Showing posts with label Nutcracker. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nutcracker. Show all posts

Saturday, November 18, 2023

The Nutcracker, a traditional & key FPAC Holiday Production, is scheduled for Dec 2, 3

FPAC Holiday Productions will present two shows as part of its annual holiday season. December kicks off with the holiday classic: The Nutcracker, presented December 2 and 3 at the Franklin High School Auditorium. Experience all the festive magic and colorful splendor of The Nutcracker as FPAC stages its cherished annual production of the holiday classic with live orchestra conducted by Austin Davy, special guest artists and more than 100 area dancers. 

The Nutcracker remains a highly anticipated and treasured part of the FPAC season - a popular holiday tradition for more than 20 years. The world-famous ballet, set to Tchaikovsky’s beloved score, delights the imaginations of audiences young and old with a professional production at a reasonable price. The production is staged by Cheryl Madeux of American Ballet Theatre, Hartford Ballet, and Joffrey Ballet. Madeux is currently director of BalletFranklin- the ballet conservatory at the Franklin School for the Performing Arts. 

Lucy Stewart
Lucy Stewart
Lucy Stewart of Complexions Contemporary Ballet will appear as The Sugar Plum Fairy. Stewart grew up in a suburb of Denver, Colorado, where she spent her early years dancing at a small studio in the mountains and then at Colorado Ballet. Originally training in all forms of dance, her primary areas of study included ballet, contemporary and jazz. She spent her summers training with American Ballet Theatre, The Joffrey Ballet, COMPLEXIONS, and Colorado Ballet. Lucy has studied the last two years at The Juilliard School in the dance division where she had the opportunity to study with various leading artists in the dance world, including Ohad Naharin, Tiler Peck, Rena Butler, and James Whiteside, as well as the opportunity to perform Set and Reset by Trisha Brown. For the last several years, Lucy studied regularly with John Gardner and Amanda McKerrow from ABT. 

Jacopo Calvo, also of Complexions Contemporary Ballet, will join Stewart as her Cavalier. Calvo was born in Asti, Italy. He began his dance training at the age of 11 at his hometown school, Ritmo Danza. At 18, he moved to NYC where he attended The Ailey School on scholarship. He has worked with choreographers such as Marcus Jarrell Willis, Brice Mousset, Ray Mercer, Earl Mosley, Francesca Harper, and artist Nick Cave in The Let Go at the Park Avenue Armory. He has attended summer intensives with American Ballet Theater and Complexions Contemporary Ballet, and RESET 2021 with Studio Wayne McGregor. Jacopo has performed with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater for their 60th Anniversary Season in Memoria at New York City Center and for the Ailey Spirit Gala. This is his 2nd season with Complexions.

FPAC Holiday Productions are 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. 

Friday, December 2, 2022

Franklin's Event Outlook: Dec 2, 2022 to Dec 8, 2022

You can dance, or watch dancers, or ballet, or enjoy a beverage and some music, or visit the farmers market, or the Christmas Fair, or the local artesian market, or one of the other options... there is so much to do. Very grateful for the #artshappeninghere in Franklin!


Friday, December 2

5:00pm - Cousins Maine Lobster (food Truck) (La Cantina Winery)

5:30pm - Joshua David (live music) (67 Degrees Brewing)

7:30pm - New Dancer Showcase (ticketed event) (Dean College)


Saturday, December 3

9:00am - Christmas Fair (St John’s Episcopal Church)

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

10:00am - Decorated Holiday Wreaths and Arrangements (Franklin Garden Club at Daddario Hardware Store)

10:00am - AcuPUNKture's Local Artisan Holiday Market (AcuPUNKture)

10:00am - Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

11:00am - Bollywood Dancing (Franklin Public Library)

2:00pm - The Nutcracker (ticketed event) (FPAC Holiday Productions at Franklin High School)

2:00pm - New Dancer Showcase (ticketed event) (Dean College)

3:00pm - Orchard Sl"Hay" Rides (rescheduled -see description 4 details) (Fairmount Fruit Farm)

7:00pm - The Nutcracker (ticketed event) (FPAC Holiday Productions at Franklin High School)

7:30pm - New Thespian Showcase (ticketed event) (Dean College)


Sunday, December 4

7:00am - “Finding the Light” (free art scavenger hunt, find clues on Facebook @PaintingVenus)

1:00pm - Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

2:00pm - The Nutcracker (ticketed event) (FPAC Holiday Productions at Franklin High School)


