The latest from NH’s theater, arts and literary communities
• Mural project for Manchester: The deadline is 9 p.m. Monday, July 25, to donate to Arts Build Community’s fundraiser to bring a mural festival to Manchester in August. The Community Canvas festival is meant to “amplify community voices rather than the individual,” according to the fundraiser page at patronicity.com. Arts Build Community is a New Hampshire-based group of artists, residents, businesses and others, and for the mural project. the artists “will engage, research, and reflect while actively listening to community members, integrating their stories into each mural,” the fundraiser page said. Find out more and donate at patronicity.com/abc2022.
• Musical in the mall: The Hatbox Theatre (Steeplegate Mall, 270 Loudon Road, Concord) presents Gutenberg! The Musical! on Friday, July 22, and Saturday, July 23, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, July 24, at 2 p.m. This musical comedy follows Johannes Gutenberg as he struggles to invent the printing press, hindered by his nemesis, The Monk, and his bumbling assistant Helvetica. Nominated for Best Musical by the Outer Critics Circle Awards, and Best Book by the Drama Desk awards, the show is only playing for one weekend. Tickets are $22, $19 for students, seniors, and Hatbox members, and $16 for senior members. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit hatboxnh.com.
• Undefined art: The Lamont Gallery at Phillips Exeter Academy (11 Tan Lane, Exeter) hosts “Managing Miscellanea,” an art exhibition that draws from the gallery’s “undefined” collection. It centers around questions of defining and maintaining collections, and showcases unseen works from the storage vault, including works by Roy Lichtenstein and Robert Motherwell. The exhibition runs through Sept. 24, available for viewing during the gallery’s normal hours: Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free but reservations are required. For more information, visit www.exeter.edu/lamontgallery.
Buster Keaton screens with live music
The Rex Theatre (23 Amherst St., Manchester) will present a screening of the 1926 silent film The General on Wednesday, July 20, at 7 p.m. The General follows Buster Keaton as a locomotive engineer whose train is hijacked by Northern spies during the U.S. Civil War. The film screening will be accompanied by a live musical performance led by Jeff Rapsis. Admission is $10 per person. For more information, visit palacetheatre.org or call 668-5588.
• Phil in the fall: The New Hampshire Philharmonic Orchestra has announced its plans for its 118th year of performances, according to a recent press release. Five shows (each of which has two performances) are on the calendar for the 2022-2023 season, starting with shows on Oct. 16 at 2 p.m. and Oct. 22 at 7:30 p.m. Most shows are at The Phil’s home performing space, the Seifert Performing Arts Center (44 Geremonty Drive, Salem), the release said. See nhphil.org for ticket information, including season tickets.
• Author visit and birthday hike: Mary Ellen Humphrey, author of My Mountain Friend: Wandering & Pondering Mount Major, is coming to New Hampshire to hike Mt. Major for her 70th birthday and to stop at Gibson’s Bookstore (45 S. Main St., Concord; 224-0562, gibsonsbookstore.com) on Thursday, July 28, at 6:30 p.m., according to a press release.
• More authors, more books: Also appearing in person at Gibson’s are mystery writers Paula Munier (the author of the Mercy Carr mystery series, the most recent of which is The Wedding Plot, which hit shelves on July 19) and Sarah Stewart Taylor (author of the Maggie D’Arcy mystery series, the most recent of which is The Drowning Sea, which hit shelves in June). Catch them on Thursday, July 21, at 6:30 p.m. See the store’s website to order books.
Sergei Novikov on piano
Sergei Novikov, who once won praise from former President George H. W. Bush, will perform Friday, July 22, at 7 p.m. at the Seifert Performing Arts Center (44 Geremonty Drive, Salem). Tickets cost $45 for adults, $40 for seniors and children and are available at speakingmusic.com. Find out more about Novikov’s career path, which took him from Russia to Kennebunkport and beyond, in the story on page 15 of the June 30 issue of the Hippo. Find the e-edition of the paper at hippopress.com.
• Authors inspiring authors: Authors Kelsey Gallant and Kate Spofford, both from the Nashua area, will be at the Toadstool Bookshop (375 Amherst St., Nashua; toadbooks.com, 673-1734) on Sunday, July 24, at 1 p.m. to discuss their journeys in self-publishing, according to the Toadstool website. The event is geared toward people who are also looking to have their manuscripts published, the website said.
