Billy Porter concert to kick off East Hampton's Guild Hall reopening
Billy Porter's July 12 concert will be preceded by a red carpet and followed by a cocktail reception. Credit: Getty Images for TIME / Dimitrios Kambouris
The theater at East Hampton's Guild Hall is about to reopen in July in style with some help from larger-than-life performer Billy Porter.
After two years of renovations, the revamped theater will kick off its new season on July 12 with a benefit concert headlined by the Tony-, Emmy- and Grammy-winning star of Broadway's "Kinky Boots" and the FX series "Pose." Guests are encouraged to dress up for the red carpet that will be rolled out for the event. A cocktail reception with Porter will follow the concert.
Among the many enhancements that have been made to the theater are wider seats with greater row-to-row depth, a steeper rake for improved sightlines, an improved audio system, advanced lighting and video systems, and a remote-controlled camera system for livestreaming and recording. Other upcoming shows include a performance by the Branford Marsalis Quartet (July 17), Rufus Wainwright in concert (Sept. 1), Arturo O’Farrill and the Latin Jazz Ensemble (Sept. 14) and "An Evening With David Sedaris" (Oct. 5).
In addition, the venue will host several conversations with notable figures in various fields, including filmmaker Julian Schnabel (Aug. 3); chefs and TV personalities Giada de Laurentiis (Aug. 4) and Marcus Samuelsson (Aug. 25); and astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson (Aug. 18).
For the full lineup and to reserve tickets, go to guildhall.org.
