I would have given this 4 stars, as it is a solid venue for music, but the staff and "house rules" were a bit of a downer. I understand this place is sort of a historic novelty in Portsmouth, but there is a line between preserving the space/atmosphere and treating the patrons like children.
I bought an alcoholic drink in the lobby, and had to hand it over to an usher to carry it up the stairs to the arena (apparently if you have drink YOU WILL spill it, and forever ruin the carpeting that is trampled on by hundreds per night). Once up the stairs, I was informed that alcohol is prohibited from the seating area, thus, forced to pound my drink so I could be allowed entry before the show started. A bit of a turn off.
The staff also fails to realize that while someone sitting a few rows in front taking a picture of the performance can be a bit distracting (albeit an expected one), it is far less annoying than an usher constantly marching through the aisles wagging his finger like a middle school principal.
Those issues aside, the Music Hall brings in some great talent (I saw John Prine last night!), the sound is great, and the downtown Portsmouth scene provides great pre-and post-show spots for food and drinks.
Side note: This is an old venue, with old seats that are slightly less comfortable than most have come to expect. On the up-side, the "obstructed view" seats refer to small poles that support the balcony and don't get in the way much.
As I said to a friend the other night, when employees are unpleasant and rude, there is a trickle down effect from management. There must be someone at the top of the box office food chain who is monumentally unpleasant. Terrible customer service, inexcusable. Since it is such a small town, one tries to ignore the terrible feeling of ugh, those rude box office people (not all, but many), I will just try to slip in without any trouble. And then, blam, it happens again. Friends have stories of their own. Â Who is the box office person? Do you live a tortured life?
So here is the plan: Newburyport Screening Room whenever possible. Portland, NYC, Boston. Anything but the Music Hall.
Beautiful theater with really interesting indie films. It's only one screen, so you obviously have to arrange your schedule based on what movies for the month interest you and what time the showings are. There's a certain amount of quaintness to that, though, so as long as we plan ahead it isn't an issue.
I will basically go see any movie if promised some movie theater snacks, so the concessions here are a highlight for me. The popcorn isn't full of artificial butter crap and they actually have gourmet food items in addition to the normal stuff. We managed to get a good sized popcorn, a soda, a box of candy, and a freshly baked cookie for $10. In any multiplex it would cost more than that for a stale, greasy, tiny bag of popcorn and a drop of soda poured over a mountain of ice.
I'm not a huge fan of the lobby renovation... it looks kind of cheesy and takes away from the elegance of the theater itself. But it's a very cool, unique place and I'm glad it's still around.
Just attended the Warren Miller film with my father. Â The theatre itself was nice, but the staff was monumentally rude. Â We picked our tickets up at the box office, where they ripped the stub. Â Even though I had a ticket that was clearly valid, this nasty staffer blocked me on the stairs and gave me a hard time about the fact that the box office had already ripped my ticket and wouldn't let me by. Â She had just let my father (whose ticket was also ripped) by seconds before, but I got the inquisition. Â I can only assume that she has a problem with young women, but I don't appreciate being treated like some dishonest twit who is trying to pull a fast one.
Review Source:They have still made no real attempt to resolve this problem and have insinuated time and again that I attended the show (although the musician I wanted to see canceled and I had no intention of hiking to NH!) and want to steal their money by asking for a reimbursement. Sadly I did not go see Billy Bragg OR Mavis Staples, Music Hall! I'm really disappointed in these folks.
Review Source:The staff is very nice, they even called when I erred buying the seats. I had sent them an email but they didn't get it so I am glad they called. Â Anyway we went today to see the Popovich Animal Circus/comedy. Â I bought my seats last minute so they were in the balcony off the the side. They really need to sit in these seats before they sell them for the same price as all the other balcony seats. We ended up standing for the first half as we couldn't see anything. Â Everyone else around us joined us against the wall at some point. It was very unclear that there was an intemission an hour into the show since the handout mentioned the show was an hour so I think some folks left unknowingly, or they just didn't like it. I woudl think a show like this is a bit boring for kids today and maybe a bit out of place. I like that all the animals from from a shelter but the tix were pretty pricy. Â One time seeing it is enough.
The second half was better than the first half and I think everyone would like to see more of the animals.
I love this performance space! New England historic architecture at its best. I went to see the Shanghai Circus the other night (great show by the way), and I had always been curious about the space. It's amazing. The lobby has a bar and really neat decor and the old staircases that go up to the second level are beautiful. The space itself has hardwood floors like an old movie house, the seats look to be original and the ceiling and box seats near the stage are beautifully restored. The detail and the level of restoration was amazing. And of course, the stage had the deep, rich red velvet curtains. For someone like myself who loves old buildings and old theaters in particular, the space was a beautiful surprise. What a jewel. I can't wait to go back!
