The Culinary and Performing Arts Come Together for “Culinary Cabaret”

Friday, April 10 at 7 pm, the Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) will unite the culinary and performing arts for an inspired evening of fabulous food, drink, and entertainment. The all-inclusive ticket delivers a delicious and entertaining evening at THE BLACK BOX, Franklin’s premier entertainment venue.

Patrons are invited for a fun night out with food tastings from local restaurants, live music, and performances by Electric Youth throughout the evening. This year, FPAC is excited to be joined by Pour Richard’s (wine tastings), Total Beverage Solution (craft beer tastings), Applause- Gelato and Unique Finds, Coachman’s Lodge, Intermission Café, LongHorn Steakhouse, Mykonos Greek Kitchen, Raillery Public House, The Caribbean Press, The Curry House, and more. 

 The 14th annual Culinary Cabaret spotlights this region's outstanding culinary talent, showcasing fine wines, craft beer, delectable spirits, flavorful dishes, and mouth-watering desserts by culinary partners. This special evening has been a celebrated part of FPAC’s yearly performance calendar for over a decade. 

Featuring entertainment by Electric Youth, Culinary Cabaret supports Electric Youth’s 2026 European tour. 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. 

THE BLACK BOX is located at 15 W. Central St. in downtown Franklin, MA. For tickets and more information on Culinary Cabaret, visit FPAConline.com or call the box office at 508-528-3370. Follow Franklin Performing Arts Company and THE BLACK BOX on Facebook and Instagram for updates on programming. 

Culinary Cabaret Coming Friday, April 10

Culinary Cabaret Coming Friday, April 10

"Hello April  !!

The Franklin Cultural District is buzzing with fresh energy—explore local events, artists, and all the creativity our community has to offer this week! 

Check out our Eblast link shared below (or visit the link in our profile)

Eblast link - https://conta.cc/4tjWOQS"

Shared from - https://www.instagram.com/p/DWljODjleDX/

"Congratulations to the Franklin Performing Arts Center for receiving a Destination Development Capital Grant"

via Senator Becca Rausch

"Congratulations to the Franklin Performing Arts Center for receiving a Destination Development Capital Grant. These funds will cover roof renovation costs for THE BLACK BOX, a world-class stage that spotlights talented local actors and engaging Massachusetts stories. 

Thanks to the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism for your continuing support of our vibrant creative economy. "

Shared from - https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1B2y32iXcf/

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Sunday, March 15, 2026 ???

Sunday, March 15

7:30am All You Can Eat Breakfast (Franklin Rod & Gun Club) 

1:00pm Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

2:00pm Into the Woods (THE BLACK BOX)

*** NO Town Meetings today   ***

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Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendar

Cast Announced for FPAC’s performance of "Into the Woods"

Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) will present James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim’s timeless, yet relevant, Into the Woods March 14-22 at THE BLACK BOX! Directed by FPAC Artistic Director Raye Lynn Mercer. The production will feel immersive with the audience seated throughout the theater space and actors traveling on paths amongst them. 

Cast Announced for FPAC’s performance of "Into the Woods"

The cast will star Broadway’s Liam Fennecken (Chicago) as the Baker with FPAC’s Kellie Stamp as The Baker’s Wife and Hallie Wetzell as The Witch. They are joined by NYC’s Miracle Myles (Hadestown Tour) as Jack, Ali Funkhouser as Cinderella, Robbie Rescigno as Cinderella’s Prince/The Wolf, Paul Rescigno as Rapunzel’s Prince, and Boston’s Anissa Perona as Rapunzel.

The cast also features FPAC’s Nick Paone as the Narrator/Mysterious Man, Kim Frigon as Jack’s Mother, Zoë Iacovelli as Cinderella’s Stepmother, Liz Ayres-Kerr as Cinderella’s Mother, Timothy Ayres-Kerr as Cinderella’s Father, Melissa Baratta as Granny, and Charley Eastman as the Steward. 

Dean College Musical Theater students Isis Wilson and Emily Marino will appear as Sleeping Beauty and Snow White. The cast is rounded out with FPAC Student Apprentices from the Franklin School for the Performing Arts Aida DiChiara as Little Red, Hailey Hulbig as Florinda, Baree Frigon as Lucinda, and Matthew Packard as Milky White (featuring Puppet Design by Molly Jae Chase). 

