THE BLACK BOX Sings… FROZEN on August 3

THE BLACK BOX Sings… FROZEN on August 3rd at 7:00 PM at THE BLACK BOX outside under the stars! THE BLACK BOX will present a concert celebrating the music of the highest-grossing animated film of all time: Disney’s Frozen. 

The concert will feature a narrated telling of Elsa and Anna’s story with live performances of the film’s songs as well as new music written for the Broadway production. Enjoy the memorable songs of Kristen and Robert Lopez in concert outside at THE BLACK BOX!

THE BLACK BOX Sings… FROZEN on August 3

Tickets will be available at the end of July! Table seating and general seating are available. In case of inclement weather, the event will be moved inside.

Modeled after the popular cabaret series “54 Sings” at 54 Below in NYC, THE BLACK BOX continues THE BLACK BOX Sings… Series this summer. The series celebrates the music of musicals, composers, and artists sung by Franklin Performing Arts Company favorites. 

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/C9iJpcPxbAY/

Franklin Performing Arts Company announces their 2024-25

The FPAC’s 2024-25 Season! 

🎸Rock got no reason, rock got no rhyme… You better get me to school on time! FPAC presents Andrew Lloyd Webber’s School of Rock Oct. 18-27 at THE BLACK BOX! Based on the hit movie, School of Rock follows Dewey Finn, a failed, wannabe rock star who decides to earn an extra bit of cash by posing as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school. Directed by @rayelynnmercer (Raye Lynn Mercer) with music direction by @halliejw (Hallie Wetzell) !

📓FPAC presents David Auburn’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play Proof Nov. 15-17 at THE BLACK BOX! Catherine has spent years caring for her brilliant but unstable father, Robert. When he dies she has more than grief to deal with: there’s her estranged sister, Claire, and Hal, a former student of her father’s who hopes to find valuable work in the 103 notebooks that Robert left behind. And a further problem: how much of her father’s madness - or genius - will Catherine inherit? Directed by Nick Paone. 

🌎 FPAC presents To Tell a Story About the Earth, a new play by Miranda Rose Hall in development by @lubdubtheatreco Jan. 10-12 at THE BLACK BOX! After a disastrous first production, a fledgling theater company has decided to call it quits. But when the local librarian requests a new performance for Earth Day, the young artists have a decision to make. Directed by @caitlinnasemacassidy (Caitlin Nasema Cassidy) and @ladderonface (Geoff Kanick) !

🎭Bialystock and Bloom! FPAC presents The Producers! A down-on-his-luck Broadway producer and his mild-mannered accountant come up with a scheme to produce the most notorious flop in history, thereby bilking their backers out of millions of dollars. Only one thing goes awry: the show is a smash hit! Directed by @rayelynnmercer , choreography by Broadway’s @clayricethomson ,and music direction by @halliejw (Hallie Wetzell) !

🪶 FPAC presents the musical adaptation of Little Women Jun. 6-8 at THE BLACK BOX! Based on Louisa May Alcott’s life, Little Women follows the adventures of sisters Jo, Meg, Beth, and Amy March. Directed by @alifunk (Ali Funkhouser) with music direction by @halliejw (Hallie Wetzell).

🎁 FPAC Holiday Productions will present The Nutcracker and ‘Tis the Season!

Shared from -> https://www.fpaconline.com/events.php?id=1778

and ->   https://www.facebook.com/FPAConline/posts/pfbid0ycZpfgKrSTrg5GkXobtwSggmG5VwpQGsarc67XVXRhyU9Ms9xsUdS3XnJD9QZUMbl

Franklin Performing Arts Company announces their 2024-25

THE BLACK BOX Sings… Waitress Concert Starring Broadway Cast Members

THE BLACK BOX, the region’s premier music, theater, and event venue, is thrilled to bring back THE BLACK BOX Sings… Concert Series outside under the stars this summer. Kicking off the 2024 series is THE BLACK BOX Sings… WAITRESS on June 28th at 8:00pm. 

Starring Emily Koch (Broadway’s Waitress, WICKED, Kimberly Akimbo) and Jim Hogan (Waitress on tour, Broadway’s Kimberly Akimbo) with Ali Funkhouser, April Lisette, Dan Callaway, Robbie Rescigno, Nick Paone, and an ensemble of Franklin Performing Arts Company favorites. Join THE BLACK BOX for a celebration of the beloved Sara Bareilles score.