Review Source:I was a little disappointed when I wanted to buy Indigo Girls tickets. Â All the best seats were taken by the fan club. Â I'm not sure what the point is to being a member and getting tickets first when you don't get them first. Â Then there was Art Garfunkel. Â The concert was rescheduled and then cancelled because the artist had a medical issue and the Music Hall had my money for about a year before I got it back. Â Get well, Art. Â I'm also disappointed by how many good acts choose to play somewhere else like Blue Ocean, Tupelo, or the Hampton Casino Ballroom.
The old theater is beautiful on the inside, but the new lobby is bizarre (see my previous review for a description). Â Most of the shows I've seen there have been terrific, and if there's a good band coming to the Music Hall, you should check it out. Â And while you're in town, eat in a local restaurant and stay in a local hotel or B&B. Â For example, eat at Jumpin Jay's or Brazo, see a show at the Music Hall, and stay a the Ale House Inn. Â And there are tons of other options. Â Do it right, it's Portsmouth!
Three stars because if everything goes right, it's a four star experience. Â But there are enough frustrations to drop it to a still-respectable three stars.
I am a total fan of the Music Hall, and being an Interior Designer, I waited patiently to see the new lobby.....To me it doesn't seem to fit in with what the Music Hall represents .I adore the hall space upstairs and all the work that makes it much like the old movie palaces, and nothing is better than seeing a film on 1 large screen, as oppossed to the Mega-cinema cubicles.
Review Source:Awesome place to see a show. First off, the lobby/bar is A-mazing, as are the world-famous restrooms. For an old theatre, this is as good as it gets, and they've been doing a nice job updating it and keeping things fresh. We saw TAO- japanese taiko drumming there and it was awesome. Our chests were rumbling the whole time, and from the upper side balcony we could see every expression on the performer's faces very clearly. It's really the gem of the Seacoast area if you ask me.
Review Source:This is as good as it gets for boutique smaller theaters. Â The movies they show here are all worth seeing and keep an eye out for certain performers. Â Sometimes they have bigger acts who come through here and choose to play the Music Hall because of the atmosphere . ( I missed out on Brandi Carlile)
Review Source:Just spent a week in Portsmouth and took the Music Hall's "Historic Tour" (which is offered on a regular basis). Â It is well worth the time in a town that offers so much. Â The ongoing effort to restore this classic building is clearly a labor of love. Â While I agree that the new lobby seems to be more that a bit strange, it certainly is more functional that the old one.. Â I'm not a full time resident of this lovely town but always make certain to see what is happening at the Music Hall when planning a visit. Â I suggest you do to..
Review Source:Gorgeous renovations. Â I spent weeks in Portsmouth in the past and always went here. Â
This time around, a year later, the lobby is new and hip. Â I think the seating has changed but not sure about that one. Â Funny, I've only been around to see movies, not the wonderful plays and shows it is known for. Â This time I saw "Encounters at the End of the World" with me mum and what an inspiring documentary. Â Rent it tonight.
See it. Â See it now.
Small theater with character. Â Seats are a bit uncomfortable, but it's doable. Â Excellent venue whether for the summer film series, the Telluride Series, live music, etc. Â Some of my favorites over the years have been A Child's Christmas In Wales performed by the Boston Lyric Opera, Cassandra Wilson, King's Singers, Robin Williamson and Robert Mirabel, A Jazz Nutcracker, Joshua Redman, Dianne Reeves...just lots of good stuff. Â The place to see other than Hollywood movies. Â Saw I'm Not There this fall.
I like the balcony.
What a cool place to spend a Friday night.  I enjoyed an opera, Lucia di Lammermoor, with a few friends, and it was a great.  The Music Hall has a cool atmosphere on opera night - a mix of young and old - some dressed casually in khakis and sweaters while some of the older gentlemen arrived in tuxedos and women in gowns.  The quality of the opera was  better than expected - the lead soprano was fantastic, and the orchestra was great - the highlight was definitely the flautist.  Overall, it was a great alternative to the typical night out.  I'm going to check out upcoming events at The Music Hall right now.
Review Source:Wow, the Music Hall in Portsmouth brings back so many memories of some really cool shows I've seen there in the past, particularly jazz ensemble performances. This late 19th century theater is gorgeous and has great acoustics. Over the course of the last year and a half it has undergone some extensive renovations to restore its original glory, including the careful and meticulous scraping of layers of paint, which in the process uncovered some beautiful ceiling artwork that hasn't been seen since the early 1900s. Apparently up until recently not much had been known about the Hall's architectural history.
Lots of other performing arts can be seen here as well, in addition to musical acts, such as dance, cinema, theatre and opera. I can't wait to visit the Music Hall sometime in the future to see how nicely it's been restored.
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