Tuesday, December 6

6:30pm - Popcorn & Pride (LGBTQ Pride event at 99 Restaurant)

7:00pm - Christmas Trivia Night (St Mary’s Parish)

7:00pm - FHS Chorus and Orchestra Concert (Franklin High School) 


Wednesday, December 7 6:00pm - HMMS Concert (Horace Mann Middle School) 7:00pm - Franklin Art Association (Franklin Senior Center)

Thursday, December 8 7:00pm - An Evening with Mystery Writers: Sulari Gentill, Hank Phillippi Ryan, and Eva Jurczyk (virtual discussion) Franklin Public Library

7:00pm - Pour Richard's Wine and Chocolate Pairing (Pour Richard's Wine & Spirits)


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The Franklin Art Association Art Gallery remains open during business hours at Escape into Fiction (Main St, Franklin)

Find the full Community event calendar  https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

The Cultural calendar displays only the cultural events      https://www.franklinculture.org/things-do/pages/calendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://forms.gle/oPdi8X3ZbHHyrHzo6

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar
The School district calendar is found  https://www.franklinps.net/calendar-by-event-type/26 

Community Calendar
Community Calendar

Wednesday, November 30, 2022

Franklin Cultural District: The Nutcracker, holiday fairs, winter farmers market and more

Christmas classics like The Nutcracker and holiday fairs open this weekend along with the Farmers Market and Dean student showcases for acting and dancing. Yes, #artshappenhere in Franklin!


Wednesday, November 30

Escape Into Fiction
Escape Into Fiction
6:00pm - Poetry for the People (Escape Into Fiction)

6:30pm - Pointy Strip Star (quilt $kit & class) (Emma’s Quilt & Cupboard)


Thursday, December 1

4:00pm - Tree Lighting (Dean College)

4:00pm - Lego Masters Club (4 weeks $) (Creative Corner Art Studio)

5:30pm - Ken Barney (live music) (La Cantina Winery)

6:30pm - Franklin LGBTQ Alliance (monthly meeting) (Franklin TV Studio)

7:30pm - New Thespian Showcase (ticketed event) (Dean College)

Dean College
Dean College


Friday, December 2

5:00pm - Cousins Maine Lobster (food Truck) (La Cantina Winery)

5:30pm - Joshua David (live music) (67 Degrees Brewing)

7:30pm - New Dancer Showcase (ticketed event) (Dean College)



Saturday, December 3

9:00am - Christmas Fair (St John’s Episcopal Church)

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

10:00am - AcuPUNKture's Local Artisan Holiday Market (AcuPUNKture)

10:00am - Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

11:00am - Bollywood Dancing (Franklin Public Library)

2:00pm - The Nutcracker (ticketed event) (FPAC Holiday Productions at Franklin High School)

2:00pm - New Dancer Showcase (ticketed event) (Dean College)

FPAC Holiday Productions
FPAC Holiday Productions

7:00pm - The Nutcracker (ticketed event) (FPAC Holiday Productions at Franklin High School)

7:30pm - New Thespian Showcase (ticketed event) (Dean College)


Sunday, December 4

7:00am - “Finding the Light” (free art scavenger hunt, find clues on Facebook @PaintingVenus)

1:00pm - Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

2:00pm - The Nutcracker (ticketed event) (FPAC Holiday Productions at Franklin High School)


Tuesday, December 6

6:30pm - Popcorn & Pride (LGBTQ Pride event at 99 Restaurant)

7:00pm - Christmas Trivia Night (St Mary’s Parish) 



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The Franklin Art Association Art Gallery remains open during business hours at Escape into Fiction (Main St, Franklin)

Visit the Cultural District page ->  https://www.franklinculture.org/

Find the full Community event calendar  https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://forms.gle/oPdi8X3ZbHHyrHzo6

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar
The School district calendar is found  https://www.franklinps.net/calendar-by-event-type/26 

Franklin Cultural District: Arts are happening here!
Franklin Cultural District: Arts are happening here!

FPAC announces guest artists for The Nutcracker performances Dec 3-4

Melissa Chapski
Melissa Chapski
Melissa Chapski (Sugar Plum) was born in Medfield, Massachusetts. She trained at BalletFranklin under the instruction of Cheryl Madeux from the age of 11. She danced in FPAC Holiday Productions’ Nutcracker for 6 years, featured in roles from Marzipan to Party Girls and Cousins, Snow, Flowers, Arabian, and Clara. In 2015, she graduated from the Ellison Ballet Professional Training Program in New York City.
 
