Flying Monkey Celebrates One Year of Rocking NH, Kicks Off Second Season

Flying Monkey Movie House & Performance Center

Published Oct 6, 2011 at 10:00 am (Updated Oct 6, 2011)

 

PLYMOUTH, NH - Fresh off an inaugural year filled with Grammy-winning artists, sold-out shows and a design award, The Flying Monkey Movie House & Performance Center in Plymouth is kicking its second season into high gear with a packed schedule that focuses on bringing world-class acts to the lakes and mountains regions of New Hampshire.

The 450-seat intimate performance venue, which provides dinner and beverage service, has released its second season schedule including performances by folk legend Jonathan Edwards, 80’s icon Howard Jones, nationally-known comedian Bob Marley of Maine and the former Black Crowes front man’s new band Chris Robinson Brotherhood.

“We are very grateful to our patrons and fellow venues in New Hampshire who provided guidance and helped us make our first year a successful one,” said Alex Ray, owner of The Common Man family of restaurants in New Hampshire, of which The Flying Monkey is a member.

Ray purchased the defunct movie theater on Main Street in Plymouth in December of 2009 and renovated what was originally built as a vaudeville theater in the 1920’s into a 450-seat venue with a state-of-the-art sound and lighting system designed by world-renowned acoustic designer Bill Blaine. Keeping a keen eye on preserving the history of the property, Ray revived historical features of the building like the large balcony that had been closed in over the years.

The Flying Monkey celebrated its grand re-opening in the summer of 2010, and enjoyed an exciting and successful first year including more than 100 shows, sell-out crowds and a PLAN NH Merit Award for the revitalization of the Main Street landmark. In its first year, the Monkey played host to Grammy-winning artists Shawn Colvin, Janis Ian, Mavis Staples and the Carolina Chocolate Drops, and music veterans Arlo Guthrie, Judy Collins, Jon Anderson of YES and Marshall Tucker Band brought sold-out shows to the heart of Plymouth. The Monkey was also catapulted into the regional and national media spotlight while hosting the last U.S. showing of a royal exhibit of 14 of Princess Diana’s iconic gowns, and when it served as a remote site for live voter interaction during the CNN/WMUR-TV Republican Presidential Primary Debate this spring.

In keeping with Ray’s desire for community involvement, the Monkey has also been host to local productions of the Nutcracker, a variety of community dance and theatrical presentations, bi-partisan political fundraisers and charity functions. Embracing its history as a premier cinema, The Flying Monkey hosts a monthly Silent Film Series as well as Oscar-winning films, independent features, holiday classics and cult favorites.

Patrons are raving about the variety of shows, dinner theater options and service they receive at The Monkey. “Great shows and sensational food,” said guest Paul Lister of Bethlehem, NH after taking in two performances at the venue. “The Thunderbirds and James Cotton were phenomenal but the friendly staff, intimate setting and great food outshone even the brightest stars. Prices for the entertainment and the meals are incredibly reasonable and your popcorn is to die for!”

Artists and their management teams are also giving accolades to The Monkey’s venue, staff and hospitality to performers. “It’s very rare that our artists will call to rave about a venue,” said talent agent Tim Drake. “Our client Eileen Ivers called to tell us it was ‘the best venue in the country’ and to make sure we booked her there again. That’s a powerful statement.”

The Monkey’s newly-released schedule for this fall includes:

Jonathan Edwards/Lori McKenna: October 7
“Nosferatu” Silent Film Series: October 13
Young Dubliners: October 15
Peter & The Wolf Children’s Theater: October 16
Howard Jones: October 18
Comedian Bob Marley: October 20
Little River Band: October 27
Ian Hunter: November 5
Harry Manx: November 6
Leon Redbone: November 12
Suzy Bogguss: November 17
Chris Robinson Brotherhood: November 18
Leahy Family Christmas: December 1
Chris Smither: December 10

A complete schedule can be found at www.flyingmonkeynh.com and on the Monkey’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/flyingmonkeynh. Patrons can provide input and feedback on shows they’d like to see at the Monkey by taking a short survey at: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/KX2ZCJD.

The Flying Monkey is conveniently located off of interstate 93 and is just over an hour’s drive from Manchester, Portsmouth and Hanover. The Monkey is quickly becoming the desired venue to experience live performances and enjoy a great Common Man-made dinner in an intimate and comfortable setting. The Monkey also offers beer and wine service, free parking and competitive ticket pricing.

Founded in 1971 by owner Alex Ray, the Common Man family is made up of 18 restaurants, two Inns, a Spa and Salon, Company Store and The Flying Monkey Movie House and Performance Center. Common Man locations include Common Man restaurants in Lincoln, Ashland, Concord, Claremont, Merrimack, Windham and Portsmouth; Common Man Inn & Spa, Foster’s Boiler Room, Italian Farmhouse and The Flying Monkey in Plymouth; Common Man Inn & Restaurant in Claremont; Lakehouse Grille, Camp, Lago and Town Docks in Meredith; Route 104 Diner in New Hampton; Tilt’n Diner in Tilton; Airport Diner in Manchester; Common Man Express and the Common Man Company Store, both in Ashland. For more information, visit thecman.com or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thecommonmannh.