“Never have I seen a performer plagued with such a chronic case of stage jitters. I’m sure she vomited before and after every scene. When the cameras stopped, she’d run headlong to her dressing room, lock herself in and cry. Those weren’t butterflies in her stomach. They were wasps.”
So wrote director Frank Capra of Jean Arthur, the woman he called “my favorite actress.” I discovered Jean in my teens while reading Capra’s autobiography, The Name Above the Title. Who was this appealing, neurotic star, so publicity-shy that she was dubbed the “American Garbo” by Movie Classic magazine in 1937?
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Join us on Sat., October 2 at 2pm for the Season Preview of Opera Connection with opera expert and writer-producer Dennis Neil Kleinman. Director of Institutional Advancement Gail VanHoy Carolan spoke with Dennis about the upcoming season, and because his answers were so beautiful, we’re breaking this interview up into two parts! (You can read part 1 here.)Read More
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Ever since I was a young girl, I have ventured downtown Portsmouth during the winter months to see performances at the Historic Theater. It started when my grandmother and mom took me to see the Nutcracker, which is a classic show for any little girl to see, especially if she does ballet; I did of course do ballet and continued dancing until I aged out of my dance school, but that is a story for another time.Read More
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Opera Connection makes a triumphant return this season, starting this Sat., October 2 at 2pm with the Season Preview! Opera expert and writer-producer Dennis Neil Kleinman will lead a lively discussion about all 10 of the operas being shown this season. Director of Institutional Advancement Gail VanHoy Carolan spoke with Dennis about the upcoming season. And his answers were so beautiful, we’re breaking this up into two parts! Stay tuned for more!Read More
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The Gratitude Music Festival is going to be a multi-stage event on Sat., September 25 featuring Neighbor, Carsie Blanton, and ending the night with Anderson East. This day full of music and fun is to celebrate the hard work, perseverance, and dedication of the community’s frontline and essential workers. The Music Hall wants to honor and thank those in our tight-knit community for keeping us going and safe throughout the pandemic. Read More
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