Melissa danced with the Dutch National Ballet for five years and now dances in Munich, Germany with the Bayerisches Staatsballett (Bavarian State Ballet). Most recently, Melissa performed ‘Embers’ in the Opening Gala at Beijing International Ballet Competition in China. 
 
She was also featured as ‘Emma’ in the movie High Strung: Free Dance and has done ad campaigns for Huawei Mobile, Nikon Europe, TCL Electronics, Discount Dance Supply, Capezio, Body Wrappers, and Russian Pointe. She is currently working towards an undergraduate degree in social sciences at Harvard University's Extension school. 


Sava Milojević
Sava Milojević
Sava Milojević (Cavalier) was born in Kragujevac, Serbia where he began his ballet training at age 11. He trained from age 14 in Belgrade at Ballet School Lujo Davičo for two years. He soon moved to John Cranko Ballet Academy in Stuttgart, Germany where he was taken into the main company as an apprentice after only two years. After one season with the Stuttgart Ballet, he joined the Bavarian State Ballet’s junior company where he spent two seasons. In 2018, he was promoted to the main company under direction of Igor Zelensky where he is employed presently. Sava has also been awarded numerous medals at Serbian national ballet competitions. In 2018, Sava debuted multiple roles in John Neumeier’s Der Nussknacker with the Bavarian State Ballet. 
 
Some of his most notable performances include tours to Japan and South Korea with the Stuttgart Ballet in productions of both Onegin and Romeo and Juliet. He also danced in Romeo and Juliet at the famous Salzburg Festspiel. Later on Sava toured to Hong Kong with the Bavarian State Ballet dancing in La Bayadere.



FPAC announces guest artists for The Nutcracker performances Dec 3-4
FPAC announces guest artists for The Nutcracker performances Dec 3-4

Thursday, November 24, 2022

Nutcracker Storytime at Escape Into Fiction - Saturday, Nov 26 at 10:30 AM

Save the Date for a very special costume #storytime on a very special day!!

The Nutcracker Storytime with cast of @franklin.performing.arts.co and @escape_into_fiction reading #thenutcracker by @janbrett1 a Massachusetts author!

Saturday Nov 26th at 10:30

Come celebrate a holiday tradition with 2 local businesses and show your support on #smallbusinesssaturday


Nutcracker Storytime at Escape Into Fiction - Saturday, Nov 26 at 10:30 AM
Nutcracker Storytime at Escape Into Fiction - Saturday, Nov 26 at 10:30 AM

Tuesday, September 13, 2022

FPAC Holiday Productions schedules open auditions for The Nutcracker! - Sep 24

FPAC Holiday Productions is excited to announce open auditions for their annual production of The Nutcracker! Directed by Cheryl Madeux (American Ballet Theatre, Joffrey Ballet, Hartford Ballet)! This annual production of The Nutcracker will feature guest artists and a professional live orchestra.

Auditions will be held on September 24.
Location: THE BLACK BOX, 15 West Central Street, Franklin, MA
Performances: December 3 and 4 at the Franklin High School Auditorium

All are welcome to audition!
Please arrive 30 minutes prior to your audition time to register and receive a number.

Ballet attire is required.
Girls/Ladies- pink footed ballet tights, black, pink or dress code leotard, pink ballet slippers with neat hair or hair in a bun. Pink pointe shoes if auditioning en-pointe.
Boys/Gentlemen- white fitted shirt or white leotard, black tights or black jazz pants, black ballet slippers or white slippers with white socks, and hair neat and out of face.
Please be prepared to stay for the next age group or call back audition.

Off‐Pointe Auditions
Ages 6‐8, 10:00‐10:45 AM  
Ages 9‐11, 10:45‐11:15 AM  
Ages 12‐14, 11:30 - 12:15 PM  
Ages 15+, 12:15‐1:15 PM 
Callbacks off-pointe, 1:15‐1:30 PM  

En‐Pointe Auditions
(Must have at least one year of pointe experience to audition en-pointe)
Ages 12-14, 1:45‐2:15 PM 
Ages 15+, 2:15-3:30 PM 
Callbacks en-pointe, 3:30‐4:15 PM 

Party Parents- Call 508-528-3370 if interested!
For more information call 508-528-3370


FPAC Holiday Productions schedules open auditions for The Nutcracker! - Sep 24
FPAC Holiday Productions schedules open auditions for The Nutcracker! - Sep 24

Friday, December 3, 2021

Franklin's Event Outlook: Dec 3 - Dec 9, 2021

Holiday show season is upon us. Dean Colleges has several performances of "I Hate Hamlet" and FPAC brings "The Nutcracker" to the stage at FHS. 

