Judy Collins to perform at Newton Theatre

NEWTON — The Newton Theatre will welcome the return of the iconic Judy Collins on Saturday, March 5, at 8 p.m.

Judy Collins has inspired audiences with sublime vocals, boldly vulnerable songwriting, personal life triumphs, and an unyielding commitment to social activism. In the 1960s, she evoked both the idealism and steely determination of a generation united against social and environmental injustices. Five decades later, her luminescent presence shines brightly as new generations are inspired by her incomparable 50-album body of work, and her spiritual discipline to thrive in the music industry for half a century.

The award-winning singer-songwriter is esteemed for her imaginative interpretations of traditional and contemporary folk standards and her own poetically poignant original compositions. Her stunning rendition of Joni Mitchell's “Both Sides Now” from her landmark 1967 album, Wildflowers, has been entered into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Judy’s dreamy and sweetly intimate version of “Send in the Clowns,” a ballad by Stephen Sondheim for Broadway musical A Little Night Music, won Song of the Year at the 1975 Grammy Awards. She’s garnered several top-10 hits, and gold and platinum selling albums. Recently, contemporary and classic artists such as Rufus Wainwright, Shawn Colvin, Dolly Parton, Joan Baez, and Leonard Cohen honored her legacy with the album Born to the Breed: A Tribute to Judy Collins.

Judy began her impressive music career at 13 as a piano prodigy dazzling audiences performing Mozart's “Concerto for Two Pianos,” but the hard-luck tales and rugged sensitivity of folk revival music by artists such as Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger seduced her away from a life as a concert pianist. Her path pointed to a lifelong love affair with the guitar and pursuit of emotional truth in lyrics. The focus and regimented practice of classical music, however, would be a source of strength to her inner core as she navigated the highs and lows of the music business.

In 1961, she released her masterful debut, "A Maid of Constant Sorrow", which featured interpretative works of social poets of the time such as Bob Dylan, Phil Ochs, and Tom Paxton. Around this time, Collins became a tastemaker within the thriving Greenwich Village folk community, and brought other singer-songwriters to a wider audience, including poet/musician Leonard Cohen — and musicians Joni Mitchell and Randy Newman. Throughout the decades she has remained a vital artist, enriching her catalog with critically acclaimed albums while balancing a robust touring schedule.

Collins has released two live CD/DVDs which became PBS specials. The first, Judy Collins Live At The Metropolitan Museum Of Art, was released in 2012 and the second was filmed in Ireland at Dromoland Castle, Live In Ireland. Both won Bronze Medals at the New York Festival International Television & Film Awards in 2013 & 2014, respectively.

Collins has also authored several books. In her most recent, the memoir "Sweet Judy Blue Eyes: My Life in Music", she reaches deeply inside and, with unflinching candor, recalls her turbulent childhood, extraordinary rise to fame, her romance with Stephen Stills, her epic victories over depression and alcoholism, and her redemption through embracing a healthy and stable lifestyle and finding true love with Louis Nelson, her partner of 30 years.

In addition, she remains a social activist, representing UNICEF and numerous other causes. She is the director (along with Jill Godmillow) of an Academy Award-nominated film about "Antonia Brico – Portrait of a Woman", the first woman to conduct major symphonies around the world, and Judy's classical piano teacher when she was young.

Collins, now 76, is as creatively vigorous as ever, writing, touring and nurturing fresh talent. She is a modern day Renaissance woman who is also an accomplished filmmaker, record label head, musical mentor, and an in-demand keynote speaker for mental health and suicide prevention. She continues to create music of hope and healing that lights up the world and speaks to the heart.

Tickets for Judy Collins range from $47.00 to $57.00. Purchase tickets by visiting www.thenewtontheatre.com or contact the Box Office at 973-383-3700.