The story follows a baker and his wife, who wish to have a child; Cinderella, who wishes to attend the King’s Festival; and Jack, who wishes his cow would give milk. When the Baker and his wife learn that they cannot have a child because of a Witch’s curse, the two set off on a journey to break the curse. Everyone’s wish is granted, but the consequences of their actions return to haunt them later with disastrous results. 

Content Advisory: Into the Woods contains some violence, death, and darker themes that may not be suitable for all audiences, particularly young children in Act 2. The musical adaptation of the classic fairy tales includes a “darker” and less “happy ending” focused story than traditional fairy tales. 

Matinee performances will feature an “Act 1 Only” option for kids with activities/supervision provided next door at the Franklin School for the Performing Arts during Act 2.

Franklin Performing Arts Company (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 Into the Woods are available at FPAConline.com or by calling the box office at 508-528-3370. 

FPAC to perform "Into the Woods" March 13-22 at THE BLACK BOX

Once upon a time… 📖 Don’t miss Ali Funkhouser (@alifunk ) as Cinderella, Anissa Perona ( @anissaperona ) as Rapunzel, Robbie Rescigno as Cinderella’s Prince/Wolf, and Paul Rescigno as Rapunzel’s Prince (@therescignos ) this March in FPAC’s Into the Woods!

FPAC presents James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim’s timeless, yet relevant, Into the Woods March 13-22 at THE BLACK BOX! Directed by FPAC Artistic Director Raye Lynn Mercer. The story follows a baker and his wife, who wish to have a child; Cinderella, who wishes to attend the King’s Festival; and Jack, who wishes his cow would give milk.

When the Baker and his wife learn that they cannot have a child because of a Witch’s curse, the two set off on a journey to break the curse. Everyone’s wish is granted, but the consequences of their actions return to haunt them later with disastrous results.

🚨Content Advisory: Into the Woods contains some violence, death, and darker themes that may not be suitable for all audiences, particularly young children. The musical adaptation of the classic fairy tales includes a “darker” and less “happy ending” focused story than traditional fairy tales.

Matinee performances will feature an “Act 1 Only” option for kids with activities/supervision provided next door at the Franklin School for the Performing Arts during Act 2.

Shared from - https://www.instagram.com/p/DUqYRl_DVI8/

Tickets available online - https://fpaconline.com/into-the-woods/

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Saturday, January 24, 2026 ???

Saturday, January 24

9:00am Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church)

9:00am Jigsaw Puzzle Sale (First Universalist Society Franklin)

10:00am Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

10:00am Franklin in Miniature (Train Town 3) (Franklin Historical Museum)

10:00am Jigsaw Puzzle Tournament (First Universalist Society Franklin)

10:00am Winter Farmers Market (Fairmount Fruit Farm)

11:00am #BoycottCitizens (for supporting ICE) (Stop&Shop Plaza)

7:30pm Steel Magnolias (THE BLACK BOX)

For additional details on Library events -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/942/Calendar-of-Events

*** NO Town Meetings today   ***

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Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendar

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Friday, January 23, 2026 ???

Friday, January 23

Curbside pickup delayed one day

• If scheduled for Thursday, to be picked up Friday
• If scheduled for Friday, to be picked up Saturday

10:00am Knitting Group (Franklin Public Library)

1:00pm Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church)

5:00pm Jigsaw Puzzle Sale (First Universalist Society Franklin)

6:00pm Jigsaw Puzzle Tournament (First Universalist Society Franklin)

7:30pm Steel Magnolias (THE BLACK BOX)

Library & Senior Center events

For additional details on Library events -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/942/Calendar-of-Events

For additional details on Senior Center events ->   

https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37,24&showPastEvents=false

*** Town Meetings today   ***

Franklin School Committee Horace Mann Legacy Sub Committee Meeting

Friday, January 23 Time: 8:00 AM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_01232026-2105

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Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendar

FPAC’s Steel Magnolias set for performances Jan 23-25 at THE BLACK BOX

First look at the cast of FPAC’s Steel Magnolias directed by Robbie Rescigno! Running January 23-25 at THE BLACK BOX! 

FPAC’s Steel Magnolias set for performances
Jan 23-25 at THE BLACK BOX

Hair, Wig, & Makeup Design by @b.luxewigsandtoppers and Costume Design by @swissmisscatherine !

Special thanks to Heather and @bluxehairandmakeup for their support and guidance for this production! 

