Needham Bank Great Hall Concert Series

10/17/2025

Orleans, known for their top-ten hit singles “Dance with Me”, “Still the One”, and “Love Takes Time”, will be on the Needham Town Hall stage on November 1st at 7:30pm.

Praised by peers for their songwriting skills, instrumental prowess, and classic trademark harmonies, Orleans’ music resonates with fans of all ages thanks to continued airplay on classic rock radio, television, film, and streaming services. The band has produced a body of work spanning 17 albums and several DVDs, and they continue to be in demand for live shows, as they have been for more than five decades. Orleans co-founder Lance Hoppen and longtime band-mate Lane Hoppen, along with Nashville veterans Brady Spencer, Tony Hooper, and Tom Lane, will faithfully deliver the musical elements fans have come to expect from this classic pop/rock act.

Anyone who loves this band is encouraged to purchase tickets immediately, as the concert is almost sold out!
https://tinyurl.com/yrcn2u53

World-Class Music In Your Backyard!

http://greathallperformance.org

09/30/2025

What a wonderful opening to our 12th season by Seth Rudetsky & Andrea McArdle on September 20th! The Needham Bank Great Hall Concert Series is grateful for all of its sponsors who make it possible to offer outstanding and affordable concerts with renowned, world-class artists from pop, folk, classical, and jazz genres. Our Title Sponsor is Needham Bank, and the Corporate Sponsors are Louise Condon Realty, Plum Street Advisors, and NEC Solar, along with 13 Partner Sponsors and 4 Enthusiast Sponsors.

By becoming a sponsor, you can demonstrate your support for the Needham community and the Performing Arts. There are still sponsorship opportunities in the 2025/2026 season, including becoming the Presenting Sponsor for one of our upcoming concerts (Orleans - November 1st, Cantata Singers - March 14th, and Eileen Ivers - May 2nd). For more information, go to the website or email [email protected] .

World-Class Music In Your Backyard!

http://greathallperformance.org

09/24/2025

For their closing number, Seth Rudetsky and Andrea McArdle invited the 'Annies and Orphans' from the audience who are in the upcoming performance of the Needham Community Theatre's production of 'Annie' and Wild Ambrose Handel, who recently played the title role at another venue, to sing "Tomorrow". The girls were completely in awe and sang their hearts out, and the audience was thrilled!

The photograph by Chris Tess and this video clip recorded by Gail Lustig, shows them singing with the original Annie.
https://youtu.be/NpR6UOQiNCQ?si=mi4sBCa056T4_Pdu

World-Class Music In Your Backyard!

http://greathallperformance.org

09/23/2025

The first performance in the 2025/2026 season of the Needham Bank Great Hall Concert Series was fantastic! Seth Rudetsky's piano playing and Andrea McArdle's beautiful voice delighted the audience, who were also enthralled with behind-the-scenes stories of Broadway and its stars.

World-Class Music In Your Backyard!

http://greathallperformance.org

09/22/2025

It was an amazing night of music on Saturday in Needham!

Singers from the Needham High School Chorale – Nadia Tess, Mia Allen, Simi Basak, Kiersten Blume, Katherine Memory, and Amelia Broderick – accompanied by Henry Buck and directed by Dr. Jonathan VanderWould, opened for Seth Rudetsky & Andrea McArdle. They were so excited to meet these Broadway stars backstage, who praised their performance.

Video taken by Chris Tess captured them singing "Opening Up" from 'Waitress' and "Mama Who Bore Me" from 'Spring Awakening'.
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/19rcuUaiwq/?mibextid=wwXIfr

World-Class Music In Your Backyard!

http://greathallperformance.org

09/20/2025

Select singers from the Needham High School Chorale, accompanied by Henry Buck and directed by Dr. Jonathan VanderWould will open for Seth Rudetsky & Andrea McArdle tonight. Unbelievably talented group!

