There is no slow season on the stage of Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center. November and December bring a bevy of shows to fill your ears with acoustic excellence and side-splitting laughs. From strumming to stand-up, WHBPAC’s upcoming shows are part of the rich tradition of WHBPAC’s commitment to entertaining and engaging the East End.
They also got some great news recently: the New York State Council on the Arts awarded the theater a $6 million grant to add much-needed extra seating, with the planned upgrade adding more than a hundred seats to their current capacity of 425. To further accommodate the extra theater guests, new first-floor bathrooms are planned as well and an expansion of the stage, the addition of classrooms to augment their work with local students, an overhaul of rehearsal spaces and other backstage areas, as well as a rooftop community and event space.
Meanwhile, autumn is awash with great shows — here’s what’s on deck:
Jessica Kirson, Saturday, Nov. 7, 8 p.m.
Comedian Jessica Kirson, recently seen on Hulu with her special “I’m the Man” and the producer of “Hysterical,” a feature-length documentary on female comedians, uses her spirited comedic shows to span generations, mining for laughs in places that tickle everyone’s funny bones. Seen on shows such as Crashing, Kevin Can Wait The View and The Tonight Show, as well as her stints as resident prank caller on The Howard Stern Show, it’s a night that promises to be a wild, hilarious ride. Tickets are $55 to $69 and you can get yours here.
The Daniel Lanois Trio, Saturday, Nov. 13, 8 p.m.
One of the most influential musical talents today, seven-time Grammy-winning producer, songwriter and solo artist Daniel Lanois has worked with the likes of Emmylou Harris, U2, Peter Gabriel and the one and only Bob Dylan, bringing his artistry and ear for layered sounds and acoustic purity to the stage here. Tickets are $49 to $64 and can be purchased here.
Melodies and Memories, Sunday, Nov. 22, 3 p.m.
There’s nothing like a song to bring back memories of special times in one’s life. The Boomer generation may well have been up front and center to some of the most pivotal music of modern times; join the 65-plus singing senior students of WHBPAC as they take the stage to perform classic songs that celebrate memories and lessons in life. The performance is free, but reserving your seat is key — you can do so here.
Anthony Rodia, Friday, Dec. 4 and Saturday, Dec. 5, 8 p.m.
Two nights of laughter will be brought to WHBPAC’s stage by Italian-American comedian Anthony Rodia, who’s making his rounds across the U.S. for his “Insanely Funny Tour.” With humor based on his keen observational, very relatable storytelling, Rodia’s tales of growing up Italian brings one of the best tools of comedy to the stage: family dynamics. Tickets range from $64 to $92; nab yours here.
The Nutcracker, Saturday, Dec. 12 and Sunday, Dec. 13, noon and 5 p.m. both days
Bask in the confectionary winter wonderland of Sugar Plum Fairies, Mother Ginger and of course the edge-of-your-seat battle between the Nutcracker and the Mouse King. The classic Tchaikovsky score based on the 1816 E.T.A. Hoffman fairytale will be performed by the Peconic Ballet Theatre in four performances — catch the holiday magic by grabbing your tickets here.