Photos with Santa and Mrs Claus at the Police Station, the Garden Club's Holiday Wreath and Arrangement sale at Daddario’s and the Winters Farmers Market at Fairmount Fruit Farm on tap for Saturday.

 

Friday, December 3
7:30pm - Dean College: I Hate Hamlet

Saturday, December 4
9:00am - Photos with Santa, Mrs Claus
10:00am - Winter Farmers Market
10:00am - Historical Museum (always free)
11:00am - Holiday Wreath and Arrangement Sale
2:00pm - Dean College: I Hate Hamlet
7:30pm - Dean College: I Hate Hamlet
7:30pm - FPAC - The Nutcracker

Sunday, December 5
1:00pm - Historical Museum (always free)
2:00pm - Dean College: I Hate Hamlet
2:30pm - FPAC - The Nutcracker

Monday, December 6
7:30pm - Hamilton ~ Home for the Holidays

Find the full calendar  https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://forms.gle/oPdi8X3ZbHHyrHzo6

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar
The School district calendar is found   https://www.franklinps.net/calendar-by-event-type/26

Community Calendar
Community Calendar

Friday, December 11, 2020

"The Nutcracker ~ Masked" live streamed from THE BLACK BOX - Dec 12-13

The Franklin Performing Arts Company is excited to present The Nutcracker- Masked live streamed from THE BLACK BOX on December 12 and 13. The classic holiday ballet will be presented with a small cast of Ballet Conservatory dancers from the Franklin School for the Performing Arts all in masks and socially-distanced, with narration, live at THE BLACK BOX to a virtual audience at home.

Under the direction of Cheryl Madeux, former dancer with American Ballet Theatre, the Franklin Performing Arts Company has found a safe way to present this holiday tradition for the region. The masked production will feature Merrie Whitney’s stunning costume design accompanied by facial coverings. The production will continue FPAC’s collaboration with Franklin TV who will help bring the magic of the season to the audiences at home.

Cast A performs Saturday, 12/12 at 2:00 and 7:00 pm

Cast B performs Sunday, 12/13 at 1:00 and 6:00 pm

Tickets are available for each Livestream show and also an On-Demand option for the Saturday Show and the Sunday Show.  https://www.showtix4u.com/events/17686

"The Nutcracker ~ Masked" live streamed from THE BLACK BOX - Dec 12-13
"The Nutcracker ~ Masked" live streamed from THE BLACK BOX - Dec 12-13

 

Sunday, December 1, 2019

FPAC presents The Nutcracker - Dec 7 & 8

The Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) will kick off December with the holiday classic: The Nutcracker, presented December 7 and 8 at the Franklin High School Auditorium. Experience all the festive magic and colorful splendor of The Nutcracker as FPAC stages its cherished annual production of the holiday classic with live orchestra, special guest artists, and more than 100 area dancers. 

The Nutcracker remains a highly anticipated and treasured part of the FPAC season - a popular holiday tradition for more than 20 years. The world-famous ballet, set to Tchaikovsky’s beloved score, delights the imaginations of audiences young and old with a professional production at a reasonable price.

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

FPAC presents The Nutcracker - Dec 7 & 8
FPAC presents The Nutcracker - Dec 7 & 8

Sunday, November 17, 2019

PEDC presents the Nutcracker! - four performances on Dec 7-8

With the explosive growth of the arts in the Franklin community, Patti Eisenhauer Dance Center is proud to present the Nutcracker with four performances this holiday season. The performances will take place on Saturday, December 7 at 1:30 and 5:30 PM and Sunday, December 8, at 12:30 PM and 3:30 PM at Bellingham High School.

Dancing the role of Young Clara is Haylee Goguen, Cheyanne Kelley and Abigail Scollins. Mature Clara will be danced by Grace Jerrier, Rachel Barrows, Jackie Dubois and Angelina Rak.

