Showing posts with label THE BLACK BOX. Show all posts
Showing posts with label THE BLACK BOX. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 30, 2025

The Music of Dolly Parton comes to THE BLACK BOX - Saturday, August 2

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 sponsored by Berry Insurance.

THE BLACK BOX Sings… Dolly Parton on August 2nd at 8:00 PM at THE BLACK BOX. Outside under the stars, a cast of Franklin Performing Arts Company favorites will pay tribute to the living legend. Table seating and general seating are available. In case of inclement weather, the event will be moved inside.

(L-R) Norris, Perona, & Funkhouser
(L-R) Norris, Perona, & Funkhouser
From singing barefoot on the front porch of her Tennessee Mountain Home to commanding the stage in six-inch heels, Dolly Parton is a larger-than-life living legend with a heart as big as her dreams. She is one of an elite group of individuals to receive at least one nomination from all four major annual American entertainment award organizations; Emmy, GRAMMY, Oscar, and Tony. Enjoy the songs that have captured the hearts of generations this summer at THE BLACK BOX.

August 2nd’s concert features Maria Sylvia Norris (Beetlejuice the Musical on tour), Boston’s Anissa Perona, NYC’s Ali Funkhouser, and a cast of talented local singers and students/alumni of the Franklin School for the Performing Arts

The concert series will continue on August 23rd with THE BLACK BOX Sings… The 2024-25 Broadway Season, celebrating the music of all the new shows and revivals that opened on Broadway this past year. 

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. 

Tuesday, July 29, 2025

FPAC Searching for Kids to Star in ANNIE and PETER AND THE STARCATCHER

The Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) is seeking young local actors ages 8-18 to complete their casts for their October production of Annie and November production of Peter and the Starcatcher at THE BLACK BOX. 

Children’s Auditions for both shows will be held on September 6th from 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM at THE BLACK BOX located at 15 W. Central Street in Franklin, MA. Those auditioning for Annie are asked to prepare 16-32 bars of a musical theater song and those auditioning for Peter and the Starcatcher are given the option of preparing a brief monologue or reading one provided at the audition. Sign-ups for audition time slots are open now at FPAConline.com/auditions

FPAC Searching for Kids to Star in ANNIE and PETER AND THE STARCATCHER
FPAC Searching for Kids to Star in ANNIE
and PETER AND THE STARCATCHER
Those auditioning for both shows are asked to sign up for two slots in the same “group” when possible. For full character descriptions and instrument information, visit FPAConline.com/auditions. All questions regarding the audition/casting process can be emailed to FPACcasting@gmail.com

Annie will be directed by FPAC Artistic Director Raye Lynn Mercer, choreographed by Broadway’s Clay Rice-Thomson (Moulin Rouge, Matilda, Newsies, King Kong), with music direction by FPAC’s Resident Music Director Hallie Wetzell. The production runs October 17-26 at THE BLACK BOX. Peter and the Starcatcher will be directed by NYC’s Ali Funkhouser and run November 21-23 at THE BLACK BOX. 

FPAC is a professional regional theater (Actors’ Equity SPT Tier 1). The casts and creative teams are made up of Broadway stars, professionals from NYC and Boston, local talent, and student apprentices. All performers 18 (high school) and under cast in FPAC productions appear as “Student Apprentices.” 

The FPAC Student Apprentice program gives students of the arts a chance to share the stage with and be directed/choreographed by Broadway stars and New York, Boston, and local professional artists. A learning experience in the world of professional regional theater, Student Apprentices are sometimes called upon to assist FPAC’s Stage Management team and crew with things like technical rehearsals, upkeep of THE BLACK BOX space, and more. 

Based on the popular comic strip by Harold Gray, Annie has become a worldwide phenomenon and was the winner of seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The beloved book and score by Tony Award winners, Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin, features some of the greatest musical theatre hits ever written, including “Tomorrow.” 

Peter and the Starcatcher is a play with music that upends the century-old story of how a miserable orphan comes to be The Boy Who Would Not Grow Up (a.k.a. Peter Pan). From marauding pirates and jungle tyrants, to unwilling comrades and unlikely heroes, Peter and the Starcatcher playfully explores the depths of greed and despair… and the bonds of friendship, duty, and love.