Emily Koch

Emily Koch starred as Jenna on Broadway and on tour in Waitress and will return to THE BLACK BOX to lead the concert alongside Jim Hogan from the touring company. Both Koch and Hogan recently closed the Broadway production of Kimberly Akimbo. 

Modeled after the popular cabaret series “54 Sings” at 54 Below in NYC, THE BLACK BOX continues THE BLACK BOX Sings… Series this June and August. The series celebrates the music of musicals, composers, and artists sung by Franklin Performing Arts Company favorites. Table seating and general seating are available. In case of inclement weather, the event will be moved inside. 

Tickets and more information are available at THEBLACKBOXonline.com or by calling the box office at 508-528-3370. THE BLACK BOX is located at 15 W. Central Street in downtown Franklin, MA. 

THE BLACK BOX Sings… Concert Series opens June 28

THE BLACK BOX, the region’s premier music, theater, and event venue, is thrilled to bring back THE BLACK BOX Sings… Concert Series outside under the stars this summer. Modeled after the popular cabaret series “54 Sings” at 54 Below in NYC, THE BLACK BOX continues THE BLACK BOX Sings… Series this June and August. The series celebrates the music of musicals, composers, and artists sung by Franklin Performing Arts Company favorites. Table seating and general seating are available. In case of inclement weather, the event will be moved inside. 

Kicking off the 2024 series is THE BLACK BOX Sings… WAITRESS on June 28th at 8:00pm. Starring Emily Koch (Broadway’s Waitress, WICKED, Kimberly Akimbo) and Jim Hogan (Waitress on tour, Broadway’s Kimberly Akimbo) with Ali Funkhouser, April Lisette, Dan Callaway, Robbie Rescigno, Nick Paone, and an ensemble of Franklin Performing Arts Company favorites. Join THE BLACK BOX for a celebration of the beloved Sara Bareilles score.

THE BLACK BOX Sings… Concert Series opens June 28

On August 3rd at 7:00pm, THE BLACK BOX Sings… FROZEN. TBB will present a concert celebrating the music of the highest-grossing animated film of all time: Disney’s Frozen. The concert will feature a narrated telling of Elsa and Anna’s story with live performances of the film’s songs as well as new music written for the Broadway production. Enjoy the memorable songs of Kristen and Robert Lopez in concert outside at THE BLACK BOX! 

THE BLACK BOX Sings… TAYLOR SWIFT on August 11th at 7:00pm. A cast of Franklin Performing Arts Company favorites will pay tribute to the most-streamed artist on Spotify: Grammy Award-winner Taylor Swift. 

Closing out the 2024 series will be the return of THE BLACK BOX Sings… WICKED on August 17th at 8:00pm. Pianist Austin Davy from the Wicked tour accompanies an FPAC all-star cast featuring Katie Gray, Ali Funkhouser, Nick Paone, Hallie Wetzell, and Tim Ayres-Kerr. Join THE BLACK BOX for a celebration of the music of WICKED and the story of the Witches of Oz.

Tickets and more information are available at THEBLACKBOXonline.com or by calling the box office at 508-528-3370. THE BLACK BOX is located at 15 W. Central Street in downtown Franklin, MA. 

THE BLACK BOX Sings this Summer

We’re so excited to bring back THE BLACK BOX Sings… series this summer OUTSIDE under the stars!

🥧 THE BLACK BOX Sings… WAITRESS on June 28th at 8:00pm starring Emily Koch (Broadway’s Waitress, WICKED, Kimberly Akimbo) and Jim Hogan (Waitress on tour, Broadway’s Kimberly Akimbo) with Ali Funkhouser, April Lisette, Dan Callaway, Robbie Rescigno, Nick Paone, and an ensemble of Franklin Performing Arts Company favorites. Join TBB for a celebration of the beloved Sara Bareilles score.

❄️ THE BLACK BOX Sings… FROZEN on August 3rd at 7:00pm celebrating the music of the highest-grossing animated film of all time: Disney’s Frozen. The concert will feature a narrated telling of Elsa and Anna’s story with live performances of the film’s songs as well as new music written for the Broadway production. Enjoy the memorable songs of Kristen and Robert Lopez in concert outside at THE BLACK BOX!

