I’m still telling everyone how much fun Divas through the Decades was last month. It was my favorite Carl Rajotte original production to date. With dozens of musical numbers, I’m in awe of the dancers who turned Carl’s choreography into what seemed like perpetual motion for two hours. Bravo, Carl!

I don’t know if you knew this or not, but you can’t bring food or beverage into the theater, unless you purchase a Palace Theatre souvenir cup for a couple bucks. It’s has a spill-proof top and straw hole so you can order your favorite beverage and take into the show. Bring it back next time and there’s no extra charge for your beverage once you’ve bought it. I love it because now I don’t have to gulp my merlot when the lights start blinking just before the show starts. I’ve ruined more shirts rushing to finish my adult libation. Lady Baba made me bring a Tide stick to the Palace but now I have my big boy sippy cup.

We are so excited for Friday’s opening night of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. I have to say Andrew Lloyd Weber and Tim Rice are my favorite writers/composers of stage musicals. I’ve seen Jesus Christ Superstar many times and once their music gets in your head, it’s there for weeks it seems. Our production features all the high energy dance numbers of this four-decade-old stage classic. You may recall that Donny Osmond played the lead role in this musical on Broadway a few years ago. Just to show you how much-loved this story is, the show’s licensing agent, the Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization, estimates that more than 20,000 productions have been staged over the years by schools and amateur-theater groups. With 11 performances on tap, there’s a good seat waiting for you starting Friday and running through Saturday April 6.

Lisa Williams’ Messages From Beyond show has been rescheduled for Thursday April 11 after being snowed out in February. Here’s your second chance to see this jaw-dropping medium communicate with “the other side” of life. Has anyone told her about the history of ghosts in our building?

And a quick note: Maine’s favorite comedian, Bob Marley, celebrates with three big shows next month. One on Friday April 12 and two more the next night. Bob was a radio guest of mine 20 years ago on WCGY-FM in Boston when he knew maybe four or five jokes. Since “I knew him when,” I can tell you he has worked hard to become one of the best comedians anywhere. Get tickets soon because Bob usually sells out!

Back next month when I hope the snow will have finally melted!

 

A dozen divas on the Palace stage? How will we fit all that talent and attitude in one place? Only one person could pull a rabbit out of that hat and his name is Carl Rajotte. Our Artistic Director continues to create original musical productions that amaze me. This time, Carl is working with singers and actors from New York City theater to perform the music of Mariah Carey, Tina Turner, Aretha, Jennifer Lopez, Beyonce, Pink, Stevie Nicks and many others. You know they’re divas because many of them use just one name and our Divas Through the Decades creator, Carl (not a diva, but he likes when I just use one name for him), will have the Palace jumping. The show got off to a great start last weekend but get your tickets now because the girls are gone after March 2. Divas is part of the 2012-2013 Citizens Bank Performing Arts Series. 668-5588.

Oh! And before I forget, Lisa Williams and her Messages from Beyond show has been rescheduled after our Blizzard of 2013 created a rare Palace postponement. I’m sure she saw the storm coming before Josh Judge did, but we held off as long as we could before waving the white flag and Lisa will return on Thursday April 11 to fulfill her rain, um uh, snow date.

It’s time for silly on Hanover Street. The Palace Youth Theatre presents Seussical, Jr. Our kids do a great job of weaving Dr. Seuss favorite storylines and characters together. We have four midweek performances planned, March 6, 7, 13 and 14.

Let’s go from a cat in a hat to a dragon and his friend Jackie Paper. Yes, the man who put the music to a 1959 poem written by Lenny Lipton, Peter Yarrow, plays our stage on March 8. Yarrow, of  Peter, Paul and Mary, had a huge hit with Puff the Magic Dragon in 1963. To this day, people debate what Lipton intended the song to mean. I found a web page with Lipton’s actual words about Puff that you may enjoy reading here: http://lennylipton.wordpress.com/2009/02/24/thank-you-puff-the-magic-dragon/

That’s the beauty of who we bring to the Palace. Great performances and compelling back stories.

