Stepping In and Stepping Up!
Unusual times and urgent needs spur creativity and reimagination. Heroes emerge to save the day. That happened at The Music Hall with the realization that a beloved holiday tradition, Ogunquit Playhouse at The Music Hall’s big musical was just not in the cards this year. Enter creative minds!
Inspired by Live Under the Arch (another invention of necessity during our closure over the summer), we’re introducing the Stage Door Cabaret series. Replicating the tables along Congress and a stage framed by the gorgeous arch on Chestnut Street, we’re moving to the Historic Theater with a similar setup. Of course, we’re not just dropping tables and chairs on the stage; we’re positioning them into a glamorous setting! Imagine entering the grand stage doors (grand because they had to accommodate elephants entering back in the day!) into a speakeasy with gorgeous decor, lighting, and martini bar. Therese LaGamma, our Director of Programming, knocked it out of the park with an eclectic lineup of artists—from classical to blues, with a touch of country—there is a little something for everyone, and for some, a must-see line up of everything!
Enter Paul and Jessica McKeon. A very successful local business owner, Paul is CEO of B2W Software, building innovative software for the construction industry since 1993. Jessica is a hardworking member of our board of trustees. They’re generous philanthropists and lead donors, with a named B2W Box Office at The Music Hall. Over the last several months, we’ve discussed the impact on many of our local downtown restaurants, hotels, and merchants and the resulting loss of investments of sponsorships to the theater. Recognizing that this is a time that those who could, must come to the rescue, the McKeons jumped in with a significant investment as Presenting Sponsors of the Stage Door Cabaret!
Paul and Jess understand that stepping into a void to facilitate Mainstreet’s recovery is a good investment. The health of the theater is vital to this recovery as we will play a significant role in bringing foot traffic to town. As we imagine a recovery from our current situation, the theater’s ability to bring full houses will hasten the health and wellbeing of our local economy. Their gift to the theater will have a ripple effect throughout.
Paul McKeon adds “Jess and I feel blessed to live in this incredible community and to have as significant a venue as The Music Hall as our cultural centerpiece and local economic engine. We so appreciate the ongoing gift it has been to our entire Seacoast community and the steadfast efforts The Music Hall team has put forward to stay creative, relevant, and accessible in these difficult times. We are thrilled to support this exciting new series and look forward to experiencing the innovative Stage Door Cabaret venue. We implore everyone who can to help us support The Music Hall and to join us, safely, for what promises to be inspiring, festive, high-quality entertainment.”
The Music Hall is grateful for the support of the McKeons. This gift, along with the steadfast support that we are receiving from so many, bodes well for our ability to maintain our operations. Thank you to everyone that along with the McKeons, have come to the rescue, renewed their support, continue to advocate, and patronize our treasured theater. We feel blessed. As you are reimaging your holidays this year, we hope you’ll think of Stage Door Cabaret and many other exciting offerings in our Holiday Medley this year. While we’ll not be able to belly up to the bar at the Cabaret, we’ll certainly look forward to serving you a fine selection of wines, cocktails, and refreshments paired with small plates from the McKeon’s Bar.