In other lead roles, the Snow Queen will be danced by Emily Conroy, Julia Broll, Nora Hansen and Kaitlyn Auerbach. The Dew Drop Fairy features Larissa Logan, Amanda Mason, Ellie Rodrigues and Dani Bean. The featured dancers for the coveted role of the Sugar Plum Fairy are Andrea Gray, Isabella Lambros, Samantha Robillard and Bridgette Ginley. 

The box office is open and tickets are limited for the performances. Ticket prices are family-friendly at $18. Tickets are available by calling PEDC at 508-520-7873 or emailing pedcnews@gmail.com.

The show is performed at Bellingham High School's auditorium, 60 Blackstone St., Bellingham, MA.

From left to right, first row: Abigail Scollins, Haylee Goguen and Cheyanne Kelley as Ypung Clara; second row: Jackie Dubois, Agelina Rak, Grace Jerrier and Rachel Barros as Mature Clara; third row: Julia Broll, Katelyn Auerback, Isabella Lambros, Ellie Rodriques and Amanda Mason; fourth row: Emily Conroy, Samantha Robillard, Bridgette Ginley, Andrea Gray, Dani Bean and Larissa Logan. Missing: Norah Hansen. Photo credit: Marcos Esteves
From left to right, first row: Abigail Scollins, Haylee Goguen and Cheyanne Kelley as Ypung Clara; second row: Jackie Dubois, Agelina Rak, Grace Jerrier and Rachel Barros as Mature Clara; third row: Julia Broll, Katelyn Auerback, Isabella Lambros, Ellie Rodriques and Amanda Mason; fourth row: Emily Conroy, Samantha Robillard, Bridgette Ginley, Andrea Gray, Dani Bean and Larissa Logan. Missing: Norah Hansen. Photo credit: Marcos Esteves

For more info on the Patti Eisenhauer Dance Center visit
https://www.pattieisenhauerdancecenter.com/

Friday, December 7, 2018

In the News: PEDC presents The Nutcracker; advances in cancer seen

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:
"With the explosive growth of the arts in the Franklin community, Patti Eisenhauer Dance Center is preparing to present "The Nutcracker" with three performances this weekend. 
Performances are on Saturday, Dec. 8 at 1:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 9 at 12:30 p.m. at Bellingham High School, 60 Blackstone St., Bellingham. 
PEDC has cast six girls as Clara, for the first time having three younger dancers portray young Clara and three older dancers portray mature Clara. Each set of dancers will perform for one show. 
Dancing the lead roles in the production are Samantha Robillard, Kaitlyn Auerbach and Andrea Gray as the Snow Queen; Bridgette Ginley, Elizabeth Rodriques and Emily Conroy as the Dew Drop Fairy and Isabella Lambros, Kaitlin Broyles and Alanna Huling as the Sugar Plum Fairy."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://franklin.wickedlocal.com/news/20181206/franklins-pedc-to-present-the-nutcracker


"The winners of this year’s Nobel Prize for Medicine say they expect substantial advances toward treating cancer in the next several decades, although it is unlikely the disease could be eradicated. 
James Allison of the United States and Tasuku Honjo of Japan made the assessments at a Thursday news conference ahead of receiving the 9 million-kronor ($999,000) prize. 
They were named winners of the prize in October for their work in immunotherapy — activating the body’s natural defense system to fight tumors. 
“Soon we’ll get close with some cancers,” Allison said, citing progress against some forms including melanoma. But, he said, “the world will never be cancer-free.”
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/zz/news/20181206/nobel-laureates-despite-progress-cancer-wont-be-wiped-out/1

Monday, November 19, 2018

Local Teen Ballerina Shares the Stage with Father in FPAC’s Nutcracker

The Nutcracker is a holiday season tradition for countless young dancers whose annual turn in the Christmas fantasy marks a celebrated rite of passage. The chance to take part in the enchanting production, full of pageantry and splendor, engages the starry-eyed child dancer, while more advanced ballerinas relish opportunities to be cast in progressively more challenging roles.

Walpole’s Naomi Fitzgerald (17) is no stranger to this development. 2018 marks her fifth consecutive turn in the classic holiday ballet with the Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC). Over the years she has danced countless roles in the ballet including Marzipan Soloist, Harlequin, Soldier Doll, Rose in Waltz of the Flowers, Arabian corp, Spanish, and multiple roles in the snow scene which closes Act One.
Walpole’s Naomi Fitzgerald
Walpole’s Naomi Fitzgerald

"Particularly for students who start dancing The Nutcracker at younger ages, the ballet becomes tradition, a treasured part of their holiday season," says Director/Choreographer Cheryl Madeux, who formerly danced with the Joffrey Ballet, Hartford Ballet and American Ballet Theatre companies. "As dancers continue to train year after year, they develop the maturity, physically and emotionally, to take on more demanding and age-appropriate roles."

