NOON TOURS ON
October 17
November 21
December 19
January 16
February 20
March 19
April 16

PORTSMOUTH, NH, Starting Wednesday, September 19, The Music Hall will open its doors for once-a-month guided tours, taking visitors behind the scenes and through the history of the celebrated 1878 theater, designated An American Treasure.

The tour offers some of the first up-close views of the newly restored decorative paintings on the ceiling dome, unveiled to the public September 8, 2007. On show is the return of extraordinary decorative artistry that had been covered over and forgotten for decades, the work of original owners of The Music Hall and artisans from 1878 to 1901. Visitors gain insight into the paintings’ history and their one-of-a-kind discovery in Winter 2007 – a find architectural conservators called "so dramatic, it takes your breath away."

Arranged by Music Hall Historian Zhana Morris, the tour also paints a full picture of the history of the hall, including the tales of sailors who rigged the theater in the late 19th Century, its flashy and famous owners, and stars who have taken stage, from Buffalo Bill to Paul Newman, Pearl Bailey to Alan Alda, John Philip Sousa to Wynton Marsalis.

According to Margaret Talcott, The Music Hall’s Director of Strategic Communications, "During the performance season the stage is busy with music, theatre, dance and cinema. But with such spectacular restoration work done we had to fit in tours to share and explain the history of the hall."

Visitors are invited backstage to view antique riggings still operating today, up to the theater’s magnificent horseshoe balcony, and through the orchestra to the grand proscenium arch surrounding the stage. Merging a colorful past and present, the 45-minute tour provides tour-goers with unique perspectives on yesterday, today, and the future of the oldest operating theater in northern New England.

The Historic Tours of The Music Hall will take place on the third Wednesday of each month at 12 noon, originating in the lobby of the theater at 28 Chestnut Street in downtown Portsmouth. The first tour will run on Wednesday, September 19 at 12 noon. Subsequent tours run October 17, November 21, December 19, January 16, February 20, March 19, and April 16. Tour tickets are $6 ($5 Member) and can be purchased day of tour, in advance at www.themusichall.org, or through the box office at 603-436-2400. Box office hours are noon-6:00pm Monday through Saturday.

ABOUT THE MUSIC HALL

The Music Hall is a non-profit performing arts center that entertains 100,000 patrons, including 20,000 school children, annually with acclaimed film, music, theater, and dance performances. Its historic 900-seat theater, built in 1878, is the oldest in New Hampshire and designated an "American Treasure" by the National Parks Service’s Save America’s Treasures Program. Living out its mission to be an active and vital arts center for the enrichment of the Seacoast community, The Music Hall presents diverse and relevant programming, including its signature series and innovative community outreach programs, and hosts numerous community fundraisers and celebrations for the benefit of more than 20 local non-profits. A cultural anchor in a thriving Seacoast economy, The Music Hall and its patrons contribute $4.2 million annually to the local economy through show and visitor related spending. For more information, visit www.themusichall.org.