granola Bars
� Peanut Butter Crackers
� Fruit Snacks
• Condiments
� Mayo
� Mustard
� Ketchup
• Pancake Mix
• Oatmeal & Cereal
• Personal Care
� Shampoo
� Oral Care
� Bar Soap
� Dish Soap
• Toilet Paper
• Juice Boxes (100% Juice)
• Canned Corn, Carrots, or Potatoes
• Pasta & Sauce
• Gluten-Free items
• Shelf Stable Milk & Milk Alternatives
Or make a donation so Gather can purchase fresh veggies, fruit, milk, eggs, and other perishable items: tinyurl.com/FTHGather2022
This outdoor concert series set under the Chestnut Street Arch brings the best in local and regional talent to you! The open air performances feature cabaret-style seating and delicious drinks and small bites.
LIVE UNDER THE ARCH PRESENTING SPONSOR:
LIVE UNDER THE ARCH COLD ENGINES
Fri., June 3 8pm Chestnut Street
The retro-wave, power pop, and melody-driven rock project has been taking the industry by storm, winning multiple awards in the Northeast.
LIVE UNDER THE ARCH ERICK BAKER WITH SPECIAL GUEST LYDIA LUCE
Sat., July 2 • 6pm & 8pm • Chestnut Street
Erick Baker has toured alongside artists like John Legend, Brandi Carlile, and the Goo Goo Dolls, performing with passion and unguarded emotional energy. Virtuoso Lydia Luce joins for a spellbinding show.
LIVE UNDER THE ARCH ALEX CUBA Sun., May 29 • 6pm & 8pm • Chestnut Street
Grammy Award-winning Alex Cuba is a singersongwriter who is not tied to tradition and has a vast musical vision.
LIVE UNDER THE ARCH HEATHER MALONEY
Fri., June 10 • 8pm • Chestnut Street
The Massachusetts-based “writer song-singer” has toured nationally as a headliner as well as support for acts like Lake Street Dive and Shakey Graves with her tremulous folk and assertive rock sound.
LIVE UNDER THE ARCH LIZ FRAME & THE KICKERS
Fri., July 15 • 7:30pm • Chestnut Street
With a voice like Patsy Cline and songwriting style in the vein of Dolly Parton and Lucinda Williams, Liz Frame delivers honest, unbridled Americana with serious soul.
MET AT THE MUSIC HALL SERIES SPONSOR: RiverWoods Exeter
Schedule subject to change. Check TheMusicHall.org for updates.
DON'T MISS! ABBA: THE MOVIE – FAN EVENT Thu., May 12 7pm & Sat., May 14 3pm Historic Theater
Thu., May 19 • 7pm • Historic Theater
Experience the epic Scaled And Icy album release celebration from 2021 – remastered for the big screen and featuring additional never-beforeseen content.
THE MET AT THE MUSIC HALL LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR (DONIZETTI)
Sat., May 21 • 12:55pm • Historic Theater
In this electrifying new staging, soprano Nadine Sierra takes on one of the repertory’s most formidable and storied roles, the haunted heroine of Lucia di Lammermoor.
Thu., May 26 • 7pm • Historic Theater
Starring Academy Award winner Tilda Swinton, the bewildering drama about a Scottish woman who begins experiencing a mysterious sensory syndrome in Colombia.
AND THE BLACK HOLE
Sat., May 28 • 3pm • Historic Theater
A teenage delinquent (Miya Cech) befriends a surly magician (Rhea Perlman) who helps her navigate her inner demons and dysfunctional family with sleight of hand magic.
Wed., May 25 • 7pm • Historic Theater
Starring Academy Award nominee for Best Actress, Penelope Cruz, the story of two mothers who bond in an unexpected way after giving birth the same day. Directed by Pedro Almodóvar.
Fri., May 27 • 7pm • Historic Theater
A gripping and masterful thriller in which an expert tailor (Academy Award winner Mark Rylance) must outwit a dangerous group of mobsters in order to survive a fateful night.
THE RACE TO ALASKA
Sat., May 28 7pm Historic Theater
No motor, no support, all the way to Alaska. The physical endurance, saltwater know-how, and bulldog tenacity to navigate the 750 cold water miles from Port Townsend, Washington to Ketchikan, Alaska.
