Music Hall
28 Chestnut Street,
Portsmouth,
NH
03801
28 Chestnut Street,
Portsmouth,
NH
03801
5 people
favorited this theater
Related Websites
The Music Hall (Official)
Additional Info
Previously operated by: E.M. Loew's Theaters Inc.
Architects: William Ashe
Functions: Movies (Classic), Movies (Independent), Performing Arts
Styles: Renaissance Revival
Previous Names: Portsmouth Theatre, Civic Theatre
Phone Numbers:
Box Office:
603.436.2400
Nearby Theaters
News About This Theater
- Jun 17, 2009 — Music Hall in Portsmouth
Today, the Music Hall in Portsmouth is an educational and charitable organization presenting live and cinematic arts in a landmark 900-seat opera house.
Over the last twelve years, since it was saved from the wrecking ball, The Music Hall has earned its position as the premier cultural center between Boston and Portland. The Music Hall is a stage for everyone in the Portsmouth community and is celebrating its 123 years of operation.
Contributed by
Monica Bounds
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Recent comments (view all 15 comments)
PaulNoble: Interesting that you would post this as I viewed The View today and heard Barbara speak of being at this theatre over the weekend and that it had to be evacuated though she didn’t go into any detail, on air. Thanks for giving us the balcony scoop. BTW, has anyone read her book?
I’ll be attending a show at the Music Hall in a couple of weeks, for the first time! I’m excited!
Last night, as part of their Summerfilm program, the Music Hall showed West Side Story. I’d never been to the Music Hall before, but it’s a fabulous-looking theatre, with a big screen that' covered by a dark red velvet curtain, plus an old-fashioned-looking concession stand.
Since I was there last month, I recognize the Music Hall. It’s a beautiful theatre!
Lost Memory check out Warrens post of July 21,2008 for inside photo.
I just noticed there were few photos of the Music Hall so I added some that I took in 2011. Marvelous story of being saved from the wrecking ball, and how the theatre’s reopening revitalized the area.
I saw a movie here the other day while visiting nearby Ogunquit, Maine, and it is even more beautiful in person. The auditorium is lovely, and there is a thick red curtain and valence covering the screen before the show. I expected it to open vertically when the show started, but was delighted to see that it rose up instead, with a big screen in the middle of the proscenium and the valence in place. A welcome and classy presentation.
In addition to the beauty of the auditorium, the downstairs bar/lobby is like a vintage nightclub, all rich dark blues with discrete lighting and a hide-away vibe. Must be a great place to have private parties.
And the upstairs lobby with the concession stand and entrances to the auditorium has a classic yet historic feel of a movie palace lobby, but one built before the boom of the 1920’s, with lots of wood and muted tones.
All in all, well worth a visit if you are anywhere near the area. Plus the bustling former shipping center that is Portsmouth has lots to do and see (and eat and drink) so my short stay there left me very satisfied.
I have heard that there is a project at the Music Hall to fit the facade with some sort of colorful marquee. The theater sits on a narrow side street and does not have much visibility downtown.
A relative who lives in Portsmouth told me today that the new marquee has been installed.
Was it always called the Music Hall? I’m trying to find info. about a theater in Portsmouth called the Scenic, which in 1915, showed mostly movies by Paramount.