Naomi's parts in the ballet's magical snow scene reflect her progression, dancing first as a Junior Snowflake, then as a snowflake and snow princess, and now as Snow Queen. "My first Nutcracker, I instantly fell in love with the snow scene,” says Fitzgerald. “The magic, the excitement, the elegance. I loved every second of it, and watched the Snow Queen in complete awe of her beauty and strength. Getting the opportunity to perform as Snow Queen is an absolute dream come true, and rehearsing under the direction of Cheryl Madeux is an incomparable experience."
Naomi will also dance the parts of Soldier Doll, Spanish, and Rose
Naomi will also dance the parts of
Soldier Doll, Spanish, and Rose

Cast in multiple roles, Naomi will also dance the parts of Soldier Doll, Spanish, and Rose in Waltz of the Flowers this season.

Naomi will be joined on stage by her dad, Bob Fitzgerald, who will perform as a Party Parent in the festive Christmas Eve scene that opens the ballet's first act. She says of this experience, "Being in rehearsals with my Dad has been a blast. Not only do we get to spend some time together, but I get to share something with him that is so near and dear to me. He is so fun to watch, and I can't wait to share the stage with him.”

A student in the Ballet Conservatory program at the Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA), where Ms. Madeux is Ballet Director, Naomi also studies multiple dance disciplines as well as voice. Her training has even taken her to New York City for American Ballet Theatre’s New York Summer Intensive. Before focusing her dance studies to ballet, Naomi was a trained Irish Step Dancer with Open Champion status and was a top 10 individual medalist in two New England Region Oireachtas. She was also a member of two 1st Place North American Champion Ceili teams and two 1st Place Irish Dance World Champion Ceil teams, and she performed with WGBH’s A Christmas Celtic Sojourn.

FPAC presents The Nutcracker on Saturday, December 1 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, December 2 at 2 p.m. at the Franklin High School Auditorium, 218 Oak Street. With special guest artists, world-class musicians and more than 100 area dancers, the fairytale ballet features Boston Ballet Principal dancers Kathleen Breen Combes and Yury Yanowsky in the roles of the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier. Additionally Rosario Guillen, a student of the Boston Conservatory at Berklee, will dance the part of the Nutcracker/Prince, and New York-based dancer and choreographer Lucas Melfi will dance the role of Dr. Drosselmeyer.

The production features a professional orchestra under the direction of Broadway conductor/arranger Eric Stern. With 19 Broadway shows to his credit, including Shrek, Xanadu, Follies, Parade, and Candide, Stern has recorded over 30 albums. He has performed in concert with renowned artists Audra McDonald, Mandy Patinkin, Barbara Cook, Dawn Upshaw, Dianne Reeves, Deborah Voigt, Jesse Norman, Thomas Hampson, the Irish Tenors, and many others. Stern has conducted many of the world's top orchestras including the Cleveland Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra of St. Luke's and Boston Pops. He won an Emmy for his work for PBS, and his albums have been honored with a Grammy and two Gramophone Awards. He has enjoyed a long association with the National Orchestra of Wales as frequent guest conductor, and he currently teaches conducting at Berklee College of Music.

For tickets and more information, visit www.FPAConline.com or call (508) 528-3370.

Monday, November 5, 2018

Celebrate the Holidays with FPAC

The Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) will present three productions as part of its annual holiday season. FPAC kicks off December with the holiday classic: The Nutcracker, presented December 1 and 2 at the Franklin High School Auditorium. 

Experience all the festive magic and colorful splendor of The Nutcracker as FPAC stages its cherished annual production of the holiday classic with live orchestra, special guest artists and more than 100 area dancers. The Nutcracker remains a highly anticipated and treasured part of the FPAC season - a popular holiday tradition for more than 20 years. The world-famous ballet, set to Tchaikovsky’s beloved score, delights the imaginations of audiences young and old with a professional production at a reasonable price.