Tickets for FPAC’s entire 2025-26 Season will be available soon at FPAConline.com or by calling the box office at 508-528-3370. 

Friday, July 25, 2025

Auditions for roles in FPAC’s productions of Annie and Peter and the Starcatcher!

 Announcing auditions for kids ages 8-18 for roles in FPAC’s productions of Annie and Peter and the Starcatcher

Auditions for roles in FPAC’s productions of Annie
Auditions for roles
Auditions will be held on Saturday, September 6th from 10:00am-1:00pm at THE BLACK BOX (15 W. Central St.). 

Sign-ups for audition slots will open Friday, July 25 at FPAConline.com/auditions

If you are auditioning for both shows, please sign up for 2 consecutive time slots. Callbacks for both shows and an invited dance call for Annie will be held later in the day. 

All performers 18 (high school) and under cast in FPAC productions appear as “Student Apprentices.” For more information on FPAC’s Student Apprentice program, email FPACcasting@gmail.com 

Auditions for roles in FPAC’s productions of Annie
Auditions for roles


Auditions for Adult Roles (AEA and non-AEA) and the rest of FPAC’s Season will be available soon!



Thursday, July 24, 2025

TBB Sings… Dolly Parton on August 2 AND TBB Sings… The 24-25 Broadway Season on August 23

TBB Sings… Dolly Parton on August 2nd at 8:00 PM and TBB Sings… The 24-25 Broadway Season on August 23rd at 8:00 PM at THE BLACK BOX outside under the stars! Table seating and general seating are available. In case of inclement weather, the event will be moved inside.

TBB Sings… Dolly Parton
TBB Sings… Dolly Parton
On August 2, a cast of FPAC favorites will pay tribute to the living legend: Dolly Parton! From singing barefoot on the front porch of her Tennessee Mountain Home to commanding the stage in six-inch heels, Dolly Parton is a larger-than-life living legend with a heart as big as her dreams. She is one of an elite group of individuals to receive at least one nomination from all four major annual American entertainment award organizations; Emmy, GRAMMY, Oscar, and Tony. Enjoy the songs that have captured the hearts of generations this summer at THE BLACK BOX!   Tickets -> https://theblackboxonline.com/the-black-box-sings-dolly-parton/

TBB Sings… The 24-25 Broadway Season
TBB Sings… The 24-25
Broadway Season


On August 23, a cast of FPAC favorites will pay tribute to the shows featured on Broadway this past year! Enjoy music from new shows like Death Becomes Her, Maybe Happy Ending, and BOOP!, to this year’s revivals of classics like Once Upon a Mattress, Sunset Boulevard, and Gypsy. Tickets -> https://theblackboxonline.com/the-black-box-sings-the-2024-2025-broadway-season/

Tuesday, July 8, 2025

FSPA Senior Voice Recital Aug 3 at THE BLACK BOX

FSPA Senior Voice Recital Aug 3 at THE BLACK BOX
FSPA Senior Voice Recital Aug 3
at THE BLACK BOX

The FSPA School of Music is proud to present a Senior Voice Recital featuring
  • Elena Baker (student of Tim Ayres-Kerr)
  • Devin Curley (student of Tim Ayres-Kerr, April Ball, and Anissa Perona)
  • Devin DeAngelis (student of April Ball and Hallie Wetzell)!


All are welcome to attend August 3rd at 4:00pm at THE BLACK BOX!



Sunday, June 22, 2025

Franklin Performing Arts Company announces their next season


ANNIE | OCT. 17-26 | 
Based on the popular comic strip by Harold Gray, Annie has become a worldwide phenomenon. Directed by FPAC Artistic Director @rayelynnmercer with choreography by Broadway’s @clayricethomson (Moulin Rouge, Matilda, Newsies, King Kong), & Music Direction by @halliejw . Featuring “Sandy” the dog from Berloni Theatrical Animals!

Franklin Performing Arts Company announces their next season
Franklin Performing Arts Company
announces their next season
PETER AND THE STARCATCHER | NOV. 21-23 | 
Directed by @alifunk , the play upends the century-old story of how a miserable orphan comes to be The Boy Who Would Not Grow Up (aka Peter Pan). Featuring 12 actors portraying over 100 characters, Peter and the Starcatcher uses ingenious stagecraft & the limitless possibilities of imagination to bring the story to life.

