Natalie Merchant with Erik Della Penne : Autumn Acoustic Tour

Natalie Merchant is hitting the road with her Autumn Acoustic Tour feat. Erik Della Pena.See them live in Gardiner, Maine on Tuesday November 4, 2025 at Johnson Hall Opera House!Natalie MerchantOver her 40-year career Natalie Merchant has earned a reputation for being a......More

Natalie Merchant is hitting the road with her Autumn Acoustic Tour feat. Erik Della Pena.See them live in Gardiner, Maine on Tuesday November 4, 2025 at Johnson Hall Opera House!Natalie MerchantOver her 40-year career Natalie Merchant has earned a reputation for being a songwriter andrecording artist of rare quality, a captivating stage performer, and a skilled producer. She has also distinguished herself as a social justice and environmental activist through her work with a wide-variety of non-profit organizations, and by creating documentary films and large-scale community arts projects.Natalie began her musical career as the lead vocalist and lyricist of the pop music band 10,000 Maniacs in 1981 and released two platinum and four gold records with the group. She left the band in 1993 and has subsequently released nine albums as a solo artist with combined sales of seven million copies.In 2007, Merchant was appointed by Governor Elliot Spitzer to serve on the New York State Council on the Arts, and in 2022 Senator Chuck Schumer appointed her to the board of trustees of The American Folklife Center at The Library of Congress.Merchant’s awards for artistic excellence and philanthropic work include: the ASCAP Champion Award, The Library Lion Award from the New York Public Library, and The John Lennon Real Love Award. In 2025 the National Head Start Association made Natalie their national artist-in-residence, and she’s currently working on a collaboration with the Chicago Symphony and Chicago Children’s Theatre called Cabinet of Wonder (a series of free educational films introducing pre-school and kindergarten children to music and poetry).CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS Event Details: Doors will open at 6:30 PM | Show starts at 7:30 PM EST FREE PARKING

Johnson Hall Opera House, 280 Water Street, Gardiner, ME, 04345, United States

Double Feature and Talkback with Oscar Winner Ernest Thompson

Meet the Academy Award-winning writer of On Golden Pond Ernest Thompson in Gardiner, Maine, on Saturday, November 22, 2025 at Johnson Hall Opera House. Ernest will be showing his new short film The Constituent, a double feature with his beloved classic, On Golden Pond, ......More

