Guild Hall’s summer season will kick into high gear this weekend, starting with an evening of music and conversation with Jason Robert Brown, a Tony Award-winning composer; Betsy Wolfe, a Tony-nominated vocalist, and Frank DiLella, an Emmy Award-winning journalist, on Saturday at 8 p.m.
Mr. Brown, a composer, lyricist, conductor, arranger, director, and performer, is known for his scores for such musicals as “The Last Five Years,” his song cycle “Songs for a New World,” and “Parade,” winner of the 1999 Tony for best score and the 2023 Tony for best revival of a musical. Other noteworthy scores include “The Bridges of Madison County,” “Honeymoon in Vegas,” and Billy Crystal’s “Mr. Saturday Night.” Mr. Brown will perform selections from his work and share insights into his creative process.
Slated to star as Joy in the musical of the same name opening on Broadway this summer, Ms. Wolfe recently wrapped her tenure with the hit musical “& Juliet,” for which her performance as Anne Hathaway earned her a Tony nomination. Other credits include “Bullets Over Broadway” and “The Mystery of Edwin Drood” on Broadway, and the Off Broadway revival of Mr. Brown’s “The Last Five Years.”
As the host of “On Stage” on Spectrum News NY1, Mr. DiLella has established himself as an important voice in New York City’s arts and entertainment scene. He has interviewed such luminaries as Tom Hanks, Vanessa Redgrave, Liza Minnelli, Elton John, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Jane Fonda, to name a few.
Tickets range from $60 to $125, $54 to $112.50 for members.
Guild Hall’s garden will be alive with a different kind of music on Sunday from 8 to 11 p.m., but it won’t annoy the neighbors. A Silent Disco Dance Party will feature three different channels, programmed by D.J. Mister Lama (Carlos Lama), ZiggaSun (Almond Zigmund), and Sits-a-Lot (Amy Kirwin).
Cocktails and snacks will be available for purchase from Louise and Howie’s Coffee Bar in the lobby. Tickets are $15.
In connection with its current exhibition, “Functional Relationships: Artist-Made Furniture,” Guild Hall will host a conversation between Robert Wilson, the artist, director, designer, and founder of the Watermill Center, and Adrian Madlener, a design writer and curator, next Thursday at 7 p.m.
The two will discuss “Chairs,” Mr. Wilson’s new book, in which he brings his perspective to the design and symbolism of chairs, objects with more meaning than we often realize. The book, edited by Owen Laub with photographs by Martien Mulder, features a curated selection of chairs created by Mr. Wilson, exploring their sculptural presence and theatrical potential. It also includes contributions from leading artists, designers, and scholars
Copies of “Chairs” will be available for purchase, and a book signing will follow the discussion. Tickets are $25, $22.50 for members.