MET AT THE MUSIC HALL SERIES SPONSOR: RiverWoods Exeter
HD BROADCAST KINKY BOOTS
Wed., June 1 • 7pm • Historic Theater
This award-winning musical celebrates a joyous story of Brit grit to high-heeled hit, as it takes you from the factory floor of Northampton to the glamorous catwalks of Milan!
HELLO, BOOKSTORE
Sat., June 4 • 4pm • Historic Theater
This intimate portrait of The Bookstore and the family at its heart offers a journey through good times, hard times, and the stories hidden on the shelves.
PRINCE - SIGN ‘O’ THE TIMES
Wed., June 15 • 7pm • Historic Theater
Music legend Prince and his band perform 13 numbers, most of them from his double album, Sign ‘o' the Times. New, 4K remastered version.
Schedule subject to change. Check TheMusicHall.org for updates.
NATIONAL THEATRE OF LONDON HD BROADCAST HENRY V Thu., June 2 • 7pm • Historic Theater
Captured live from the Donmar Warehouse in London, Kit Harington (Game of Thrones) plays the title role in Shakespeare’s thrilling study of nationalism, war, and the psychology of power.
EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE Sat., June 4 • 7pm • Historic Theater
A hilarious and big-hearted sci-fi action adventure about an exhausted woman who can't seem to finish her taxes.
THE MET AT THE MUSIC HALL HAMLET (DEAN) Fri., June 17 12:55pm Historic Theater
This riveting contemporary masterpiece comes to the Met stage with Neil Armfield in a production that garnered praise “new opera doesn’t often get to sound this good” (The Guardian).
Through the generosity of these Corporate Partners, The Music Hall is able to provide a diverse line-up of high-quality programming and contribute to the vitality of our community.
Atlantic Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine
Avery Insurance* Bangor Savings Bank
AARP New Hampshire
Baker Newman Noyes
BANKW Staffing*
Beswick Engineering**
Cambridge Trust
Creative Office Resources
BankProv** Carpe Diem Coffee Roasting Co.** DF Richard Energy**
Digital Prospectors** The District
Donahue, Tucker & Ciandella, PLLC** The Friendly Toast Great Rhythm Brewing
Harbor Advisory Corporation*
Harbour Women’s Health**
Impax Asset Management
Eastern Bank Leone, McDonnell & Roberts, P.A.** Mad*Pow**
Jackson Lewis P.C.
Jumpin' Jay's Fish Café The Kane Company
Northeast Delta Dental** Northern Benefits
oHive**
Piscataqua Savings Bank**
Newburyport Bank* PARMA Recordings Petersen Engineering* RiverWoods Exeter The Tosi Family UNH Conferences & Catering
Popzup Popcorn Prime Buchholz & Associates, Inc.** Primmer Piper Eggleston & Cramer PC
Sheehan Phinney
Silver Lining Painting
Smuttynose Brewing The Portsmouth Brewery**
We like to monitor trends at The Music Hall and appreciate the growing interest in doing good in our community. Many of our sponsors have become certified B-Corporations (considering their social and environmental impact), pledged to direct a portion of their profits to community organizations, or created giving programs involving employees in directing this support. Market Square Architects is one example of a firm with a mission; they’ve pledged to give 10% of year-end profits to nonprofits and The Music Hall is thrilled to be a recipient.
DIRECTOR'S CLUB
THE PUDDLE DOCK RESTAURANT Thu., 5/26 • 5pm
66 Marcy St., Portsmouth
BOOK CLUB
Portwalk Place, Portsmouth
THE LINCOLN HIGHWAY by Amor Towles Mon., 6/13 • 6pm
We first met Market Square Architects when they reallocated funds normally used for holiday gift baskets (rather than sending treats to offices empty in the pandemic) to join our sponsorship program. That was amazing, but it got even better when they offered to donate their services for our Lounge renovation. Donations like theirs stretched our dollars to make the project possible. As a local Portsmouth design firm, Market Square Architects has been an incredible asset to work with on our project, collaborating with The Music Hall team on how best to achieve our goals while helping explain options along the way. We offer our thanks to Market Square Architects, Brown & Company, and all of our sponsors who are making a difference on the Seacoast.
