GREY GARDENS | CELEBRATING 20 YEARS: CHRISTINE EBERSOLE, SCOTT FRANKEL & FRANK DILELLA

Christine Ebersole as Little Edie in Grey Gardens on Broadway. Photo: Joan Marcus

ON BANJO: ALISON BROWN & FRIENDS

Presented by D’Addario & Guild Hall

 Guild Hall and D’Addario welcome Grammy Award-winning banjoist Alison Brown for an evening rooted in American tradition and shaped by global influence. A pioneering artist, Brown has expanded the banjo’s voice far beyond bluegrass, drawing on jazz, folk, Celtic, and international traditions to create music that is both deeply grounded and boldly exploratory.

Joining Brown are acclaimed vocalist and guitarist Michael Daves, whose innovative approach bridges traditional bluegrass and contemporary acoustic music, and fiddler Tatiana Hargreaves, celebrated for her masterful interpretations of old-time, bluegrass, and vernacular string-band traditions. They are joined by members of the Alison Brown Quintet: John Ragusa (flute), Jody Nardone (piano), Garry West (bass), and Bryan Brock (drums).

Through original compositions, reimagined roots repertoire, and spontaneous musical conversation, Brown reveals the banjo as a versatile and boundary-crossing instrument—one capable of connecting styles, stories, and traditions across cultures and generations.

Rush Tickets: A limited number of $25 rush tickets will be on sale for this performance, starting 20 minutes before the program begins, in person only, subject to availability. Customers will be instructed to line up outside no earlier than 45 minutes before the start of the show in order to access rush tickets, which are max 2 per customer. 

 

ROBBY HOFFMAN: LIVE ON TOUR

Spend an evening laughing out loud with Robby Hoffman, the wildly original comedian and Emmy-nominated breakout star of HBO’s Hacks. Known for scene-stealing performances and a voice that’s as bold as it is unpredictable, Hoffman has quickly become one of comedy’s most exciting rising forces.

Fresh off her acclaimed debut Netflix special Wake Up—a no-holds-barred hour of sharp, irreverent stand-up directed by John Mulaney—Hoffman brings her signature blend of fearless storytelling and offbeat perspective to the stage. She can also be seen in HBO’s buzzy new comedy Rooster, continuing a breakout run across television and live performance.

With writing credits on Workin’ Moms and The Chris Gethard Show and a style that turns life’s strangest moments into comedy gold, Hoffman delivers a night that is raw, unpredictable, and relentlessly funny.

KIDFEST: UP IN ARMS—PIRATE SONG

Set sail on the adventure of a lifetime with Pirate Song, a whimsical musical puppet show filled with heart, humor, and discovery. In a world where dreams set sail and magic fills the air, Paulette the Pirate Princess and her faithful dog Waffle embark on a journey around the world in search of something truly special, her very own song.

For generations, Paulette’s family have sung the same old pirate song. But Paulette longs for something more. Determined to discover her own voice, she and Waffle set off on an unforgettable voyage, meeting remarkable friends along the way. A giraffe in Africa shares a new perspective on seeing the world. In Australia, a quirky koala playing the didgeridoo teaches Paulette to celebrate what makes each of us wonderfully different. A wise dragon in Japan reveals how our past can guide our future, while a vibrant toucan in Brazil encourages Paulette to trust her inner spirit.

Through music, laughter, and colorful characters, Paulette discovers that her song may have been with her all along, the song of curiosity, courage, and adventure. With her inner song guiding her, Paulette inspires audiences to celebrate their own unique voice and the beauty of cultures around the world.

Join us out-front at the Phanstiel Plaza for a free workshop before the show!

NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON: STARTALK LIVE!

The cosmos is calling! Join world-renowned astrophysicist and Guild Hall Academy of the Arts Member, Neil deGrasse Tyson for the return of StarTalk Live! at Guild Hall—an unforgettable evening where science meets comedy, curiosity, and cosmic discovery.

Prepare for an exhilarating, mind-expanding journey as Dr. Tyson, alongside a panel of expert guests and hilarious comedians, explores the mysteries of the universe, the latest scientific breakthroughs, and the biggest questions about our place in the cosmos. With StarTalk’s signature blend of intelligence and humor, this live show promises to be as entertaining as it is enlightening.

Special Guests to be announced.

Purchase the limited “premium” ticket for an intimate post-program star gazing event with Dr. Tyson.

G.E. SMITH’S PORTRAITS: PATTY SMYTH WITH SPECIAL GUEST JOHN MCENROE

Join us for a night of extraordinary music and storytelling with G.E. SmithPatty Smyth, and special guest John McEnroe as part of the 2026 G.E. Smith’s PORTRAITS series.

The evening brings together G.E. Smith—the masterful guitarist and bandleader known for his work with Bob Dylan, Hall & Oates, and Saturday Night Live—with rock legend Patty Smyth, the Grammy-nominated voice behind Scandal’s hit “The Warrior” and the classic duet “Sometimes Love Just Ain’t Enough.” They’ll be joined by tennis icon and lifelong music devotee, John McEnroe, whose passion for rock and blues has led to memorable musical collaborations and performances.

Together, they will share an engaging blend of songs, spontaneous performances, and stories from their remarkable careers in music and beyond.

PORTRAITS, created by Taylor Barton & G.E. Smith, is an intimate concert series featuring in-depth musical conversations that reveal the influences, artistry, and experiences behind today’s most compelling performers.