Spring is almost here…I’ll be back next month with a look ahead at the fun we’ll have at 80 Hanover Street.

New Year, a new show

It’s one part Jerry Springer, one part Dr. Phil and another part Desperate Housewives complete with pink flamingos and a raucously contagious soundtrack. It’s The Great American Trailer Park Musical and it’s parked at the Palace Theatre through January 25^th. Yes, it’s the kind of train wreck musical comedy you can’t look away from. This dysfunctionally funny show is our first in the Citizens Bank Performing Arts Series for the New Year. This is grown up humor but you will absolutely love it.

So, where were you back in February of 1964? As a seventh grader at St. Clement School in Centerline, Michigan, I was glued to the family’s black and white TV when Ed Sullivan shouted, “Ladies and gentlemen, The Beatles!” Was it really 49 years ago? Now I’m depressed. Well if you were watching Walt Disney instead that night, or maybe not even born yet, you get a do-over at the Palace Theatre this Sunday the 20^th for An Evening With 1964 the Tribute. There are a million Beatles tribute shows. I’ve seen my share including this one. The music is spot on and amazingly, so are the singers who were probably born 20 years after the real lads hit America from Liverpool.

A couple more quick recommendations: remember the 80s groups The Babys and Bad English? The lead singer from those bands, John Waite is here on Friday February 1^st. We had him on our radio show a few years back and he had some very funny stories in addition to his many hit songs like “Everytime I Think of You” and “Isn’t It Time”, “When I See You Smile” and “Missing You.” Yes…we can do a meet and greet with John if you’d like.

And maybe the most unpredictable show you’ll see, R-Rated Hypnotist Frank Santos, Jr. hits our stage on Saturday the 2^nd. It’s unpredictable because every audience is different and volunteers will do the craziest stuff when they’re hypnotized. Fascinating and funny. One of my Palace favorites.

OK, looks like I have your social calendar planned. Now, get those tickets at 668-5588 and have a blast at the Palace Theatre!

 

Christmas Spirit

Are you in the Christmas spirit yet? Kind of tough without snow, isn’t it? My very biased recommendation is to get a ticket to the Palace Theatre’s production of the classically charming A Christmas Carol which closes Sunday the 23^rd. We fill the theatre with families every night who make this an annual tradition. Even Scrooge can’t deny his inner holiday spirit!

 

My good friends Recycled Percussion have NOT forgotten their New Hampshire roots. They’re coming back for three raucous shows December 30 and New Year’s Eve the 31^st. The Goffstown High guys hit it big a couple years back on NBC’s America’s Got Talent show and now have a regular spot on the strip in Las Vegas. I have seen them at the Tropicana…even got pulled up on stage there which was SO much fun. This show is 100% family-friendly and different than any music show you’ve ever seen. Get your tickets as RP almost always sells out at the Palace.

 

Let’s flip the calendar and see what the Palace will treat us to in 2013. I must admit the train wreck part of me is intrigued by a show I’ve never heard of called The Great American Trailer Park Musical. It opens a three week run January 11 and I guarantee Barb and I will catch it before it leaves Hanover Street. I also see Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is on the list as well as amazing psychics Lisa Williams and John Edward. And Grease is here in April. Looks to me like next year could be the best ever at the Palace…A Palace Theatre gift certificate would be an oh-wow stocking stuffer for the performing arts fan on your shopping list.

 

Finally…I love New York and the Palace is taking a trip to see the city and a Broadway show. The trip is January 12-14 and Jayna can tell you more by calling 668-5588.

 

Looks like a great holiday season as well as new year at the Palace Theatre. You will see me there frequently so please say hello when you spot me. Happy holidays from Peter, his Palace staff and yours truly!

Holiday Happenings at the Palace!

Is there a lovelier signature Christmas event that The Nutcracker? I have seen this ballet performed everywhere and I can tell you that Southern New Hampshire Dance Theater does it well enough for Radio City Music Hall in New York or any other stage. I fell in love with the Tchaikovsky classic when daughter Liz (now 32) toured with the Pittsburgh Ballet as a reindeer then later the Berkshire Ballet company as a polichinelle. Fast forward 20 years and Liz got to watch Dad (me) play Mother Ginger on the Palace stage. Between the professional dancers and local performers, The Nutcracker can take any Scrooge and make them believe in all that is good about the season. Kids love it. The Nutcracker plays for just one weekend: The 23^rd through the 25^th.