• An author, artist and naturalist: The Warner Historical Society’s Tory Hill Author Series will present artist-naturalist and writer David Carroll on Saturday, July 23, at 7 p.m. at the Warner Town Hall, according to a press release. Carroll, who won the MacArthur Foundation Fellowship (the Genius Grant) in 2006, has written and illustrated the natural histories The Year of the Turtle, Trout Reflections and Swampwalkers Journal as well as a memoir called Self-Portrait with Turtles and a fifth book called Following the Warner, A hydromancer’s Notebook, the release said. His natural history drawings and watercolors have been on exhibit at the Currier Museum of Art, according to the release. Tickets cost $10 each (or three for $24) and can be purchased at toryhillauthorsseries.com or at the door (and via the Warner Historical Society and MainStreet BookEnds), the release said. A dessert and a book signing will follow the readings.
– Hannah Turtle
ART
Exhibits
• “WARHOL SCREEN TESTS” In the mid-1960s, American multimedia artist Andy Warhol had shot more than 400 short, silent, black-and-white films of his friends at his studio in New York City. Warhol referred to the films, which were unscripted and played in slow motion, as “film portraits” or “stillies.” The exhibition will feature 20 of those films, provided by the Andy Warhol Museum, in loops across four large-scale projections. The Currier Museum of Art (150 Ash St., Manchester). On display now through July 24. Museum admission costs $15 for adults, $13 for seniors age 65 and up, $10 for students, $5 for youth ages 13 through 17 and is free for children age 12 and under and museum members. Current museum hours are Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Monday through Wednesday. Call 669-6144 or visit currier.org for more information.
• “ARGHAVAN KHOSRAVI” Artist’s surrealist paintings explore themes of exile, freedom and empowerment; center female protagonists; and allude to human rights issues, particularly those affecting women and immigrants. The Currier Museum of Art (150 Ash St., Manchester). On display now through Sept. 5. Museum admission costs $15 for adults, $13 for seniors age 65 and up, $10 for students, $5 for youth ages 13 through 17 and is free for children age 12 and under and museum members. Current museum hours are Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Monday through Wednesday. Call 669-6144 or visit currier.org for more information.
• “THE PEOPLE’S SCULPTOR: THE LIFE AND WORKS OF JOHN ROGERS” Exhibit celebrates the art of American sculptor John Rogers, who came to Manchester in 1850, and explores the influence that Manchester had on Rogers’ life and work. Presented by the Manchester Historic Association. On view now through September. Millyard Museum (200 Bedford St., Manchester). Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission costs $8 for adults, $6 for seniors age 62 and up and college students, $4 for youth ages 12 through 18, and is free for kids under age 12. Call 622-7531 or visit manchesterhistoric.org/millyard-museum.
• “WOOL: CONTEMPORARY FIBER ART EXHIBITION Twiggs Gallery (254 King St., Boscawen) through Sept. 2. Gallery hours are Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Visit twiggsgallery.wordpress.com or call 975-0015.
• ROBIN CORNWELL The New Hampshire Boat Museum will feature local artist Robin Cornwell in the museum’s gallery (399 Center St. in Wolfeboro; nhbm.org) in July. Cornwell produces art quilts as well as bark paper paintings and woven placemats and rugs. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. To learn more about Cornwell, visit robincornwellembellishments.com.
• “PIXELS, WOOD, CLAY” Two Villages Art Society presents an exhibition of work by artists Tony Gilmore, Rick Manganello and Caren Helm. The Bates Building (846 Main St., Contoocook). Aug. 12 through Sept. 9. Gallery hours are Thursday through Sunday, from noon to 4 p.m. There will be an opening reception on Sat., Aug. 13, from noon to 2 p.m. Visit twovillagesart.org or call 413-210-4372.
• ART ON MAIN The City of Concord and the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce present a year-round outdoor public art exhibition in Concord’s downtown featuring works by professional sculptors. All sculptures will be for sale. Visit concordnhchamber.com/creativeconcord, call 224-2508 or email [email protected] for more information.
• SUMMER MEMBERS SHOW Two Villages Art Society presents a mixed media art show at the Bates Building (846 Main St., Contoocook) from July 1 through July 30.Visit twovillagesart.org or call 413-210-4372.
