Image Credit: Shervin Lainez

ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, N.Y.— Singer/songwriter Amanda Palmer and her new band, The Grand Theft Orchestra, will perform at Bard’s Fisher Center for the Performing Arts on Wednesday, September 5, and Thursday, September 6 at 7:30 p.m. Palmer is launching the international tour of her first new studio album in four years, Theatre is Evil with these two public concerts in conjunction with the Grand Theft Orchestra, featuring Michael McQuilken, Chad Raines, and Jherek Bischoff, along with special guest performers. The concert will be held in LUMA Theater, and admission is $35. Tickets can be ordered online at fishercenter.bard.edu or by calling the box office at 845-758-7900. 

The album, Theatre Is Evil, showcases Amanda’s powerful vocals and talented songwriting in ways that may surprise even her most ardent fans. From tauntingly playful tunes to ballads that tug at the heartstrings, the album offers a collection of sounds and rhythms heavily influenced by the music Palmer grew up listening to—most notably ’80s synth rock and Brit Pop.

Palmer is an internationally acclaimed musician, performer, and songwriter. During her Live Arts Bard residency in September 2012, Palmer and the Grand Theft Orchestra will develop their new stage show, which will then tour internationally. They are filming a music video on campus and will give concerts at the Fisher Center to launch Palmer’s new album. Bard student bands will open each concert, and many students will be involved in the residency as interns, technicians, and actors.  

Prior to the performance on Wednesday,  September 5, award-winning author Neil Gaiman will read his new, not-yet-published story at 6 p.m. in the Fisher Center’s Sosnoff Theater. The reading is free and open to the public, and seating is on a first come, first served basis.

Palmer and her husband, the novelist Neil Gaiman, will return to Bard in April 2013 to give another concert, “The Neil and Amanda Show.” In September 2013, Palmer will spend three more weeks at Bard developing a new musical with Bard students.

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