STEEL MAGNOLIAS | JAN. 23-25 | 
Before the iconic 1989 film broke box office records nationwide, Louisiana salon owner Truvy first set up shop on the stage. Directed by Robbie Rescigno, through laughter, tears, & a thick fog of hairspray, the colorful cast of regulars and employees that frequent Truvy’s establishment face trials & triumphs armed with their greatest strength: each other.

INTO THE WOODS | MAR. 13-22 | 
Directed by Raye Lynn Mercer, the story follows a baker & his wife, who wish to have a child; Cinderella, who wishes to attend the King’s Festival; & Jack, who wishes his cow would give milk. Everyone’s wish is granted, but the consequences of their actions return to haunt them later with disastrous results. 

ONCE | JUN. 5-7 | 
Directed by Raye Lynn Mercer, on the streets of Dublin, an Irish musician and a Czech immigrant are drawn together by their shared love of music. Over the course of one fateful week, an unexpected friendship & collaboration quickly evolves into a powerful but complicated love story, underscored by emotional music including the Oscar-winning “Falling Slowly.” 

FPAC Holiday Productions will mount our annual production of The Nutcracker DEC. 6-7 & Humbug! DEC. 20-21!

Tickets available soon online at https://theblackboxonline.com/


Friday, June 20, 2025

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Friday, June 20, 2025 ???

Friday, June 20

Library & Senior Center events
Library & Senior Center events
9:00am Fallen Hero: Edward A. Kelly (Veterans Walkway, Franklin Town Common)

10:00am Knitting Group (Franklin Public Library)

1:00pm Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church)

2:00pm Farmers Market (Franklin Town Common)

3:00pm The Jazz Quartet (live music) (Franklin Town Common)


7:30pm Jamie Barrett (live Music) (Bog Iron Brewing, Norton)
7:30pm Electric Youth 2025 Bon Voyage (THE BLACK BOX)
8:00pm Jennifer Tefft (live music) (Quarterdeck, Falmouth)


For additional details on Library & Senior Center events ->   




**  NO Town Meetings today   **


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


What's happening today in Franklin?
What's happening today in Franklin? 
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

Thursday, June 19, 2025

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Thursday, June 19, 2025 ???

Thursday, June 19 = Juneteenth

8:30am State & Town Officials Office Hour (CANCELED)
5:00pm Board Game Night (Pete's Nerd Emporium)
7:00pm 350 Mass Greater Franklin Node Meeting (First Universalist Society Franklin)
7:00pm BEN 4 Franklin Mtg (This session canceled)
7:30pm Musical Bingo (Teddy Gallagher's Irish Pub)
7:30pm Electric Youth 2025 Bon Voyage (THE BLACK BOX)

**  NO Town Meetings today   **



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


What's happening today in Franklin?
What's happening today in Franklin? 
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

Tuesday, June 17, 2025

Electric Youth tour of Europe 2025

Electric Youth tour of Europe 2025
Electric Youth tour of Europe 2025
The Electric Youth head off to tour Europe. Before they do, you have a few chances to catch a performance.



Sunday, June 8, 2025

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Sunday, June 8, 2025 ???

Sunday, June 8

** Fakes and Forgeries Exhibit (during Open Hours of Franklin Historical Museum) (Day 2/16)

** MBTA Shuttle Bus from Forge Park to Readville

8:00am Franklin PMC Kids Ride (Jefferson Elementary School)
11:00am Sunday Brunch (Teddy Gallagher's Irish Pub)
1:00pm Franklin Historical Museum (always free) 
2:00pm FPAC: Little Women (THE BLACK BOX)
8:00pm Sunday at Sunset (St John's Episcopal Church)


Note: Library is closed on Sunday per summer hours, and due to budget cuts will not reopen on Sundays in September



** NO Town Meetings today   **


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


What's happening today in Franklin?
What's happening today in Franklin? 
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

Saturday, June 7, 2025

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Saturday, June 7, 2025 ???

