The landmark 180-seat Hopewell Theater re-opened in September, 2017, after an extensive renovation, and over the past year it has succeeded in becoming the area’s most intimate dine-in arts venue, with selectively eclectic live music, films, talks, and gourmet pop-up supper clubs. Hopewell Theater recently celebrated its one-year anniversary with a concert featuring Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Paul Muldoon and Rogue Oliphant.
The theater’s exciting lineup of fall musical performances includes Freedy Johnston 9/22; The Winterpills 10/6; Martin Hayes Quartet 10/12; Rio Mira 10/18; Campbell Brothers 10/27; Dar Williams 11/1; Johnny Irion 11/10; Heather Maloney 11/16; Stephane Wrembel 11/30; Band of Changes 12/8; and Jill Souble 12/22.
Over the past year, Hopewell Theater has made its mark as a deluxe showcase for the arts, presenting a roster of live music from nationally known folk, rock, and jazz groups as well as locally loved smaller acts. HT has also featured the best in indie cinema, some accompanied by live music, talks, or meet-the-filmmaker events. Starting with opening night in 2017, featuring a sold-out performance by Bovine Social Club, the theater has gradually added to its entertainment offerings with pop-up supper clubs catered by beloved restaurants like the Peasant Grill and Siam Restaurant.
“In just one year we have accomplished our mission of bringing a wide range of artists and audiences to our inviting sanctuary to enjoy the arts,” says Sara Scully, executive director, Hopewell Theater. “The theater is a welcoming place to experience unique programming, and we have formed partnerships with the area makers to support local arts, commerce and community.”
The theater looks forward in 2018-’19 to expanding its live theater with a roster of comedy shows from stand-up to storytelling nights. Additionally Hopewell Theater will be offering live gypsy jazz brunches with Max Hansen catering on Sundays, and family film matinees as well as Crybaby matinees for moms and babies/toddlers. The theater will also celebrate Halloween with a week of frightening films.
Among the upcoming comedy shows are: The Last of the Boomers 9/29; Mike Dugan “Men Fake Foreplay” one-man show 10/ 20; and America’s Got Talent Julia Scotti stand-up comedy 11/23. Storytelling “This Really Happened” will take place on 10/5 and 11/2.
Infants, children, and their families are invited to Crybaby Matinees on 9/20, The Triplets of Belleville; The Land Before Time on 11/18, and March of the Penguins on 11/15. For older children, Family Matinees will screen Pee Wee’s Big Adventure on 9/29; Ghostbusters on 10/27, and The Goonies on 11/24.
Hopewell Theater was one of the outstanding projects recently honored with a New Good Neighbor Award from the New Jersey Business and Industry Association for improving New Jersey’s economy and landscape. The awards recognize the visionary architects, builders and financing professionals who turned exciting ideas into reality.
Hopewell Theater, 5 South Greenwood Avenue, Hopewell. www.HopewellTheater.com.
