Hopewell Theater is reopening on September 15 with a robust fall schedule.
Providing a stage for emerging and established local talent has always been central to HT’s mission, and this fall season’s slate of programs will be a veritable showcase for just that. This historic indie venue will spotlight talent here at home and support the local creative economy with a host of talent from musicians to playwrights to local chefs.
Here’s what’s local this fall:
Your Stage at Any Stage: Open Mic Hosted by Michelle Klein
Thursday, September 15 and Wednesday, December 14
During this popular and locally curated performance showcase, Hopewell Theater’s stage is yours! In addition to spotlighting local musicians, performers, comedians, storytellers, poets, and more, the event is hosted by Michelle Klein of The Peasant Grill in Hopewell, NJ.
Michelle is a songstress and storyteller herself, and a member of the band, Mine Road. Mine Road was born thanks to the area’s vibrant local musical network. The group includes regional artists Michelle Klein, Bill Flemer, John Timpane, Guy DeRosa, Chuggy Carter, and James Popik.
Drawing from various musical backgrounds and influences, the band enjoyed an immediate synergy, developing a repertoire of standards, blues, and torch songs with the occasional pop tune thrown into the mix. Mine Road performs as part of every Your Stage event!
Helen O’Shea and James Popik Opening for Karan Casey
Friday, September 16
Irish folk artist Karan Casey has a career spanning over 25 years and has appeared on more than 50 albums total. Opening for her show are local treasures Helen O’Shea and James Popik.
Helen O’Shea is an Irish-born, Princeton-based singer, songwriter, recording artist, and show producer. Helen leads two bands in NJ – Shenanigans and The Shanakees (Gaelic word for “storyteller”) – in the style of “AmeriCeltiCana,” Americana with a Celtic twist!
Guitarist James Popik brings a unique touch and repertoire to his music. From Acoustic Americana, Classical Brazilian music, and American Jazz masters to reworked rock anthems, all played on various acoustic instruments, James has forged a unique voice.
Supper Club: “Jazz Fest: A New Orleans Story” with Local Chef Ian Knauer
Tuesday, September 20
Jazz Fest: A New Orleans Story weaves together live performances and interviews from the 50th anniversary of the iconic festival, featuring some of the biggest names in the music industry, along with a wealth of archival documentary footage from the past half century.
Patrons can choose the “Supper Club” ticket option to enjoy a chef-inspired dish prepared by Chef Ian Knauer. The menu will include the Cajun classic red beans and rice with Andouille sausage, Creole coleslaw, and a hearty wedge of Louisiana-style cornbread.
Ian Knauer is a cook, author, and TV host who has cooked and eaten all around the world. His cookbooks include The Farm Rustic Recipes for a Year of Incredible Food and The Farm Cooking School. He founded The Farm Cooking School in 2013 and currently writes a food column for The Wall St. Journal. He lives on his family’s centuries-old Pennsylvania farm.
Nate Walker Opening for The RT’s
Thursday, September 22
Brooklyn-based five-piece band, The RT’s, are known for their eclectic take on rock n’ roll, which mixes punk rock energy, horn drenched soul, and precise musicianship with a lighthearted, but sincere delivery.
Opening for The RT’s is Nate Walker, a performing artist, songwriter, and producer who writes and records music in his studio space in Frenchtown, NJ.
Over the years, he has opened for Ben Folds, Sonic Youth, Don McLean, and Butch Walker among many others. He has been coast to coast as a solo artist, a lead singer, and a tour manager for national acts.
Parklet Pop-Up: Cruise Night with Nate Walker
Friday, September 30
Nate Walker features again at HT’s free, outdoor live music pop-up in front of 7 W. Broad St. (formerly The Brothers Moon restaurant).
Passersby can enjoy Nate’s acoustic live music during Hopewell’s “Cruise Night” traditional event, a family friendly car show featuring various forms of transportation.
The pop-up will feature bistro seating and delicious, local ice cream treats for sale from Owowcow Creamery, along with popular theater concessions.
Friday, October 21
Somebody’s Daughter is a one woman show based on Zara Phillip’s book of the same title. It features live music accompaniment performed by folk-rock legend Richard Thompson.
Adopted as a baby in the 1960s, becoming a backing vocalist to well known bands in the 80s, and getting sober at 22, Zara takes us on her journey to uncover the truth about her history. The story is told with humor and no-holds-barred honesty about the complexity of having four parents, becoming a mother, and learning to navigate it all.
Zara currently resides in New Jersey, and among her various accomplishments, her adoption documentary Roots: Unknown won “Best Homegrown Documentary” at the Garden State Film Festival in NJ.
Christine Havrilla & Gypsy Fuzz
Friday, October 28
Christine Havrilla is from our neighboring state of Pennsylvania. This award-winning Philadelphia native has supported acts like Shawn Colvin, KT Tunstall, and Brandi Carlile, touring nationally with the support of her band, Gypsy Fuzz.
Christine utilizes the soft gritty texture of her vocals to express warmth and honesty listeners quickly embrace as well as her aggressive, raw, trash-style guitar playing and looping.
Christine Havrilla and Gypsy Fuzz have been described as “a blend of 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s rock delivered by the modern singer/songwriter.” They call their own music “Neofunkadelicfolkpoptwangrock.”
Tickets for all theater events can be purchased at the box office, by phone at (609) 466-1964, or on our website.
You can also find us at local events like the upcoming Hopewell Harvest Fair on September 17, where we will be holding giveaways and activities.