09/20/2025

Seth Rudetsky & Andrea McArdle are at Needham Town Hall and they sound great! It’s going to be an exciting start to the 2025/2026 season of the Needham Bank Great Hall Concert Series.

09/20/2025

On their way to Needham!

Opposite aisle seats, on our way to Boston for our Needham show tonight! ... ...

Then I'm back to NYC Sunday to stop by the Broadway Flea Market (GO!!) and then begin performances for Sunday nite!

09/20/2025

Seth Rudetsky & Andrea McArdle are opening the 12th Season of the Needham Bank Great Hall Concert Series in a sold out performance tonight!

Reminder that new this season, all concerts will start at 7:30pm.

World-Class Music In Your Backyard!

http://greathallperformance.org

09/19/2025

Tomorrow, tomorrow… Seth Rudetsky and Andrea McArdle are coming to Needham!

Tickets are sold out. Season Subscriptions held at Will Call will be available at the Box Office, starting at 6pm.

The doors to Powers Hall will open at 6:45pm, and the concert will begin at 7:30pm. Other than the first 3 rows reserved for Sponsors, it is open seating.

World-Class Music In Your Backyard!

http://greathallperformance.org

09/18/2025

The opening act for Seth Rudetsky & Andrea McArdle are select singers from the Needham High School Chorale – Nadia Tess (12), Mia Allen (12), Simi Basak (12), Kiersten Blume (12), Katherine Memory (11), and Amelia Broderick (11). They will be performing the Broadway tunes "Opening Up" from 'Waitress' and "Mama Who Bore Me" from 'Spring Awakening'. All of these students are also in the upcoming performance of 'Chicago', with Needham High School's Students Acting to Make a Diference (SAMD), from October 24-26.

The Needham High School Chorale is an auditioned ensemble under the direction of Dr. Jonathan VanderWoude. They frequently earn gold medals at the Massachusetts Instrumental and Choral Conductors Association (MICCA) choral festival. Additionally, last Spring, Chorale toured Florence and Rome with the Needham High School Bands, Strings, and Choirs.

The Great Hall Performance Foundation, Inc. supports the excellent music programs in the Needham Public Schools, including showcasing student musicians and making an annual donation to the Needham Fine and Performing Arts Department.

World-Class Music In Your Backyard!

http://greathallperformance.org

09/17/2025

There is so much buzz about Seth Rudetsky & Andrea McArdle opening the 12th season of the Needham Bank Great Hall Concert Series! Their performance is sold out.

NiteLife Exchange published 'Interview: Andrea McArdle and Seth Rudetsky, Headed for The Great Hall, Needham, MA on September 20' by John Amodeo that gives some hints on what the audience can expect:
“Rudetsky’s interview format focuses on the Broadway and musical theater careers of his guests, and he draws out some juicy backstage stories..."
“Rudetsky elaborates, “The shows I do on my cruises are like the one I’ll do in Needham. I make my stars sing their signature songs. Instead of them doing patter, I ask them questions, and the singer doesn’t know questions in advance.””
“That wouldn’t phase McArdle who is an old pro at ad-libing on stage. “You get good on your feet when you do this a lot,” claims McArdle."
"The connection with the audience is everything for me. Unless you are sharing or taking them somewhere emotionally, it’s not worth doing.””
https://nitelifeexchange.com/interview-andrea-mcardle-and-seth-rudetsky-headed-for-the-great-hall-needham-ma-on-september-20/

The other concerts in this 2025/2026 season may also sell out, so don't miss your opportunity to see:
• Orleans – November 1, 2025
• Cantata Singers – March 14, 2026
• Eileen Ivers – May 2, 2026
Tickets can be purchased at https://tinyurl.com/y7cwwzav .

World-Class Music In Your Backyard!

http://greathallperformance.org

By John Amodeo***“Bus drivers would stop to let us cross the street because they knew me, and it hit me that we were a big huge deal,” marvels Andrea McArdle, who became an overnight sensation [...]