Fairs and markets
• CONCORD ARTS MARKET The juried outdoor artisan and fine art market runs one Saturday a month, June through October, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Market dates are July 30, Aug. 20, Sept. 17 and Oct. 15. Rollins Park, 33 Bow St., Concord. concordartsmarket.net. The first market will be held on Saturday, June 11. Visit concordartsmarket.net/summer-arts-market.html for more information.
• CRAFTSMEN’S FAIR The annual nine-day outdoor craft fair hosted by the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen features hundreds of craftspeople with vendor booths, plus special craft exhibitions, demonstrations, hands-on workshops and more. Sat., Aug. 6, through Sun., Aug. 14. Mount Sunapee Resort, 1398 Route 103, Newbury. Call 224-3375 or visit nhcrafts.org for more information.
• GREELEY PARK ART SHOW The annual outdoor juried art show hosted by Nashua Area Artists Association features a variety of artwork for sale. Greeley Park, 100 Concord St., Nashua. Sat., Aug. 20, and Sun., Aug. 21, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit nashuaarts.org/greeleyparkartshow.
Tours
• NASHUA PUBLIC ART AUDIO TOUR Self-guided audio tours of the sculptures and murals in downtown Nashua, offered via the Distrx app, which uses Bluetooth iBeacon technology to automatically display photos and text and provides audio descriptions at each stop on the tour as tourists approach the works of art. Each tour has 10 to 15 stops. Free and accessible on Android and iOS on demand. Available in English and Spanish. Visit downtownnashua.org/nashua-art-tour for more information.
Workshops and classes
• ART CLASSES Art classes for teens and adults, including Pottery, Stained Glass, Intermediate Watercolor and Clay Hand Building. Studio 550 Art Center (550 Elm St., Manchester). Five-week sessions. Classes met for two hours a week. Call 232-5597 or visit 550arts.com for the full schedule and cost details.
• DRAWING & PAINTING CLASSES Art House Studios, 66 Hanover St., Suite 202, Manchester. Classes include Drawing Fundamentals, Painting in Acrylic, Drawing: Observation to Abstraction, Exploring Mixed Media, and Figure Drawing. Class sizes are limited to six students. Visit arthousestudios.org or email [email protected] more information.
• GENERAL ART CLASSES Weekly art classes offered for both kids and adults of all skill levels and cover a variety of two-dimensional media, including drawing and painting with pastel, acrylic, watercolor and oils. Classes are held with small groups of three to eight to five students. Diane Crespo Fine Art Gallery (32 Hanover St., Manchester). Kids classes, open to ages 10 and up, are held on Thursdays and Fridays, from 4:15 to 5:45 p.m. Adult classes are held on Thursdays, from 6:30 to 8:15 p.m., and Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Tuition is pay-as-you-go at $20 per student per class, due upon arrival. Call 493-1677 or visit dianecrespofineart.com for availability.
THEATRE
Classes/workshops
• STORYTELLING WORKSHOPS Monthly workshop series hosted by True Tales Live storytelling showcase. First Tuesday (except November), from 7 to 8:30 p.m., virtual, via Zoom. Registration is required. Visit truetaleslivenh.org for more information.
Shows
• ANYTHING GOES The Seacoast Repertory Theatre (125 Bow St., Portsmouth; seacoastrep.org, 433-4472) presents the musical through July 23, with showtimes on Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $32 to $52.
• FOOTLOOSE Prescott Park Arts Festival (105 Marcy St., Portsmouth; prescottpark.org , 436-2848) presents this outdoor musical through Aug. 14, with showtimes on most Thursdays and Sundays at 7 p.m., and most Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., with some matinee showtimes TBA. General admission costs $5, and reserved seating tickets cost $55 to $150.
• RAPUNZEL presented by the 2022 Bank of New Hampshire Children’s Summer Seriesat the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester; palacetheatre.org, 668-5588) through Thursday, July 21, at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., and Friday, July 22, at 10 a.m. Tickets cost $10.
• MATILDA JR. musical presented by RB Productions Theater Company at the Capitol Center for the Arts Chubb Theatre (44 S. Main St. in Concord; ccanh.com) on Friday, July 22, and Saturday, July 23, at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $15 for adults, $12 for students and seniors (plus fees).