🎤 THE BLACK BOX Sings… TAYLOR SWIFT on August 11th at 7:00pm with a cast of Franklin Performing Arts Company favorites who will pay tribute to the most-streamed artist on Spotify: Grammy Award-winner Taylor Swift!

🧹 THE BLACK BOX Sings… WICKED on August 17th at 8:00pm. Pianist Austin Davy from the Wicked tour accompanies an FPAC all-star cast featuring Katie Gray, Ali Funkhouser, Nick Paone, Hallie Wetzell, and Tim Ayres-Kerr. Join us at TBB for a celebration of the music of WICKED and the story of the Witches of Oz.

ℹ️ Table seating and general seating are available. In case of inclement weather, the events will be moved inside. Modeled after the popular cabaret series “54 Sings” at Feinstein’s/54 Below in NYC, THE BLACK BOX continues THE BLACK BOX Sings… Series this summer. The series celebrates the music of musicals, composers, and artists sung by Franklin Performing Arts Company favorites.  

 

Shared from ->https://www.instagram.com/p/C8Hg4ujRtB7/

 

THE BLACK BOX Sings this Summer

FSPA Senior Showcase scheduled for June 11 at 6 PM

"Join us on June 11 at 6:00 PM at THE BLACK BOX to celebrate the Franklin School for the Performing Arts Class of 2024!

All are welcome!"

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/p/ZB4TMtFjcKArqXuw/

FSPA Senior Showcase scheduled for June 11 at 6 PM

Talking about the FPAC Golf Tournament and other fundraising with Arielle & Alan (audio)

FM #1212 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1212 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Alan Mercer, Operations Director of THE BLACK BOX, and Arielle Hardy, Director of Development for FPAC. We met to record this conversation in the Franklin TV Studios on Thursday, May 16, 2024.  

We talk about 

• FPAC golf event June 10

• Importance of fundraising to augment income

• Expansion of FPAC from a regional theater to include equity performers 

The conversation runs about 20 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Arielle and Alan. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1212-fpac-golf-outing-fundraising-05-16-24

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FPAC Golf outing June 10 -> https://www.fpaconline.com/events.php?id=1747 

FPAC support options -> https://www.fpaconline.com/pages.php?pname=fpac_support_us 

THE BLACK BOX page  ->  https://www.theblackboxonline.com/ 

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit www.franklin.news/ or  www.Franklinmatters.org/ 

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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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

Talking about the FPAC Golf Tournament and other fundraising with Arielle & Alan (audio)

What's happening Friday, May 9 in Franklin, MA?

Friday, May 10

10:00am Knitting Group (Franklin Public Library)

7:00pm Rising Stars Cabaret (THE BLACK BOX)

7:00pm “Footloose: Youth Edition” (Horace Mann Middle School)

7:00pm BEN 4 Franklin Launch Party (Franklin TV & Radio Studio)

What's happening today in Franklin? 

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

Why are there multiple calendars?

There is a Cultural events calendar upon which other community events are layered to create the Community calendar.

Respectfully, the Library and Senior Center calendars are too full of events to include all their events so we tend to focus on the major events. Town and School meetings are also kept separate. Links for all the calendars are shared here:

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

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 Library calendar of events ->    calendar link

The Senior Center calendar of events ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/node/39/events/month/39/2023-12

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 

The Franklin Art Association Art Gallery remains open for viewing (and purchasing the art displayed) during business hours at Escape into Fiction (Main St, Franklin)

This weekend at THE BLACK BOX: Rising Stars Cabaret & EY "Funraiser"

Rising Stars Cabaret scheduled for Friday, May 10 at 7:00 PM at THE BLACK BOX

THE BLACK BOX Cabaret presents a special cabaret revue spotlighting the talents of promising young singers! This annual Rising Stars Cabaret is presented in an intimate, nightclub atmosphere with professional accompaniment.

Tickets -> https://www.theblackboxonline.com/events.php?id=1757

Rising Stars Cabaret

EY "Funraiser" scheduled for Saturday, May 11 at 8:00 PM at THE BLACK BOX

Night of Rock & Pop from the 80s, 90s, and 2000s

Presenting: Two Dudes and a Guy

Opening: Three Day Weekend

Tickets ->  https://www.theblackboxonline.com/events.php?id=1763&month=05&year=2024

EY "Funraiser"

What's happening Saturday, April 27, 2024?