 

Speaking of Scrooge, he’s baaaaack! And so are Tiny Tim and the other Cratchits. The Charles Dickens favorite, A Christmas Carol, brings warmth, hope and tradition to Hanover Street from November 30^th through December 23^rd. The songs are pristine, the story is timeless and the beautifully-crafted set is a time machine back to 1840’s England. Our production is a perfect family night out that many of our patrons consider a yearly must-see.

 

We’re giving Bob Cratchit a night off December 4^th (much to Ebenezer Scrooge’s dismay) to bring piano artist Jim Brickman back to the Palace Theatre. I’ve spoken to Jim on several occasions and he loves the warmth and enthusiasm of Palace audiences. If you’ve only heard his music recordings, you’ll be pleasantly amused at Jim’s on-stage self-deprecating sense of humor and even though he doesn’t sing much, he should. He has great pipes as well. Jim Brickman will be calling in to our radio program a few days before his Christmas show in Manchester, so keep an ear peeled in the morning to 95.7-WZID.

 

Finally, we know how much you love the Palace Theatre Kitchen Tour every year. Well, don’t miss a chance to see Bedford’s most beautiful seasonally-decorated homes with our first Palace Theatre Holiday Home Tour, Sunday December 9th. After an early evening tour of select homes, you’ll end your night at Bedford Village Inn with a signature BVI cocktail and hors d’oeurves from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. Like all our events, you can buy tickets online at palacetheatre.org or call our helpful box office staff at 668-5588.

 

So enjoy the spirit of the holidays as only the Palace Theatre can provide. I’ll see you on Hanover   Street soon!

Fall at The Palace!

The next few weeks at Manchester’s historic Palace Theatre are all about let loose and Footloose.

First, let me personally encourage you to let loose to the comedy of New Hampshire’s Juston Mckinney for what will probably be a sold out performance at 8 p.m Saturday the 20th. At last check there were still seats available. Here’s the cool part. Juston’s Palace show will be filmed for future distribution on television. His last recorded show out west a few years back played on Comedy Central. This will be a full-out “best of” set list for the former Maine cop. (His police stories are hilarious).

We had Juston in-studio with us on WZID last Thursday morning. He’s the dad of a couple small children and honestly, kids do the comedy writing for you. With Juston’s twisted take on everyday living, you will relate to all his funny stories. You can also see Juston in the new Kevin James movie, Here Comes the Boom. Be sure to say hello to him as you exit the theatre lobby. He loves to meet his fans after the show.

One of the best-told stories of the musical theater genre is Footloose and it’s playing 11 big shows on our stage beginning Friday the 26^th through Saturday November 10^th. Footloose has all the elements of great drama…the cute new kid in town, the Reverend’s rebellious daughter and of course all the great music that sold 15 million soundtrack copies including Kenny Loggins’ infectious title song.

The 1984 movie starring Kevin Bacon got a fresh coat of paint with new faces and voices last year with Kenny Wormald as Ren and Julianne Hough as Ariel. But you know something, seeing our performers within touching distance on the Palace stage takes Footloose to a whole new level…get your tickets now.

Oh! Jimmy Tingle’s one man American Dream show a few weeks back was sensational. His movie within the live portions was partly filmed in Manchester. And guess who got roped into being a “guest speller” in The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee last month at the Palace? You guessed it. Yours t-r-u-l-y.

I’m always delighted by the fun we have at the Palace. Come let loose with me this month!

September at The Palace!