• GUTENBERG! THE MUSICAL produced by the Community Players of Concord at the Hatbox Theatre (inside the Steeplegate Mall, 270 Loudon Road, Concord; hatboxnh.com, 715-2315) Friday, July 22, and Saturday, July 23, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, July 24, at 2 p.m. TIckets cost $22 for adults, $19 for seniors and students.
• PETER PAN presented by the 2022 Bank of New Hampshire Children’s Summer Seriesat the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester; palacetheatre.org, 668-5588) Tuesday, July 26, through Thursday, July 28, at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., and Friday, July 29, at 10 a.m. Tickets cost $10.
• LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD presented by North Country Center for the Art’s IMPACT Program, a Touring Children’s Theatre Troupe, Tuesday, July 26, at 10 a.m. at the Bank of NH Stage (16 S. Main St. in Concord; ccanh.com). Tickets are free but must be reserved online.
• MARY POPPINS JR.presented by Palace Youth Theatre summer camp at the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester; palacetheatre.org, 668-5588) on Friday, July 29, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, July 30, at 11 a.m. Tickets cost $15 for adults and $12 for kids.
• LEGALLY BLONDE JR. musical presented by RB Productions Theater Company at the Capitol Center for the Arts Chubb Theatre (44 S. Main St. in Concord; ccanh.com) on Friday, July 29, and Saturday, July 30, at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $15 for adults, $12 for students and seniors (plus fees).
• CINDERELLA presented by the 2022 Bank of New Hampshire Children’s Summer Seriesat the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester; palacetheatre.org, 668-5588) Tuesday, Aug. 2, through Thursday, Aug. 4, at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., and Friday, Aug. 5, at 10 a.m. Tickets cost $10.
• RETURN TO OZ presented by North Country Center for the Art’s IMPACT Program, a Touring Children’s Theatre Troupe, Tuesday, Aug. 2, at 10 a.m. at the Bank of NH Stage (16 S. Main St. in Concord; ccanh.com). Tickets are free but must be reserved online.
• JACK AND THE BEANSTALKpresented by Palace Youth Theatre summer camp at the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester; palacetheatre.org, 668-5588) on Friday, Aug. 5, at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $15 for adults and $12 for kids.
• BEAUTY & THE BEAST presented by the 2022 Bank of New Hampshire Children’s Summer Seriesat the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester; palacetheatre.org, 668-5588) Tuesday, Aug. 9, through Thursday, Aug. 11, at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., and Friday, Aug. 12, at 10 a.m. Tickets cost $10.
• JACK AND THE BEANSTALK presented by North Country Center for the Art’s IMPACT Program, a Touring Children’s Theatre Troupe, Tuesday, Aug. 9, at 10 a.m. at the Bank of NH Stage (16 S. Main St. in Concord; ccanh.com). Tickets are free but must be reserved online.
• NUNSENSE, the musical that has been updated with new jokes, will be presented by the Majestic Theatre (880 Page St. in Manchester; majestictheatre.net, 669-7649) on Fridays, Aug. 12 and Aug. 19, at 7 p.m.; Saturdays, Aug. 13 and Aug. 20, at 7 p.m., and Sunday, Aug. 21, at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $15 to $20.
• SNOW WHITE & THE SEVEN DWARFS presented by the 2022 Bank of New Hampshire Children’s Summer Seriesat the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester; palacetheatre.org, 668-5588) Tuesday, Aug. 16, through Thursday, Aug. 18, at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., and Friday, Aug. 19, at 10 a.m. Tickets cost $10.
• LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL JR.presented by Palace Youth Theatre summer camp at the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester; palacetheatre.org, 668-5588) on Friday, Aug. 19, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Aug. 20, at 11 a.m. Tickets cost $15 for adults and $12 for kids.
•THE GREAT ATLANTIC AND PACIFIC SHAKESPEARE COMPANY presented by Granite Playwrights at the Hatbox Theatre (inside the Steeplegate Mall, 270 Loudon Road, Concord; hatboxnh.com, 715-2315) from Aug. 19 through Aug. 28, with showtimes on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $22 for adults, $19 for students, seniors and members and $16 for senior members.
• DISNEY’S FROZEN KIDS presented by the 2022 Bank of New Hampshire Children’s Summer Seriesat the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester; palacetheatre.org, 668-5588) Tuesday, Aug. 23, through Thursday, Aug. 25, at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., and Friday, Aug. 26, at 10 a.m. Tickets cost $10.
• LES MISERABLES presented by the Seacoast Repertory Theatre (125 Bow St., Portsmouth; seacoastrep.org, 433-4472) teen company from Aug. 25 through Sept. 4, with showtimes on Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $25 for students and $30 for adults.
• CRUEL INTENTIONS: THE ’90s MUSICAL presented by the Actorsingers at the Janice B. Streeter Theatre (14 Court St., Nashua; actorsingers.org) Friday, Aug. 26, at 8 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 27, at 8 p.m., and Sunday, Aug. 28, 2 p.m. TIckets cost $20 for adults, $18 for 62+ (plus fees).
• LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL JR.presented by Palace Youth Theatre summer camp at the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester; palacetheatre.org, 668-5588) on Friday, Aug. 26, at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $15 for adults and $12 for kids.
• SHREK THE MUSICAL presented by the Riverbend Youth Company at the Amato Center for the Performing Arts (56 Mont Vernon St., Milford; svbgc.org/amato-center) from Friday, Aug. 26, through Sunday, Aug. 28.
CLASSICAL
Events
• SERGEI NOVIKOV PIANO RECITAL The NH Philharmonic’s Summer Concert Series will host accomplished pianist Sergei Novikov on Friday July 22 at 7pm at the Seifert Performing Art Center, 44 Geremonty Drive, in Salem. Part of ticket sales will go to the International Rescue Committee (IRC) to help assist Ukraine. Tickets are available online at speakingmusic.com or by calling (800) 595-4849.
• PROGRESSIVE GARDEN PARTY Monadnock Music’s summer festival presents a botanical tour of Jaffrey set to classical music, performed live by soloists in 3 separate gardens, and featuring unique food and drink at each location, Saturday, July 23, noon to 5 p.m., location TBA. Tickets cost $100. Visit monadnockmusic.org.
• FAMILY CONCERTS Monadnock Music Summer Festival hosts three family concerts on July 27, titled “Moonstrike: Tellings of American Indian Legends.” The program features a string quartet with a narrator. The first is at noon at George Holmes Bixby Memorial Library, Francestown Old Meeting House, the second at 2 p.m. at Peterborough Library, 1833 Room, Peterborough, and the third at 4 p.m. at Olivia Rodham Memorial Library, Nelson Town Hall. Performances are free and open to the public. For more info, visit monadnockmusic.org.
• TITANIC THE MUSICAL Presented by the Manchester Community Theatre Players. Manchester Community Theatre Players Theatre, located at the North End Montessori School (698 Beech St., Manchester; manchestercommunitytheatre.com, 327-6777). Showtimes on Fri., Oct. 14 and Oct. 21, and Sat., Oct. 15 and Oct. 22.
• TRUE TALES LIVE Portsmouth-based storytelling showcase. Monthly, last Tuesday (no shows in July and August), from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Shows will be held in person (Portsmouth Public Media TV Studio, 280 Marcy St., Portsmouth) starting in April, and returning to the Zoom format for the winter, starting in November. Each month’s showcase is centered around a different theme. The series is free and open to all who want to watch or participate as a storyteller. Pre-registration for attendees is required for Zoom shows but not required for in-person shows. Visit truetaleslivenh.org and email [email protected] if you’re interested in being a storyteller.
• THROUGH THE FIRE The Village Players present Oscar-winner Estelle Parsons’ and Victor Almanzar’s newest production, Through The Fire, on Friday, July 8, at 7:30 p.m. at the Village Players Theater in Wolfeboro. The show follows Almanzar’s own life, including his immigration from the Dominican Republic to New York City, and his time serving in the U.S. Marine Corps in Kosovo and Iraq. Tickets $25 each, on sale at www.village-players.com and at the door.
Open calls
• THE RHYTHM OF NEW HAMPSHIRE SHOW CHORUS Women’s a cappella chorus is looking for female singers in the region to join. The group, an affiliate of the North American singing organization Harmony, Inc., performs a wide variety of music, including Broadway musical songs, patriotic songs, pop, jazz and seasonal pieces, for community and veterans’ events and private functions. Rehearsals are held weekly on Thursdays from 6:45 to 8:30 p.m. at the Marion Gerrish Community Center, 39 W. Broadway, Derry. Masks are required for singing, but both vaccinated and unvaccinated singers are welcome. Visit rnhchorus.org or email [email protected] for more information.