LYNN — The revival of Lynn Auditorium began in 2006, when the Boston Pops headlined a grand-opening celebration on Oct. 1 that was quickly followed by shows by Peter, Paul and Mary and the Vienna Choir Boys.
Flash forward to 2019, and the city’s main entertainment venue is winding down its most successful year yet.
“We presented 80 shows and more than 100 events this year,” said James Marsh, Community Development director and the auditorium’s executive director. “And 2020 is shaping up to be even busier.”
Get the Led Out, the acclaimed American Led Zeppelin outfit, kicks off the 2020 season Jan. 10. This is their ninth time in Lynn, and previous shows sold out quickly. Beach Boys co-founder Brian Wilson returns to the Auditorium Jan. 24 to perform his greatest hits. Mike Love’s version of the band presents a freewheeling version of the band’s best-known songs March 28. The rockin’ double bill of Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes and John Cafferty & the Beaver Brown Band is on tap for Feb. 22.
Early next month, Marsh and Henry Ryan, production manager/co-booking agent, will attend a presenters conference at the Hilton hotel in New York City, where they will meet with dozens of promoters and entertainment agents and work toward finalizing much of the 2020 lineup.
Relationships formed there have helped land such musical biggies as Bad Company, Billy Idol, Cheap Trick, Kool & the Gang, and Bobby Brown, all of whom performed at the 2000-seat venue this year.
“The city comes alive on the night of a show,” said Ryan. Anyone who has attended a show at the Auditorium knows that area restaurants are filled to overflowing on show nights, bringing many music fans to Lynn for the first time.
There’s more to the schedule than classic rock, though. Family shows, movies and appearances by YouTube/TV/podcast stars have also been a hit with fans.
The Popovich Pet Comedy Theatre brings a Russian circus atmosphere to the Auditorium Jan. 19. And the Baby Shark phenomenon will be in full force May 22. Nearly sold out is the April 4 appearance of Tiny Meat Gang (Kody Ko and Noel Miller), which is reputedly a hit with the college-age crowd.
Chevy Chase will be in the house during the March 29 screening of “National Lampoon Vacation,” which will feature a live moderated conversation and audience Q&A.
Feedback was positive on this year’s Boston Comedy Showcase and Marsh would like to schedule more comedy shows. Aries Spears, best known for Fox’s sketch comedy series MADtv, plays Jan. 11, and Howard Stern sidekick Artie Lange will crack wise on March 7.
“It’s very important to also do smaller shows for local performers and non-profits,” said Marsh. A “Rocky Horror Picture Show” collaboration with the Arts After Hours theater company was a 2019 success. Raw Art Works film school screened its student films to a supportive audience this year, and filmmaker Midge Costin, who has strong ties to the city, screened her much-praised “Making Waves: The Art of Cinematic Sound” documentary at the Auditorium a few days before it received recognition at the Academy Awards.
On Jan. 17, “Tony Conigliaro The Documentary,” a heartfelt look at the life and times of the late local Red Sox star, will make its world premiere on the auditorium’s big movie screen. Lynn musician Brian Maes will bring his The Who cover band 5:15 at a date to be announced, and Marsh said that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
Next December, for the seventh consecutive year, the non-profit Greater Salem Ballet Company will present “The Nutcracker” on the Auditorium stage. “We love it. Jamie Marsh and his staff make it so easy for us,” said Seanna Chmura, artistic director. “Our students dance on a real stage with professional dancers. The kids work hard for three months getting ready for the show. It’s a highlight of our year.”
Marsh said his hardworking “team” deserves much of the credit for the venue’s success. “Joanna Mills (box office manager), Anne Marie Leonard (house manager), all the ushers, everyone. They make sure customers have a good experience when they come to a show at the Auditorium.”
Marsh said he’s not a music junkie, like Mayor Thomas M. McGee and others in City Hall, but he admits he was a bit awestruck a few times this year.
“I’m a big fan of George Winston, who played here in November. He wanted to practice from 1 a.m. to 3 a.m. the day of the show. So, I met him at the back door and let him in. He drove himself here in a rented Toyota. We talked for about an hour, and I left. He called my cell a short time later. ‘Jamie, It’s George. The lights went out.’ The batteries powering the lights had died; I got them working and he got back to practicing. That was so cool.”
Marsh and Ryan picked up Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell, co-founders of the band America, at the airport. “They are so personable and nice. They enjoy playing here and always have great things to say about the Lynn audiences and how our staff makes them feel welcome,” said Marsh. Another unexpected memorable moment: using a crowbar to free the bass player of Kool & the Gang who had gotten locked in his dressing room.
For more information, go to www.lynnauditorium,com.