Meet the Academy Award-winning writer of On Golden Pond Ernest Thompson in Gardiner, Maine, on Saturday, November 22, 2025 at Johnson Hall Opera House. Ernest will be showing his new short film The Constituent, a double feature with his beloved classic, On Golden Pond, with a Q&A in between.Two films by Ernest Thompson- The Constituent (37 Min.), On Golden Pond (1h, 49m)The Constituent-Written and directed by On Golden Pond Academy Award winner Ernest Thompson, this short film is adapted from his one-act play by the same name. In it, Chas Potter, a small-town New Hampshire voter, for decades has written no-holds-barred letters to his senator in Washington, D.C. The content of his missives may be more profane than profound but there’s no mistaking the constituent’s patriotic concern, culminating in an uproarious confrontation when the senator has finally had enough and comes calling. The story is more timely than ever. And even funnier. And it’s crazy funny. And unexpectedly moving. And even reassuringly optimistic, proving that authentic human connection can still trump our political differences. Well, maybe not trump, but at least can serve as an invitation to cross the mythical bridge and reassure us that we have more in common than we realize. Filmed on a paper-thin budget on location in rural New Hampshire, The Constituent stars two veteran theatre, film and television actors, Ernest Thompson and NYPD Blue Emmy winner Gordon Clapp (in roles Burgess Meredith and Ned Beatty originally played on TV), with a lovely and tender cameo by Ernest’s frequent costar Lisa Bostnar. Watch Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnvsHbZTl1k   On Golden Pond–On Golden Pond is a 1981 drama film directed by Mark Rydell from a screenplay written by Ernest Thompson, adapted from his 1979 play of the same name. It stars Katharine Hepburn, Henry Fonda (in his final theatrical film), Jane Fonda, Doug McKeon, Dabney Coleman and William Lanteau. In the film, Norman (Henry Fonda), a crusty, retired professor grappling with many effects of aging, has been married for many years to upbeat, feisty Ethel (Katharine Hepburn), and has had a remote, difficult relationship with their daughter, Chelsea (Jane Fonda). At their summer home on Golden Pond, Norman and Ethel agree to care for Billy, the son of Chelsea’s new boyfriend, and an unexpected relationship blooms. On Golden Pond was released theatrically on December 4, 1981, to critical and commercial success. Reviewers highly praised Rydell’s direction, Thompson’s screenplay and the performances of the cast. The film grossed $119.3 million domestically, becoming the second highest-grossing film of 1981 in North America. It received ten nominations at the 54th Academy Awards, including for Best Picture, and won three: Best Actor (Henry Fonda), Best Actress (Katharine Hepburn) and Best Adapted Screenplay. Watch Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y85sfYVOS84   Ernest has acted with, written for and/or directed more than 30 fellow Oscar winners and nominees. The author of ten movies, 37 plays, two novels and 250 songs, Ernest has been blessed (sometimes cursed) to collaborate with some true legends in each of his fields, in film: Katharine Hepburn and Henry and Jane Fonda (On Golden Pond), Susan Sarandon and Jeff Daniels (Sweet Hearts Dance), Robert Downey, Jr., Winona Ryder and Bruce Dern (1969), Kirk Douglas (The Lies Boys Tell), Shirley MacLaine, Liza Minnelli and Kathy Bates (The West Side Waltz), Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer (the Live TV On Golden Pond) in the theatre, Hepburn and Dorothy Loudon (The West Side Waltz), Jack Lemmon and Estelle Parsons (A Sense of Humor) as a lyricist, Carly Simon (“The Father Daughter Dance”), Joan Osborne (“Look Around”), Natalie MacMaster (“On Golden Pond”) and Griffin William Sherry (“Cross the Bridge”). (And he’s got stories about them all. Bring your questions.) Ernest’s novel The Book of Maps has kept Ernest needing one on his endless book tour. His next, Out Clause, arrives on March 3, 2026. Currently he’s putting together the pieces for his long overdue sequel, Home On Golden Pond, and preparing for next season’s Broadway revival of his original play, On Golden Pond, this time directed by and starring the author. His short film The Constituent in which Ernest performs the title role across from his frequent costar, Emmy winner Gordon Clapp, has played to enthusiastic audiences throughout New England, including a stop at the Maine International Film Festival. Maine’s own Griffin William Sherry cowrote and performs the movie’s theme song and, we’re hoping, will share the stage when Ernest is at Johnson Hall. Throughout the summer of 2025, Ernest has been performing his one-man show, Archie Parish’s Parting Words, to riotous response and is in conversations to take the play to Johnson Hall after the new year, stay tuned. Learn more at www.ErnestThompson.us.

Johnson Hall Opera House, 280 Water Street, Gardiner, ME, 04345, United States

Hallowell Does The Last Waltz

The Last Waltz was a concert by the Canadian-American rock group the Band, held on American Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 1976, at Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco. The Last Waltz was advertised as the Band’s “farewell concert appearance”,and the concert had the Ba......More

The Last Waltz was a concert by the Canadian-American rock group the Band, held on American Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 1976, at Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco. The Last Waltz was advertised as the Band’s “farewell concert appearance”,and the concert had the Band joined by more than a dozen special guests, including their previous employers Ronnie Hawkins and Bob Dylan, as well as Paul Butterfield, Bobby Charles, Eric Clapton, Neil Diamond, Emmylou Harris, Dr. John, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, the Staple Singers, Ringo Starr, Muddy Waters, Ronnie Wood, and Neil Young. This November the legendary crew from Hallowell will present some of the most iconic music that was produced at this historic concert.   TICKET LINK- https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hallowell-does-the-last-waltz-tickets-1577851529399?aff=oddtdtcreator

Johnson Hall Opera House, 280 Water Street, Gardiner, ME, 04345, United States

Capital City Improv presents...Hallmark Holiday...unscripted

The comedy geniuses from Capital City Improv deliver the Hallmark movies you wish you could see!Capital City Improv returns to Johnson Hall with their improvised smash hit – Hallmark Holiday UNSCRIPTED. This show features holiday inspired short form improv in the first ......More

The comedy geniuses from Capital City Improv deliver the Hallmark movies you wish you could see!Capital City Improv returns to Johnson Hall with their improvised smash hit – Hallmark Holiday UNSCRIPTED. This show features holiday inspired short form improv in the first act, which includes audience participation and short form games. In the second act, the performers take audience suggestions and use them improvise an entire Hallmark holiday movie, right before your eyes! You know the stories. You know the plots. Now come watch us as we take your twists and turns and weave them seamlessly into a night of memorable comedy! This Show will take plase on the Logan Stage on the 1st floor.

Johnson Hall Opera House, 280 Water Street, Gardiner, ME, 04345, United States

A Motown Christmas with Pat Colwell & The Soul Sensations!

Ho, Ho, Ho, this is Soulful Santa inviting you to the Holiday Musical Event of the year!Ho, Ho, Ho, this is Soulful Santa inviting you to the Holiday Musical Event of the year! Pat Colwell and the Soul Sensations are kicking off the Holiday Season at Johnson Hall Opera ......More

Ho, Ho, Ho, this is Soulful Santa inviting you to the Holiday Musical Event of the year!Ho, Ho, Ho, this is Soulful Santa inviting you to the Holiday Musical Event of the year! Pat Colwell and the Soul Sensations are kicking off the Holiday Season at Johnson Hall Opera House in Gardiner, Maine with a must-see concert event. A crowd favorite, their Motown Christmas Show is sure to teach kids of all ages how to be 100% Naughty and Nice! The Soul Sensations are Maine’s #1 Motown/Memphis Soul Revue and they’ll be celebrating with SOULFUL versions of classic carols by the Temptations, Booker T. and the MG’s, the Supremes, Otis Redding, and of course the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin. This show features joyous arrangements of Silver Bells, Rudolph, The Christmas Song, Frosty, Merry Christmas Baby, and Hey Skinny Santa, to name just a few. It evens features a song Pat co-wrote with Bonehead brother, Bob Colwell – “Rocking With The Blues (And My Baby On Christmas Eve)”. You won’t just be singing along – you’ll be dancing in the aisles! Add “A MOTOWN CHRISTMAS” to your Spotify and Apple Music playlists and enjoy the FUN. The Holidays only come once a year so celebrate this special season with SOUL! This performance will take place on the Reehl Stage on the third floor. This venue is handicap accessable.

Johnson Hall Opera House, 280 Water Street, Gardiner, ME, 04345, United States

On A Winter's Night

On A Winter’s Night- featuring Cliff Eberhardt, John Gorka, Lucy Kaplansky, Patty LarkinPresenting the Reunion Tour of “On A Winter’s Night” from veteran singer-songwriters that remain among the brightest stars of the singer/songwriter movement for the past three decade......More

On A Winter’s Night- featuring Cliff Eberhardt, John Gorka, Lucy Kaplansky, Patty LarkinPresenting the Reunion Tour of “On A Winter’s Night” from veteran singer-songwriters that remain among the brightest stars of the singer/songwriter movement for the past three decades. In 1994 Christine Lavin gathered them together, along with folk and Americana artists to showcase music of the Winter Season on the now-classic On A Winter’s Night CD, followed by several years of touring collaborations. These artists have released dozens of recordings and toured steadily through the decades, with fond memories of their touring days together. The winter season is again celebrated by these unique and popular performers, back together by popular demand. PATTY LARKIN She redefines the boundaries of folk-urban pop music with her inventive guitar wizardry and uncompromising lyrics and vocals. Acoustic Guitar Magazine hails her, “soundscape experiments” while Rolling Stone praises her, “evocative and sonic shading.” She has been described as, “riveting” (Chicago Tribune), “hypnotic” (Entertainment Weekly), and a “drop-dead brilliant” performer (Performing Songwriter). Recently an Artist-in-Residence at Berklee College of Music – and now on the faculty at Fine Arts Work Center – Larkin reflects, “I have been energized by the poets, writers, and artists I have met while teaching, and find myself on a journey to break down some of the predictable pathways that songs can travel.” Bird in a Cage, her 14th CD now available, puts poems from ten notable poets to song, including US Poet Laureates William Carlos Williams, Stanley Kunitz, Kay Ryan, Robert Pinsky, and Billy Collins, for a new and haunting collection that pulses with the magic of lyricism. Poems are made to be shared aloud, and with Bird, Patty takes up that tradition and sets it aglow. CLIFF EBERHARDT One of the most original songsmiths currently on tour, Eberhardt is a highly intelligent, articulate artist whose penetrating and profound lyrics are sometimes overshadowed by his extraordinary guitar playing. Upon close listening, the Philadelphia-born singer’s gift for the English language is abundantly clear. The words that tumble from his mouth are framed by a raspy yet deeply elegant voice. Like John Hammond and Richie Havens, Eberhardt continues to carry the torch for traditional and contemporary folk music through his strong live shows. Whether he’s out on tour solo or with a small band, Eberhardt’s guitar playing, singing, and original folk songs and blues make for a compelling, thought-filled, emotional roller coaster of a concert. JOHN GORKA Hailed by Rolling Stone as “the leading singer/songwriter of the New Folk movement,” John Gorka is perhaps the quintessential singer-songwriter of the 90’s folk scene. Originally from New Jersey, John served an apprenticeship at Godfrey Daniels coffeehouse in Bethlehem, PA, then the Greenwich Village Fast Folk scene. Winning the prestigious New Folk award at the Kerrville Folk Festival, in 1984, he was then signed to Red House Records on which he released his landmark first of 17 recordings, I Know. Boston Globe penned Gorka “for the sophisticated intelligence and the provocative originality of his songs.” Recent accolades include 2016’s Indie Acoustic Project’s Best Singer/Songwriter CD of the Year for Before Beginning (Red House Records). 2018 brought his latest release, and 14th of his career, True In Time (Compass Records). True In Time (Compass Records). LUCY KAPLANSKY “A truly gifted performer…full of enchanting songs” (New York Times). Blending country, folk and pop styles, Lucy has the unique ability to make every song sound fresh, whether singing her own sweet originals, covering country classics by June Carter Cash and Gram Parsons, or singing pop favorites by Lennon/McCartney and Nick Lowe. Lucy’s iconic voice has been featured in film and on television, including commercials like Chevrolet’s iconic “Heartbeat of America” jingle. A Billboard-charting singer and one of the top-selling artists on Red House Records, she has topped the folk and Americana radio charts and has been featured on shows throughout the world from NPR’s Weekend and Morning Editions to BBC Radio to CBS Sunday Morning. One of the most in-demand harmony singers, Lucy has sung on countless records, performing with Suzanne Vega, Bryan Ferry, Nanci Griffith, and Shawn Colvin.   TICKET LINK- https://www.eventbrite.com/e/on-a-winters-night-tickets-1469992299539?aff=oddtdtcreator

Johnson Hall Opera House, 280 Water Street, Gardiner, ME, 04345, United States

Reggie Watts

Reggie Watts is an internationally renowned Musician/Comedian/Writer/Actor who most recently starred as the bandleader on CBS’s The Late Late Show with James Corden. Using his formidable voice, looping pedals, and his vast imagination, Watts blends and blurs the lines b......More