• Pictures by @vicariostudio 
• Tickets at FPAConline.com | 508-528-3370

Before the iconic 1989 film broke box office records nationwide, Louisiana salon owner Truvy first set up shop on the stage. The colorful cast of regulars and employees that frequent her establishment include a mother-daughter duo planning a wedding, a woman who’s “been in a bad mood for 40 years,” and a mysterious newcomer. Through laughter, tears, and a thick fog of hairspray, these women face trials and triumphs armed with their greatest strength: each other.

Content Advisory: Steel Magnolias deals with themes of death, grief, and loss and contains some mature humor and themes.

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/1BsugXeVW2/

FPAC Hosts Cabaret Starring Singers from the Stages of Boston, Providence, and Beyond

The Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) will host A Starry Night: A Cabaret on Friday, January 9 featuring singers from the stages of Boston, Providence, and beyond. FPAC, Franklin’s own Actors’ Equity Professional Theater, is thrilled to welcome talented singers from the area’s robust theater scene to THE BLACK BOX stage for an evening of great music. 

FPAC Hosts Cabaret Starring Dan Callaway,
Anthony Pires, jr., Leslie Ellis, and Henry Roseman

Hosted by Ali Funkhouser with music direction by Henry Roseman, the evening will star Dan Callaway (Phantom of the Opera Tour), Anthony Pires, jr. (Lyric Stage, Wheelock Family Theatre, Central Square Theatre, Greater Boston Stage Co.), and Leslie Ellis (City of Angels on Broadway, CATS Tour, La Cage aux Folles Tour, GRAMMY Award for her vocals on Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On”). 

They will be joined by Perry Albert, Olivia Buckley, Jack Cappadona, Cameron Clements, Erin Collins, Johnny Gordon, Zoë Iacovelli, Gwenn Hope Rodriques, Samantha Mastroberte, Ally Anna McLean, Izzy Scampoli, Peter Tedeschi, and Brandon Wong.

FPAC is an Actors’ Equity Small Professional Theater company based at THE BLACK BOX in downtown Franklin, MA. Each season, FPAC produces musicals, plays, and more featuring Broadway stars, professional actors, local performers, and emerging artists. 

Tickets for A Starry Night are available at FPAConline.com or by calling the box office at 508-528-3370. 

More Starry Night performers announced - Tickets available for Jan 9

Hosted by Ali Funkhouser, the cabaret will feature singers from the stages of Boston, Providence, and beyond! 

FPAC, Franklin’s own Actors’ Equity Professional Theater, is thrilled to welcome talented singers from the area’s robust theater scene to THE BLACK BOX stage for an evening of great music! 

🎟️ Tickets are available at FPAConline.com or by calling the box office at 508-528-3370!

When: January 9 at 8:00 PM

Photo Album of the performers announced ->    https://photos.app.goo.gl/z6ecEH8BMv8AL1Cr7

First performers announced for "A Starry Night" scheduled Jan 9 at THE BLACK BOX

Introducing our first few singers for A Starry Night next Friday, January 9 at 8:00 PM! 

• Anthony Pires, Jr.
• Dan Callaway
• Olivia Buckley
• Jack Cappadona
• Cameron Clements

Anthony Pires, Jr.

Hosted by Ali Funkhouser, the cabaret will feature singers from the stages of Boston, Providence, and beyond! FPAC, Franklin’s own Actors’ Equity Professional Theater, is thrilled to welcome talented singers from the area’s robust theater scene to THE BLACK BOX stage for an evening of great music! 

🎟️ Tickets are available at FPAConline.com or by calling the box office at 508-528-3370!

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/1DmaAexor2/

Photo Album of the first performers announced ->    https://photos.app.goo.gl/z6ecEH8BMv8AL1Cr7

FPAC Announces Cast of Steel Magnolias

The Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) will present the beloved play Steel Magnolias directed by Robbie Rescigno January 23-25 at THE BLACK BOX in downtown Franklin, MA. 

The six-person play will star Los Angeles actor Regina Fernandez as Truvy, NYC’s Lisa Anne Porter as M’Lynn and Ali Funkhouser as Annelle, Boston’s Izzy Scampoli as Shelby, and FPAC actors Melissa Baratta as Ouiser and Kellie Stamp as Clairee. 

Before the iconic 1989 film broke box office records nationwide, Louisiana salon owner Truvy first set up shop on the stage. The colorful cast of regulars and employees that frequent her establishment include a mother-daughter duo planning a wedding, a woman who’s “been in a bad mood for 40 years,” and a mysterious newcomer. Through laughter, tears, and a thick fog of hairspray, these women face trials and triumphs armed with their greatest strength: each other. 