The holiday magic continues with FPAC’s original gem: Humbug! running December 8 and 9 at the Franklin High School Auditorium. 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.
Celebrate the Holidays with FPAC
Celebrate the Holidays with FPAC

FPAC will wrap up its holiday celebration with an original “panto” December 21 and 22 at THE BLACK BOX. In Britain there is a wonderful holiday tradition called a “panto.” Back in 1717, the actor/manager John Rich first created a type of show that involved a well-known fairy tale told in an exaggerated style filled with audience participation, popular songs, slapstick comedy, jokes and dances.

At its best, a panto thrills children with the opportunity to cheer for the hero and boo at the villain and sing along with some of their favorite songs. But the brilliance of a good panto lies in its ability to also entertain adults with double entendre, references to modern culture, open satire of other works and the opportunity to sing along with some of their favorite songs. Bring the whole family to FPAC’s fourth annual “American Panto” — a holiday tradition for us all.

For tickets and more information, visit www.fpaconline.com or call the box office at 508-528-3370.

Sunday, November 19, 2017

FPAC’S The Nutcracker To Feature Guest Soloists, Professional Orchestra And Area Dancers

Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) proudly presents The Nutcracker, bringing special guest artists, a 27-piece orchestra, and some 100 area dancers to one suburban stage. FPAC invites audiences to fall under Drosselmeyer’s dreamy spell and join Clara and her Nutcracker Prince on a journey full of surprises and wonder. 

A popular holiday tradition for more than two decades, The Nutcracker remains a highly anticipated and treasured part of the FPAC season. Set to Tchaikovsky’s beloved score, the timeless ballet delights the imaginations of audiences young and old with festive magic and colorful splendor. FPAC presents The Nutcracker on Saturday, December 2 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, December 3 at 2 p.m. at the Franklin High School auditorium, 218 Oak Street, in Franklin.

FPAC’s The Nutcracker is choreographed and directed by Cheryl Madeux, who also dances the role of Sugar Plum Fairy. Ms. Madeux formerly danced with the Joffrey Ballet, Hartford Ballet, and American Ballet Theatre (ABT) companies. A summer faculty member for the ABT Young Dancers Program and an examiner for the ABT National Training Curriculum, she is Ballet Director at the Franklin School for the Performing Arts. 

Joseph Jefferies will perform the role of the Cavalier. Jefferies, who also choreographed the Arabian and Waltz of the Flowers dances for this production, danced professionally with Pittsburg Ballet Theater, Ballet Arizona, Ballet Memphis, and Les Ballet Trockadero de Monte Carlo. He is an award-winning choreographer, creating more than 30 works for companies including Ballet Memphis, Miami City Ballet, Ballet Trockadero, and Ballet Yuma. 

FPAC performs The Nutcracker Dec 2-3
FPAC performs The Nutcracker Dec 2-3

Rosario Guillen, a student of the Boston Conservatory at Berklee, will dance the part of the Nutcracker/Prince, and Aaron Andrade of Lincoln, Rhode Island will perform the role of Dr. Drosselmeyer. FPAC’s The Nutcracker also showcases the talents of scores of area students, ages 6 and older, from many regional communities and local dance schools. A choir will sing the ethereal choral parts that accompany the enchanting Snow Scene that closes the ballet’s first act.

The production features a professional orchestra under the direction of Broadway conductor/arranger Eric Stern. With 19 Broadway shows to his credit, including Shrek, Xanadu, Follies, Parade, and Candide, Stern has recorded over 30 albums. He has performed in concert with renowned artists Audra McDonald, Mandy Patinkin, Barbara Cook, Dawn Upshaw, Dianne Reeves, Deborah Voigt, Jesse Norman, Thomas Hampson, the Irish Tenors, and many others. 

Stern has conducted many of the world’s top orchestras including the Cleveland Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra of St. Luke’s and Boston Pops. He won an Emmy for his work for PBS, and his albums have been honored with a Grammy and two Gramophone Awards. He has enjoyed a long association with the National Orchestra of Wales as frequent guest conductor, and he currently teaches conducting at Berklee College of Music.

Founded in 1991, the nonprofit FPAC supports educational arts experiences, quality entertainment and outstanding performance opportunities for professional artists, community performers and students of the arts. With a focus on youth development and a commitment to live music, FPAC celebrates its 27th season. Middlesex Savings Bank and Waters Corporation are FPAC 2017 Holiday Sponsors. 

Tickets are $32-$36. For tickets and more information, visit www.THEBLACKBOXonline.com or www.FPAConline.com or call (508) 528-3370.