Wow! I just took a look at the Palace Theatre schedule for the next few weeks. Talk about something for everyone. I mean, how many venues in New Hampshire bring you within touching distance of people like Joan Benoit Samuelson, 80s singing superstar Christopher Cross, X-rated hypnotist Frank Santos, Jr. and the funniest political satirist on the planet, Jimmy Tingle? Add The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee musical and you’ll be laughing you b-u-t-t off! So here’s my take on the upcoming smorgasbord of entertainment at the Palace:

On Tuesday the 18^th, Olympic gold medal and Boston Marathon winner Joan Benoit Samuelson will screen her film, There is No Finish Line to benefit the Manchester Invitational. For just $10, you’ll meet Joan before the movie and enjoy an audience Q & A following the screening. I sat next to the Maine runner at a charity luncheon years ago and was really impressed with her down-to-earth demeanor and stories of her amazing career. I like Joan and I think you will to.

What can you say about Christopher Cross? Every time I hear his stirring ballad “Sailing” I’m transported to a quiet lagoon with whispers of sea breezes and colorful sail boats. He owned the 80s with “Ride Like the Wind,” “Theme from Arthur” starring Dudley Moore and other songs. Cross plays the Palace October 5^th.

Then the following night, if I may quote Monty Python, “…and now for something completely different…” the stage belongs to Frank Santos, Jr. along with people clucking like chickens, singing opera and, well, um, doing naughty things while under the hypnotic suggestions of Mr. Santos. Honestly, you will be shocked at what people will do while hypnotized. Every show is different.

Just when you lost all faith in presidential politics, Boston’s Jimmy Tingle restores your ability to laugh at the absurdity of the election process. His “humor for humanity” platform spares no sacred cows and helps you forget the tedious campaign commercials we’re bombarded with this time of year. Jimmy’s been on our WZID show many times and was featured as a commentator for Sixty Minutes II on CBS. The first half of the show features his film, Jimmy Tingle’s American Dream, much of which was shot in New Hampshire, including our radio show. Don’t miss Jimmy’s one man show, Jimmy Tingle for President: The Funniest Campaign in History on October 7^th.

And running through September 29^th is the Broadway musical, The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. This production is for everyone who’s ever been in a school spelling bee, including yours truly, who was bumped from my 8^th grade competition finals when I misspelled adequate. How ironic. It has a SNL aspect to it and contains some adult content.

Guess I’d better hit Spell-Check for this essay. See you at the Palace!

The Palace Theatre isn’t just our little secret any more. Now the rest of America knows. The 2012 Outstanding Historic Theater Award has been given to the Palace Theatre! Carl Rajotte, the Palace’s Artistic Director was in San Diego at the awards ceremony to accept on behalf of the Palace Theatre Trust.

“Personally, I have been thrilled to show our audiences the production value we have achieved to date both artistically and technically. I am so proud of what we have accomplished and I am thrilled that the League of Historic American Theatres has seen fit to recognize those accomplishments,” he said.

As the Palace approaches its 100^th birthday in 2015, the award recognizes that “the Palace Theatre has demonstrated excellence through its significant community impact, quality of programs and services, and quality of the restoration or rehabilitation of its historic structure.” But you knew that already. Like most of you, I’ve been a huge fan of what goes on at 80 Hanover Street for decades.

There are many reasons why the Palace has been embraced by lovers of performance art in New Hampshire. Peter Ramsey and his staff never stop looking for new entertainment ideas. From classic rock to musicals to cooking demos to shows for children, the Palace never rests on its laurels. Here’s another example:

The first-ever Manchester Music Festival will bring outstanding artists to both an outside stage on Hanover Street as well as inside on the theatre stage in September. The summer experiment to close Hanover Street to traffic on weekends worked so well, this concept seems to me like a slam dunk. Concept aside, look who’ll be playing this two-night festival: Farren Butcher, Inc, James Montgomery and Friends, Jon Poussete-Dart and others. These are all musicians who were tearing up the Boston music scene when I started at 94.5 WZOU, “The Zoo” and 93.7 WCGY in the 1980s. I’m so excited they’re playing under the stars for you with great memories and new songs September 7^th and 8^th.

Inside on the Palace stage it’ll be Orleans Friday the 7^th and Little Texas on Saturday night. We have several packages that include meeting the bands, preferred seating and other perks. Call the Palace today and the great folks at the box office will hook you up for big fun at the Manchester Music Festival. Call 668-5588. Proceeds help the Historic Palace Theatre keep the great shows coming all year long.