Saturday, April 27

9:00am - DEA Medication "take back" day (SAFE Coalition)

9:00am - Earth Day - Clean Up (Beaver Pond)

9:00am - Stephen Green First Lego League Explore Showcase (Franklin Public Library)

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

10:00am - Celebrate Earth Day (DelCarte Open Space)

10:00am - Roll, Stroll, Seed (Sculpture Park)

10:30am - Rough Sleepers Community Discussion (Franklin Public Library)

10:30am - Dr. Rosie Helps the Animals: A Stuffed Animal Storytime (Franklin Public Library)

6:00pm - Silent Saturdays: "Ravished Armenia" (Franklin Historical Museum)

7:00pm - South Street Six (La Cantina Winery)

7:30pm - Electric Youth & Future Shock (THE BLACK BOX)

8:00pm - Garnet Rogers (Circle of Friends Coffeehouse)

What's happening Saturday, April 27, 2024?

Why are there multiple calendars?

There is a Cultural events calendar upon which other community events are layered to create the Community calendar.

Respectfully, the Library and Senior Center calendars are too full of events to include all their events so we tend to focus on the major events. Town and School meetings are also kept separate. Links for all the calendars are shared here:

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

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 Library calendar of events ->    calendar link

The Senior Center calendar of events ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/node/39/events/month/39/2023-12

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 

The Franklin Art Association Art Gallery remains open for viewing (and purchasing the art displayed) during business hours at Escape into Fiction (Main St, Franklin)

Franklin's Event Outlook: April 12, 2023 to April 18, 2024

Friday, April 12

10:00am Knitting Group (Franklin Public Library)

1:00pm Animals in the Spring (Franklin Public Library)

7:30pm James Montgomery Band with the Daybreakers (THE BLACK BOX)

Saturday, April 13

10:00am Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

10:30am Animal Affair (Franklin Public Library)

2:00pm Holi Celebration (Franklin Public Library)

3:00pm April Fool’s Concert (Franklin Public Library)

6:00pm Silent Saturdays: "Metropolis" (Franklin Historical Museum)

Sunday, April 14

1:00pm Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

1:15pm Second Sunday Speaker (Franklin Historical Museum)

2:00pm Eid Celebration (Franklin Public Library)

Monday, April 15 - Tax Day/Marathon Monday/Patriots Day

be wishes to all the runners and their supports for a good running weather day

Tuesday, April 16

10:30am Toe Jam Puppet Band! (Franklin Public Library)

6:00pm Table Top (Franklin Public Library)

7:00pm Trivia Night (Raillery Public House)

7:30pm Voice of Franklin, part of Toastmasters International (Franklin TV Studio)

Wednesday, April 17

9:00am Fallen Hero: John J. Kell (Franklin Veterans Walkway, Town Common)

10:30am Ed Popielarczyk Magic Show (Franklin Public Library)

11:00am Franklin Q&A (Franklin Senior Center)

1:00pm Petite Picassos (Franklin Public Library)

Thursday, April 18

8:30am Town Council Office Hours (Franklin Senior Center)

10:30am The BenAnna Band! (Franklin Public Library)

1:30pm Thinking Money for Kids (Franklin Public Library)

5:30pm Teen Wire Wrapping Workshop (Franklin Public Library)

6:30pm How to Steal a Masterpiece (Franklin Public Library)

7:00pm Community Coffee Conversations: One Franklin (Birchwood Bakery)

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

Why have multiple calendars?

There is a Cultural events calendar upon which other community events are layered to create the Community calendar.

Respectfully, the Library and Senior Center calendars are too full of events to include all their events so we tend to focus on the major events. Town and School meetings are also kept separate. Links for all the calendars are shared here:

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

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 Library calendar of events ->    calendar link

The Senior Center calendar of events ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/node/39/events/month/39/2023-12

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 

The Franklin Art Association Art Gallery remains open for viewing (and purchasing the art displayed) during business hours at Escape into Fiction (Main St, Franklin)

Franklin's Event Outlook: April 12, 2023 to April 18, 2024