Reggie Watts is an internationally renowned Musician/Comedian/Writer/Actor who most recently starred as the bandleader on CBS’s The Late Late Show with James Corden. Using his formidable voice, looping pedals, and his vast imagination, Watts blends and blurs the lines between music and comedy, wowing audiences with performances that are 100% improvised. He was recently the DJ at the 2021 Emmy Awards, which saw a 15% ratings boost from 2020. Watts’ first Netflix special Spatial released to massive critical acclaim, with the New York Times calling it “a giddy rush of escapist nonsense” and dubbing Watts “the most influential absurdist in comedy today.” The A.V. Club described Spatial as “signature Watts, meaning it’s alternately exhilarating, silly, exhausting and transcendent,” and Exclaim! Magazine called his performance “engaging, absurd, thoughtful and, most importantly, wholly unpredictable.” As a solo performer, Watts brand of musical/comedy fusion has led to sold out headlining tours in the U.S. and Europe, including festivals such as Bonnaroo, SXSW, Bumbershoot, Just For Laughs, Pemberton and more. In 2020, Watts released his own content app called, WattsApp, a techno-savvy look into his life, work, and techno junk drawer. WattsApp has all original content including a show called, Droneversations where he interviews guests while it’s filmed by drones along with other fun content. In 2010, Watts released his debut comedy special, Why Shit So Crazy? on Comedy Central Records, and is now available to stream on Netflix. Why Shit So Crazy? featured Watts in live performances at New York venues such as Galapagos, The Bellhouse, and Le Poisson Rouge, bookended with brief sketches and music videos. Later that year, at the invitation of Jack White, Watts recorded Reggie Watts: Live at Third Man Records which was released in limited edition vinyl. In 2012, Watts recorded his second comedy special, Reggie Watts: A Live At Central Park, which was released by Comedy Central. TICKET LINK- https://www.eventbrite.com/e/reggie-watts-tickets-1693066380119?aff=oddtdtcreator This performance will take place on the Reehl Stage (3rd Floor) This space is handicap accessable Doors open at 6:30/Show Time is 7:30

Johnson Hall Opera House, 280 Water Street, Gardiner, ME, 04345, United States

The Second City-Laugh Harder Not Smarter

The world’s most influential name in comedy! The Second City presents Laugh Harder, Not Smarter! Laugh Harder, Not Smarter is a celebration of legendary American comedy, 65 years in the making. Featuring a hilarious array of classic sketch comedy and songs from the comp......More

The world’s most influential name in comedy! The Second City presents Laugh Harder, Not Smarter! Laugh Harder, Not Smarter is a celebration of legendary American comedy, 65 years in the making. Featuring a hilarious array of classic sketch comedy and songs from the company’s rich history, fresh new favorites, as well as the signature brand of irreverent improv that The Second City is famous for. This innovative and interactive performance, brought to life by the dynamic Second City Touring Company, is a celebration of the comedic genius that has graced our stages for six and a half decades. With alumni such as Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert, and Keegan-Michael Key, The Second City has an unmatched track record of launching the careers of comedy superstars. About The Second City The Second City opened its doors in 1959 as a small comedy cabaret and has since grown to become the world’s most influential name in improvisation and comedy. Celebrating its 65th year in business on December 16th, 2024, The Second City’s stages, Touring Companies, and Training Centers across North America have proudly been the launch pad and artistic home for many of the funniest performers, writers, directors, and comedic minds on the planet. For more information, visit SecondCity.comOurillustrious alumni list includes names such as John Belushi, John Candy, Chris Farley, Tina Fey, Keegan-Michael Key, Eugene Levy, Tim Meadows, Bill Murray, Mike Myers, Suzy Nakamura, Catherine O’Hara, Amy Poehler, Gilda Radner, Sam Richardson, Joan Rivers, Amber Ruffin, JasonSudeikis Ticket Link- https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-second-city-touring-company-presents-laugh-harder-not-smarter-tickets-1761419837149?aff=oddtdtcreator

Johnson Hall Opera House, 280 Water Street, Gardiner, ME, 04345, United States

Take a Seat & Create a Legacy

Honor a loved one, contribute as an individual or family, or promote your business. Name a seat for a permanent place in Johnson Hall.LINK- https://www.eventbrite.com/e/take-a-seat-create-a-legacy-registration-1492353773309?aff=oddtdtcreator

Johnson Hall Opera House, 280 Water Street, Gardiner, ME, 04345, United States