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.
For more info, contact Wesley Lovell at WLovell@themusichall.org
DIRECTOR'S CLUB SPONSOR: Newburyport Bank
BOOK CLUB SPONSOR: Sheehan Phinney
Schedule subject to change. Check TheMusicHall.org for updates.
LEGEND: At The Historic Theater | At The Lounge | Offsite/Online
Cinema
Abba: The Movie - Fan Event
Thursday, May 12 • 7pm & Saturday, May 14 • 3pm
Hilarity
Piff the Magic Dragon and Puddles Pity Party
Tuesday, May 17 • 7pm
Cinema
Twenty One Pilots Cinema Experience
Thursday, May 19 • 7pm
Rental Partner
TEDxPortsmouth: Hidden in Plain Sight (Sold Out)
Friday, May 20 • 8am
Met at The Music Hall
Lucia di Lammermoor (Donizetti)
Saturday, May 21 • 12:55pm
Rental Partner
Relevé Dance Academy presents Queen Bees & Mathletes
Sunday, May 22 • 4pm
Cinema
Parallel Mothers
Wednesday, May 25 • 7pm
Cinema Memoria
Thursday, May 26 • 7pm
Cinema The Outfit
Friday, May 27 • 7pm
Cinema
Marvelous and The Black Hole
Saturday, May 28 • 3pm
Cinema
The Race to Alaska
Saturday, May 28 • 7pm
Live Under the Arch
Alex Cuba
Sunday, May 29 • 6pm & 8pm
Cinema
Kinky Boots - HD Broadcast
Wednesday, June 1 • 7pm
National Theater of London HD Broadcast
Henry V
Thursday, June 2 • 7pm
Live Under the Arch Cold Engines
Friday, June 3 • 8pm
Cinema Hello, Bookstore
Saturday, June 4 • 4pm
Cinema Everything Everywhere All At Once Saturday, June 4 • 7pm
Rental Partner
Ports. Symphony Orchestra Spring Concert Sunday, June 5 • 3pm
Intimately Yours Bonny Light Horseman Thursday, June 9 • 7:30pm
Live Under the Arch Heather Maloney Friday, June 10 • 8pm
Cinema
Prince - Sign 'o' the Times Wednesday, June 15 • 7pm
Met at The Music Hall Hamlet (Dean) Friday, June 17 • 12:55pm
The Music Hall Presents Let It Shine: Howard Gospel Choir Saturday, June 18 • 4pm
Fill The Hall Sunday, June 26 • 9am-3pm
Live Under the Arch
Erick Baker with special guest Lydia Luce
Saturday, July 2 • 6pm & 8pm
Comedy
Pat McGann
Thursday, July 7 • 6pm & 8:30pm
Literary
Tom Perrotta
Tuesday, July 12 • 7pm
Music
Sean McCann
Wednesday, July 13 • 7pm
Live Under the Arch
Liz Frame & the Kickers
Friday, July 15 • 7:30pm
Music
Bitter Pill Friday, July 22 • 8pm
Music
Peter Mulvey & Mark Erelli
Thursday, July 28 • 7:30pm
Music
Takénobu
Saturday, July 30 • 8pm
Comedy Adam Ray Sunday, August 7 • 8pm
Intimately Yours They Might Be Giants Thursday, September 1 • 8pm
Writers on a New England Stage Huma Abedin
Tuesday, September 27 • 7pm
Hilarity Paula Poundstone Saturday, October 1 • 8pm
Intimately Yours Colbie Caillat
Wednesday, October 19 • 7:30pm
Hilarity
Eddie B Saturday, October 22 • 8pm
Intimately Yours
Janis Ian: Celebrating Our Years Together Thursday, October 27 • 7:30pm
The Ogunquit Playhouse at The Music Hall presents Elf the Musical
Wednesday, November 30Sunday, December 18
Intimately Yours
Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy Sunday, February 26 • 4pm MORE SHOWS ARE ON THEIR WAY!
BE THE FIRST TO KNOW ABOUT: Just Announced Shows Lounge Updates & Shows Indoor & Outdoor Programming
