2 Original FPAC musicals, Humbug! A Beggar’s Opera and ’Tis the Season!

The Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) presents two original FPAC musicals, Humbug! A Beggar’s Opera and ’Tis the Season!, for the holidays this year.

A family favorite since debuting as part of FPAC’s 2008 season, Humbug! is an original musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol starring the script’s writer, Nick Paone, as Scrooge. With musical hits of every genre and live accompaniment by a 10-piece band of professional musicians, Humbug! transports audiences from Dickensian England to contemporary America as the novel’s characters and storyline are cleverly reimagined with modern setting and dialogue. Newly restaged for THE BLACK BOX, FPAC’s new home and performance venue in downtown Franklin, Humbug! delivers a holiday gift of hilarity with a timely and timeless message.

FPAC's Humbug!

Paone has reinvented the Dickens story for a modern audience, producing satire with updated references to current events and pop culture. As Scrooge embarks on his transformative journey of self-redemption, he faces his nighttime visitors with unexpected twists and hilarious turns along the way. The plotline is supported by an entertaining and accessible score that includes creative treatments of Broadway and pop hits. A talented cast of 40 brings Paone’s fresh interpretation of Dickens’ work to the stage.

’Tis the Season!, an original large cast musical first presented by FPAC in 1995, returns by popular demand to entertain audiences with great merriment, fanfare and fun. The upbeat, jazzy extravaganza features members of the Kenny Hadley Big Band with contemporary arrangements of favorite holiday classics in musical styles ranging from swing, R&B and gospel to rock, pop and Broadway.

The show spotlights over 100 singers and dancers. Musical arrangements include Andy Williams’ It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year and Happy Holiday, songs from several popular television Christmas specials, Quincy Jones’ sensational version of the Hallelujah Chorus, and many surprises. Notes Director Raye Lynn Mercer, “’Tis the Season! is reminiscent of a good old-fashioned Christmas special with great singing, dancing and holiday fun. The show is guaranteed to entertain audiences of all ages.”

• FPAC presents ’Tis the Season! on Saturday, December 20 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, December 21 at 2 p.m. at the Thomas D. Mercer Auditorium, 224 Oak Street, in Franklin. 
• Performances of Humbug! are on December 12 at 7:30 p.m., December 13 at 2:00 and 7:30 p.m., and December 14 at 2 p.m. at THE BLACK BOX, located at 15 West Central Street.

Big Y and Waters Corporation are 2014 FPAC Holiday Performance Sponsors. For more information and tickets to FPAC holiday shows, visit www.fpaconline.com or call (508) 528-3370.