(L-R) Regina Fernandez, Lisa Anne Porter, Ali Funkhouser, Izzy Scampoli, Melissa Baratta, and Kellie Stamp

Content Advisory: Steel Magnolias deals with themes of death, grief, and loss and contains some mature humor and themes.

FPAC is an Actors’ Equity Small Professional Theater company based at THE BLACK BOX in downtown Franklin, MA. Each season, FPAC produces musicals, plays, and more featuring Broadway stars, professional actors, local performers, and emerging artists. 

Tickets for Steel Magnolias are available at FPAConline.com or by calling the box office at 508-528-3370. 

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Sunday, December 21, 2025 ???

Sunday, December 21

10:00am Girl Scout Cookies (Shaw's, until 1 PM)

1:00pm Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

1:00pm Franklin in Miniature or Train Town #3 (Franklin Historical Museum)

1:00pm Musical Bingo (Teddy Gallagher's Irish Pub)

2:00pm Humbug! (FPAC performs at Franklin High School)

** NO  Town Meetings today   **

------------

Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendar

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Saturday, December 20, 2025 ???

Saturday, December 20

• 
  FYHA fundraiser (all day) (Panera Bread)

8:00am St. Mary Men's Faith Formation Group (St. Mary's Parish)

9:00am Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church)

9:00am St. Mary Women’s Faith Formation Group (St. Mary's Parish)

10:00am Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

10:00am Rise Up - Open House & Holiday Party (Franklin United Methodist Church)

3:00pm Copley Cats Holiday Concert (Franklin Public Library)

7:00pm Country Music Classic (live music) (Teddy Gallagher's Irish Pub)

7:30pm Humbug! (FPAC performance at Franklin High School)

8:00pm Karaoke at The Raillery (Raillery Public House)

** NO  Town Meetings today   **

------------

Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendar

Celebrate the Holidays with Humbug!

FPAC Holiday Productions will close its December season with the return of Humbug! December 20 and 21. 

Celebrate the Holidays with Humbug!

A family favorite since debuting as part of FPAC’s 2008 season, Humbug! is an original musical retelling of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, starring the script’s writer, Nick Paone, as Ebenezer 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 iconic characters and storyline are cleverly reimagined with modern setting and dialogue. Humbug! delivers a holiday gift of hilarity with a timely – and timeless – message.

The FPAC Holiday Productions original features sets of parents and their children, siblings, and friends that are like family as part of a large ensemble cast of over 100 professional artists, community performers, and students of the arts. “Live theater creates a space where we can come together and have a collective experience,” says Mireille Eastman, mother of Humbug! student cast member Ameline Eastman. She has previously also performed in the production along with her husband, Charley Eastman, and all three of their children. “We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be involved with Humbug! as a family. Sharing our passion for live theater with our children has brought us all closer together.”

The show features mother/daughters Kim and Baree Frigon, Kristin and Polly Palson, Stephanie, Iris, and Lilliana Lacey, and Robin and Zoey Tucker. Siblings Tawny and Kylie Adams, Carys and Teagan Bishop, Maisie and Parker Bourque, Christopher and Owen Charles, Eiva and Elijah Cohen, Katie and Helena Cornwell, Zarafina and Zofia Labedz, and Nora and Julia Santos all perform together as well as father/daughter pair Ashish and Maja Thaker, and married couple Greg Leach and Michele Webster. 

Youth development in the arts is a special focus of FPAC, founded in 1991 by Artistic Director Raye Lynn Mercer. Productions provide ongoing opportunities for families to connect through the arts, with multiple generations sharing rehearsals and time on stage together.

Humbug! is presented at the Franklin High School Auditorium. For tickets and more information, visit www.FPAConline.com or call the box office at 508-528-3370. 

Audition Alert! "Into the Woods!"

Audition Alert! "Into the Woods!"

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/DSBKVuLj18I/

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Sunday, December 7, 2025 ???

Sunday, December 7

10:00am Girl Scout Cookie Sale (Shaw's)

1:00pm Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

1:00pm Franklin in Miniature/Train Town exhibit (Franklin Historical Museum)

1:00pm Musical Bingo (Teddy Gallagher's Irish Pub)

2:00pm The Nutcracker (Franklin High School)

** NO Town Meetings today   **

------------

Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendar