LIVE EVENTS
Friday, February 3 – Richard Thompson
Part of the Realtor Victoria Fingelly Singer Songwriter Series
Crowned “the finest rock songwriter after Dylan and the best electric guitarist since Hendrix” by the Los Angeles Times, Richard Thompson is a legend who holds lifetime achievement awards from both the Americana Music Association and the BBC Awards. One of Rolling Stone’s “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time,” he has influenced and been covered by a diverse group of stellar musicians, including Robert Plant, Don Henley, Elvis Costello, REM and David Byrne. His 19th album, 13 Rivers, features the fleet-fingered fretwork and poetic songwriting that leaves critics and fans breathless.
Saturday, February 4 – The Adventures of Tortoise & Hare: The Next Gen
This clever twist on Aesop’s classic fable of The Tortoise and the Hare continues the story 10 years down the road, with children of each animal’s own exploring modern day distractions. The Next Gen features Tortoise Junior and Lil’ Hare in a whole new kind of race; where their adventures lead them into unexpected territory. With dazzling visuals, poignant storytelling and the creative use of music from classical to pop, this production brings this tale into a new brilliant light.
Sunday, February 12 – Christopher Grundy, Baritone: Performing Arts Faculty Recital
Join critically-acclaimed baritone Christopher Grundy and pianist Eric Trudel for a compelling and varied afternoon of British, American and German song, sponsored by the SHU Performing Arts Department. The program features beloved classics by Franz Schubert and Ralph Vaughan Williams, as well as a newly-completed song cycle by Connecticut composer Neely Bruce.
Thursday, February 16 – On A Winter’s Night
Part of the Realtor Victoria Fingelly Singer Songwriter Series
The Reunion Tour of “On A Winter’s Night” on February 16th, from veteran singer-songwriters that remain among the brightest stars of the singer/songwriter movement for the past three decades. Featuring Cliff Eberhardt, John Gorka, Lucy Kaplansky and Patty Larkin, these artists have released dozens of recordings and toured steadily through the decades, with fond memories of their touring days together.
Saturday, February 18 – Broadway The Calla-Way! Liz Callaway & Ann Hampton Callaway
Part of the Newtown MediSpa Broadway On Post Series
Tony-nominated sisters Ann Hampton Callaway and Liz Callaway are raising the roof in their new show, Broadway The Calla-Way! The unforgettable evening includes showstoppers from West Side Story, Chicago, Funny Girl, Cats, Carousel, Wicked and more!
Sunday, February 19 – Los Lobos
Over the last five decades, the East L.A. band has made an indelible mark on music history by exploring an enormous diversity of genres—rock-and-roll and R&B, surf music and soul, mariachi and música norteña, punk rock and country—and building a boldly unpredictable sound all their own.
Saturday, March 4 – Naturally 7
Naturally 7 is so much more than an a cappella group. They transform their voices into human instruments, effortlessly producing music of any genre. Their vocal choreography is so perfectly interwoven that they compelled the musical maestro himself, Quincy Jones, to declare them “the best a cappella group in the world!” Their 20-year career includes unforgettable appearances on TV’s The World’s Best, three world tours with the incomparable Michael Bublé, shared billing with Coldplay and shared stages with Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Sarah Connor, Lionel Richie, Ludacris, The Roots and more. Their latest project, 20/20, celebrates their 20th anniversary and 20 hand-picked fan favorites.
Sunday, March 5 – Croce Plays Croce
A.J. Croce performs Croce Plays Croce, a special night of music featuring a complete set of classics by his late father Jim Croce, some of his own tunes, and songs that influenced both him and his father. This special event features such timeless songs as “Operator”, “You Don’t Mess Around with Jim”, “Time in a Bottle” (a song written for A.J.)“, Rapid Roy (The Stock Car Boy)”, and “Lovers Cross”, to name a few. Classic covers may include songs by Lieber and Stoller, Bessie Smith, and other folk and roots artists.
Thursday, March 9 – Paula Poundstone
WSHU is the presenting media sponsor for this event
Paula Poundstone is known for her smart, observational humor and a spontaneous wit that has become the stuff of legend. Time magazine, in the March 2020 “Best of” issue, listed Paula’s HBO special, Cats, Cops and Stuff as one of The 5 Funniest Stand-Up Specials Ever.
Thursday, March 16 – Ladysmith Black Mambazo
For 60 years, South Africa’s five-time Grammy Award winners, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, have warmed the hearts of audiences worldwide with uplifting vocal harmonies, signature dance moves and charming onstage banter. It was Paul Simon’s 1987 Graceland album that introduced them to the world and the late South African President Nelson Mandela designated them “South Africa’s cultural ambassadors to the world.”
Sunday, March 12 – Red Baraat – Festival Of Colors
Red Baraat is a pioneering band from Brooklyn, New York. The group has drawn worldwide praise for its singular sound, a merging of hard driving North Indian bhangra with elements of hip-hop, jazz and raw punk energy. Created with no less a purposeful agenda than manifesting joy and unity in all people, Red Baraat’s spirit is worn brightly on its sweaty and hard-worked sleeve.
Saturday, March 18 – Robert Klein
For more than 40 years, Robert Klein has been making audiences laugh and critics cheer on Broadway, television and film. On March 18th he’s coming to SHU Community Theatre for an evening you won’t forget. “He was The Beatles of comedy to me.” — Jerry Seinfeld
Thursday, April 13 – Chucho Valdés
In a career spanning more than 60 years, both as a solo artist and bandleader, Chucho Valdés has distilled elements of the Afro-Cuban music tradition, jazz, classical music, rock, and more, into a deeply personal style. Winner of seven GRAMMY® and four Latin GRAMMY® Awards, Mr. Valdés, received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Latin Academy of Recording Arts & Science last year and was also inducted in the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Saturday, April 29 – The Jayhawks
The Jayhawks emerged from a crowded Minnesota music scene in 1985 and – over the course of four decades, 11 albums and countless memorable live shows – won the hearts of critics and fans of their rootsy, rocking alt-country sound. This performance features tunes from their full career and their most recent studio release XOXO.
Tuesday, May 2 – Martin Sexton & KT Tunstall
Acclaimed singers and songwriters Martin Sexton & KT Tunstall visit SHU Community Theatre, each set to perform their own sets to combine for an amazing night of music. Martin Sexton extends touring in support of his ninth studio release ‘Mixtape of the Open Road.’ Sexton got his start singing in the streets and subways of Boston in the early 90’s. Still fiercely independent and headlining venues from The Fillmore to Carnegie Hall, he has influenced a generation of contemporary artists. Since scoring a worldwide smash with her debut album ‘Eye To The Telescope’ in 2004, which went on to sell over 5 million copies, KT Tunstall has remained at the forefront of UK singer- songwriter talent. Over the next decade, three further critically acclaimed albums followed; ‘Drastic Fantastic,’ ‘Tiger Suit’ and ‘Invisible Empire//Crescent Moon,’ keeping the platinum sales rolling and cementing the Scottish singer-songwriter’s reputation as a major recording talent and a mesmerizing live artist.
Friday, May 5 – Norm Lewis
Norm Lewis is a prolific theatre, film, and television actor known for his rich baritone and charismatic stage presence. Among his many noteworthy performances on stage and screen, Lewis originated the role of King Triton in The Little Mermaid on Broadway and broke down barriers as the first Black actor to play Javert in Les Miserables, as well as the first to perform in the titular role in The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway. Notable screen appearances include a recurring role on Scandal and a memorable turn in Spike Lee’s 2020 drama Da 5 Bloods. In his performance at SHU Community Theatre, expect an evening of song and wit from one of Broadway’s most engaging performers!