The Palace Theatre…now America knows how cool we are!

I love this! The Palace Theatre has given you an early birthday present! We’re celebrating our 100^th birthday in 2015, so we’ve added 489 new seats on the lower level. The comfier chairs are more spacious and somehow the theatre has managed to add 33 more seats including more in the front center for Golden Circle patrons. Now, if only Fenway Park could go with our idea for more spacious seating.

Speaking of our upcoming Second Century campaign, I was curious which stage stars were also born in 1915. We’re in pretty good company with the likes of Frank Sinatra, Arthur Miller, Harry Morgan, Lorne Greene and Orson Welles. What a great year 1915 was for the performing arts.

While I’m on the subject of tributes, our summer music agenda is filled value-priced top notch tribute bands. On July 27^th, we’ll start with Klassic KISS…a tribute to KISS featuring Balance, an excellent tribute to Van Halen. Then on August 4^th, “you got fins to the left, fins to the right” with Changes in Latitude, the premier Jimmy Buffet tribute show. Can you imagine how festive Hanover Street will be that night since it will be closed to traffic that night?

Finally, Another Tequila Sunrise, a tribute to the Eagles hits the stage August 18^th.

We haven’t forgotten the kids this summer with outstanding productions of  Rapunzel, Aladdin, The Little Mermaid and The Wizard of Oz, all classic family entertainment on our stage before the kids head back to school. Check palacetheatre.org for show times and tickets information.

And if the summer heat has made you a bit cranky, may I suggest getting tickets to see comedian Lenny Clarke and his Cast of Characters on Saturday night July 28th?

Lenny is a Boston original for sure. If you’ve been around a while, you’ve probably seen his stand up act. If not, take my suggestion. See Lenny on the 28^th. You’ll thank me later. Of course, like fellow Bostonians Jay Leno and Conan O’Brien, Lenny has put together an impressive string of prime time TV show successes. Most recently he plays Melvin Newman on Are You There, Chelsea? and Uncle Teddy on a bunch of seasons of Rescue Me.

Talk about variety…the Palace Theatre has something for everyone this summer…better seats for your comfort…and if you haven’t been to the theatre for a year or so, you haven’t seen our new-with-a-view front ticket area and lounge with fully-stocked bar. C’mon down. The A/C is on and so is the fun.

Summer at the Palace

Welcome to summer, where kids are already chanting, “Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet?” In fact, I can hear Bart Simpson barking that into Homer’s ear as I write this.

Well, Bart, the answer is, “We’re almost there, if you love great family-friendly stage entertainment!” The Palace Professional Theatre for Children is rehearsing for their four show run of Cinderella July 10-12. This includes two matinee performances that are sure to be fully energized by hundreds of children in the seats enjoying fellow kids on stage doing the show. And where else can you get a guaranteed fun musical for just $7 a seat? We can get you in for less with special group rates so call our bibbidy bobbidy box office at 603-668-5588.

Pop quiz time: Which eighties song contains these lyrics?

…That’s the way it began, we were hand in hand
Glenn Miller’s Band was better than before
We yelled and screamed for more…

If you answered Free Bird by Lynyrd Skynyrd, sorry you were wrong. Those who guessed Reminiscing by Little River Band would be correct. Here’s the best part: the wildly popular group from Australia will play the Palace for one show only, July 13. Don’t worry…they’ll be sure to play their other mega hits, like Help in on the Way, Happy Anniversary, Lady, Lonesome Loser, Cool Change and a bunch more. Just don’t shout out, “Play Free Bird, man!” I don’t think they know that one. Don’t miss LRB this time around. Who knows when they might hit Hanover Street again?

Let me close with a bit more good news (I’m full of it today!)…When you attend a Palace production after July 8 and sit in the orchestra section, you’ll love our new, more comfy seats going in over the next few weeks. Enjoy your summer and be sure to catch a show soon at the Palace Theatre. We’ll be looking for you.