KIDFEST: SONIA DE LOS SANTOS

Join Sonia De Los Santos for a joyful, high-energy family concert filled with music, storytelling, and audience participation.

Born in Monterrey, Mexico and now based in New York, Sonia creates vibrant, bilingual performances that get audiences singing, clapping, and dancing along. Blending Latin American rhythms with North American folk, her songs celebrate friendship, nature, and her experiences growing up in Mexico and making a home in the United States. Sung in both English and Spanish, her music invites children and adults alike to connect across cultures in a fun, welcoming environment.

A former member of the Grammy Award–winning group Dan Zanes and Friends, Sonia brings warmth, humor, and heart to every performance—creating an unforgettable shared experience for the whole family. 


Join us out-front at the Phanstiel Plaza for an arts & crafts workshop with our friends at CMEE before the show!

AN EVENING WITH FRAN LEBOWITZ

THIS PROGRAM IS SOLD OUT. CLICK THE “SOLD OUT” BUTTON TO ADD YOURSELF TO THE WAITING LIST.

Fran Lebowitz—author, satirist, and one of today’s most distinctive cultural voices—comes to Guild Hall for an evening of unfiltered conversation. Rising to prominence with her bestselling essay collections Metropolitan Life and Social Studies, Lebowitz has become a singular figure in American letters and pop culture, known for her sharp intellect, dry humor, and unmistakable style. She is widely recognized for her longstanding commentary on New York City life and her recent appearance in Martin Scorsese’s documentary series Pretend It’s a City.

In this unscripted exchange, Lebowitz offers biting insights on culture, politics, media, and the peculiarities of modern living. Blending comedy with keen social critique, she delivers an evening that is as thought-provoking as it is entertaining—driven by her signature wit and the force of her personality.

JOHN WATERS: GOING TO EXTREMES

No matter what your pubic-politics are these days, you have to admit it’s time for everybody to go to extremes.

John Waters is back on the road with a whole new fast-moving crackpot comedy show that will beg the authorities to drop a net on both him and his rabidly insane audience. He knows his deviously demented fans will fight back with a limp-wrist fist.

He’s dressed to thrill and ready to rant about pro-punk conversion therapy, right-wing female-female impersonators, extreme amusement parks, even prank guerrilla placement of phony incendiary book titles in libraries that recently banned gay children’s classics. Yessir, the Duke of Dirt has reckless eyeballs and he’s lookin’ for you, lunatics!

Let’s all drill a hole in our heads so we’re high forever and crash the Kennedy Center! His filth followers don’t get off, they get on you and scream, “Go! Go! Go to the John Waters show!”

Going to Extremes. It’ll make you scream!

MARC SHAIMAN: NEVER MIND THE HAPPY

Featuring Susan Stroman & Robyn Hurder

Tony, Grammy, and Emmy Award–winning composer and lyricist Marc Shaiman comes to Guild Hall to celebrate his New York Times bestselling memoir, Never Mind the Happy: Showbiz Stories from a Sore Winner. Known for his acclaimed work across Broadway, film, and television—including HairsprayMary Poppins Returns, and numerous other beloved productions—Shaiman reflects on a remarkable five-decade career defined by collaboration, creativity, and resilience.

In conversation with Tony Award–winning director and choreographer Susan Stroman, Shaiman offers an intimate look at the artists, influences, and experiences that have shaped his singular voice. By turns candid, humorous, and deeply personal, the evening draws from the memoir while exploring the triumphs, challenges, and unforgettable moments behind a life in show business.

The event also features a special performance by Tony Award nominee Robyn Hurder. Hurder, Stroman, and Shaiman most recently collaborated on Broadway’s SMASH, bringing together three of musical theater’s most celebrated talents. Together, they create an evening of conversation, storytelling, and song that celebrates the enduring power of collaboration and the art of making great entertainment.

The evening concludes with a surprise musical finale featuring students from South Fork Performing Arts, joining Shaiman and guests onstage for a joyful celebration of the next generation of performers and the enduring magic of musical theater.

A book signing with Marc Shaiman will follow the program in the lobby, and copies of Never Mind the Happy will be available for purchase on site.

Rush Tickets: A limited number of $25 rush tickets will be on sale for this performance, starting 20 minutes before the program begins, in person only, subject to availability. Customers will be instructed to line up outside no earlier than 45 minutes before the start of the show in order to access rush tickets, which are max 2 per customer. Seating assignments are at the discretion of the box office.

Listen to Marc’s interview with Gianna Volpe on NPR’s Heart of the East End.

 

GREY GARDENS | CELEBRATING 20 YEARS: CHRISTINE EBERSOLE, SCOTT FRANKEL & FRANK DILELLA

Celebrate the 20th anniversary of the musical Grey Gardens with a special evening featuring two-time Tony Award–winner Christine Ebersole and composer Scott Frankel, hosted by Emmy Award–winning journalist Frank DiLella.

For this anniversary program, Ebersole revisits her Tony Award -winning performance alongside the musical’s composer, Scott Frankel. Together they will share stories and musical selections from the acclaimed score that helped define one of the most distinctive musicals of the 21st century.

Hosted by NY1’s Frank DiLella and directed by  Marc Tumminelli, the evening combines performance, conversation, and film screenings in celebration of Grey Gardens and the artists whose work continues to resonate with audiences today.