Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
Monday, February 19, 2024
Tarzan, the Broadway musical, scheduled by FPAC for March 8-17
Monday, February 5, 2024
FPAC to present re-imagined Tarzan Starring Broadway’s Original Tarzan Josh Strickland
The Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) will continue their 2023-24 season with a reimagined immersive production of Tarzan the Broadway musical starring Broadway’s original Tarzan Josh Strickland March 8-17 at THE BLACK BOX in Franklin, MA. The flexible theater space will be transformed into a multi-stage rock concert centering the iconic Phil Collins music, while telling the classic story by blending Broadway and concert experience.
Conceptualized and directed by Raye Lynn Mercer and Ali Funkhouser, the show will feature choreography by Broadway’s Clay Rice-Thomson (Moulin Rouge!, KING KONG, Newsies, Matilda) and music direction by Hallie Wetzell. Based on Disney's epic animated musical adventure and Edgar Rice Burrough's Tarzan of the Apes, Tarzan features heart-pumping music by rock legend, Phil Collins, and a book by Tony Award-winning playwright, David Henry Hwang. High-flying excitement and hits, like the Academy Award winning "You'll Be in My Heart," as well as "Son of Man," and "Two Worlds," make Tarzan an unforgettable theatrical experience. Further casting will be announced soon.
In 2006, Josh Strickland created the leading role of Tarzan in Disney’s musical Tarzan on Broadway. In 2009, he made his starring Las Vegas debut in Peepshow at Planet Hollywood Casino & Resort while concurrently co-starring in the hit E! reality show Holly's World. Strickland debuted his first single "Report to the Floor," which skyrocketed to the top-five on the iTunes Dance Charts the first week of its release, followed by “Last Dance.” In 2013, Strickland joined the cast of Vegas! The Show at the Planet Hollywood Casino & Resort in Las Vegas in a starring role. Strickland has also appeared internationally with the all-star cast of Disney’s Broadway Hits, including the Emmy®-winning concert at Royal Albert Hall in London, England. He recently reprised his role as Tarzan in Disney’s Tarzan in Oberhausen, Germany at the Stage Metronom Theatre as well as at the Tuacahn Amphitheatre.
FPAC is an Actors’ Equity Small Professional Theater company based at THE BLACK BOX in downtown Franklin, MA. Each season, FPAC produces musicals, plays, ballets, and more featuring Broadway stars, professional actors, local performers, and emerging artists. Tickets for Tarzan are available at FPAConline.com or by calling the box office at 508-528-3370. Follow Franklin Performing Arts Company and THE BLACK BOX on Facebook and Instagram for updates on programming.
Josh Strickland |
Friday, February 2, 2024
FPAC Presents "Tarzan - The Stage Musical" March 8 through 17
Thursday, February 1, 2024
Save the Date - FPAC Golf 2024
Thursday, January 4, 2024
FPAC performs "Bright Star!" this weekend at THE BLACK BOX
Directed by Raye Lynn Mercer with Music Direction by Hallie Wetzell and Choreography by Hannah Rezendes.
Tickets available at FPAConline.com or by calling the box office at 508-528-3370!
Wednesday, December 27, 2023
Reminder: FPAC to present Steve Martin & Edie Brickell’s Bright Star - Jan 5 - 7, 2024
The Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) is excited to present the musical Bright Star January 5-7 at THE BLACK BOX. Featuring the Tony-nominated bluegrass score by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, Broadway’s Bright Star tells a sweeping tale of love and redemption set against the rich backdrop of the American South in the 1920s and ’40s. When literary editor Alice Murphy meets a young soldier just home from World War II, he awakens her longing for the child she once lost. Alice sets out on a journey to understand her past.
Sunday, December 10, 2023
FPAC to present Steve Martin & Edie Brickell’s Bright Star - January 5-7, 2024
Thursday, November 30, 2023
Celebrate the Holidays with Humbug! Dec 16 & 17
Saturday, November 18, 2023
The Nutcracker, a traditional & key FPAC Holiday Production, is scheduled for Dec 2, 3
Lucy Stewart |
Tuesday, November 14, 2023
FPAC to Present One-Man Comedy Buyer & Cellar Starring Paul Rescigno - Nov 17 through 19
Sunday, November 12, 2023
FPAC to Present Hilarious Comedy Buyer & Cellar Starring Paul Rescigno - Nov 17-19
Monday, October 9, 2023
Broadway Star Takes FPAC “Under the Sea” with Disney’s The Little Mermaid
Friday, October 6, 2023
Did you hear Talk Talk Boom's episode with Clay Rice Thompson? (video)
In this episode, Raye Lynn Mercer, the founder and director of Franklin School for the Performing Arts and Franklin Performing Arts Company, chats with Broadway star Clay Rice Thomson, who's currently starring in Moulin Rouge on Broadway.
He has performed in shows such as Newsies, Matilda, King Kong, and Moulin Rouge. They talk about Clay’s experience from his Broadway debut in Newsies, his experience working with different directors and choreographers, his advice for aspiring performers, and his involvement with the Franklin School for the Performing Arts.Recorded at FPAC’s THE BLACK BOX theater in Franklin, MA.
Tuesday, October 3, 2023
FPAC’s The Little Mermaid brings Broadway to MetroWest Region
Monday, September 11, 2023
Talking about the fun pathways at FSPA with Raye Lynn and Susana (audio)
FM #1058 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1058 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Raye Lynn Mercer, founder and Director of the Franklin School for Performing Arts, and special guest FSPA alum Susana Cordon. We recorded this in the Franklin Public Radio Studio on Thursday, June 1, 2023.
Yes, this sat in the archives for a while due to some unforeseen events that held up the publication. Aside from the future view, now in the past, the pathways talked of still apply.
Susana tells her amazing story following her path through FSPA to Carnegie-Mellon and is looking forward to an exciting year with a performance in Violet (with FPAC), an alumni show with the Electric Youth European tour this summer, fall semester in Wales, followed by final semester and graduation in 2024. Definitely a commencement of whatever her future holds for her.
We cover a lot of ground in about 34 minutes with Raye Lynn and Susana.
Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1058-fspa-fun-pathways-06-01-23--------------
Tickets for Violet are available -> https://www.theblackboxonline.com/events.php?id=1597
Susana was quoted in a article about Carnegie-Mellon https://newsinteractive.post-gazette.com/carnegie-mellon-university-school-of-drama-star-factory-patrick-wilson-susan-tsu-john-wells-myhala-herrold-purnell-center/
FPSA post about Susan’s acceptance at Carnegie-Mellon
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/05/fspa-senior-accepted-to-prestigious.html
Original conversation with Raye Lynn as we spend 38 minutes talking about 38 Main St and the evolution of FSPA to FPAC, THE BLACK BOX, et al …
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/09/raye-lynn-mercer-shares-some-stories-of.html
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For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com
The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.
I hope you enjoy!
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Susana in the FPAC production of Tartuffe at THE BLACK BOX |
Wednesday, August 23, 2023
Auditions Scheduled for FPAC Production of Disney's The Little Mermaid - Aug 26 & 27
- 10am Student Apprentices ages 8-13
- 11am Student Apprentices 14-18
- Please prepare a 16-32 bar cut of a song in the style of the show. There will also be a brief dance/movement combination
- Sign in begins at 12:30pm
- Auditions begin at 1pm
- Please prepare a 16-32 bar cut of a song in the style of the show.
Sunday, August 20, 2023
Franklin Performing Arts Company Announces Performances for the 2023-24 Season
FPAC is an Actors’ Equity Small Professional Theater company based at THE BLACK BOX in downtown Franklin. Each season, FPAC produces musicals, plays, ballets, and more featuring Broadway stars, professional actors, local artists, and students of the arts. Tickets for the 2023-24 season will be on sale soon. Follow Franklin Performing Arts Company and THE BLACK BOX on Facebook and Instagram for updates on programming. https://www.fpaconline.com/
Monday, August 14, 2023
2023-24 Franklin Performing Arts Company Season Announced
FPAC 2023 - 2024 season |
Saturday, June 3, 2023
FPAC to close out their season with performance of Violet - Jun 8, 9, & 10 at THE BLACK BOX
Saturday, April 15, 2023
THE BLACK BOX lines up the remainder of the season performances
Led Zeppelin tribute band Confounded Bridge |
Kenny Hadley Big Band |
Electric Youth |
musical Violet |
The Franklin Performing Arts Company will close its season with the musical Violet, June 9-11. As a girl, Violet was struck by a wayward ax blade when her father was chopping wood, leaving her with a visible scar across her face. With enough money finally saved, she's traveling across the Deep South in 1964 towards a miracle – the healing touch of a TV evangelist who will make her beautiful. Although she may not succeed in having the scar on her face healed, Violet is able to repair those scars that are lying deeper than her skin. On the way, she meets a young soldier whose love for her reaches far past her physical "imperfections."