Saturday, June 7

  • Fakes and Forgeries Exhibit (during Franklin Historical Museum Open Hours) (Day 1/16)
  • MBTA Shuttle Bus from Forge Park to Reaville

7:00am Franklin Rod & Gun Club's 2025 Fishing Derby
9:00am Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church)
10:00am Franklin Historical Museum (always free)
10:00am Walking Group (St John's Episcopal Church)
12:00pm Franklin Porchfest (30+ porches around Franklin, MA) 
6:30pm Free Concert featuring the Zajac Brothers at SAFE Cafe after Dark
7:30pm FPAC: Little Women (THE BLACK BOX)

For additional details on Library & Senior Center events ->   
** NO Town Meetings today   **


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


What's happening today in Franklin?
What's happening today in Franklin? 
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

Wednesday, May 21, 2025

Spring Rising Stars performs cabaret style at THE BLACK BOX on May 22

Spring Rising Stars performs cabaret style at THE BLACK BOX on May 22
Spring Rising Stars performs cabaret style

THE BLACK BOX
presents a crowd favorite with its Spring Rising Stars. Talented young singers, ages 11-18, deliver powerful performances of pop and rock songs in a cabaret setting.







Monday, May 12, 2025

FPAC Launches Partnership with Rodman for Kids

The Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) is thrilled to announce the launch of a new partnership with Rodman for Kids. FPAC, Franklin’s professional theater company, will partner with Rodman for Kids’ Theatre for Kids program which breaks down barriers to make the performing arts accessible for all kids, regardless of socioeconomic background or ability, introducing them to new dreams and life-changing experiences. 
FPAC Launches Partnership with Rodman for Kids
FPAC Launches Partnership
with Rodman for Kids

Rodman for Kids will fill an entire house of a matinee performance of Little Women the Broadway Musical at FPAC on June 7, 2025.

Following this special performance of Little Women, there will be a talkback with the cast and creative team giving the young audience a chance to ask questions and learn about the process of putting on a professional musical. After the talkback, the kids will go next door to the Franklin School for the Performing Arts to play theater games with members of the Little Women cast. 

Rodman for Kids’ Theatre for Kids program makes the performing arts accessible, giving every child the opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of the performing arts. In the kids’ own words, Theatre for Kids experiences are “mind blowing.” "This partnership with FPAC is tremendously exciting as we look to deepen our engagement with our kids. The access to talkbacks, workshops, and other opportunities to make the magic of theatre tangible and accessible makes this such a powerful collaboration. We are thrilled to be bringing our youth to FPAC for Little Women, and look forward to exciting additional collaborations in the future,” comments Theatre for Kids Program Manager Bill Stiles. 

Rodman for Kids is breaking down barriers to provide access so that every child can develop their own relationship with performing arts and realize that all are welcome in this space. The program is on a mission to enrich its 100,000th kid with access to the theatre in 2025.

FPAC’s Artistic Director Raye Lynn Mercer remarks, “We look forward to growing this collaboration with Rodman for Kids’ Theatre for Kids and helping this fantastic program meet its short and long term goals. Little Women is a wonderful show with which to initiate our partnership!”

Little Women closes FPAC’s 2024-25 season running June 6-8 at THE BLACK BOX. The production is directed by NYC’s Ali Funkhouser with music direction by FPAC’s Resident Music Director Hallie Wetzell and features a cast of 15 actors from NYC, Boston, Providence, and beyond. Based on Louisa May Alcott's life, Little Women follows the adventures of sisters Jo, Meg, Beth, and Amy March. 

Little Women embodies the complete theatrical experience, guaranteeing an experience filled with laughter, tears, and a lifting of the spirit. The powerful score soars with the sounds of personal discovery, heartache, and hope – the sounds of a young America finding its voice. 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. 

Franklin Performing Arts Company is based at THE BLACK BOX located at 15 W. Central St. in downtown Franklin, MA. For more information on FPAC, visit FPAConline.com or call 508-528-3370. For more information on Rodman for Kids, visit rodmanforkids.org.  

Sunday, May 11, 2025

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Sunday, May 11, 2025 ???

Sunday, May 11 =  Mother's Day


9:00am Fallen Hero: Charles Christakes (Veterans Walkway, Franklin Town Common)
11:00am Sunday Brunch (Teddy Gallagher's Irish Pub)
1:00pm Franklin Historical Museum (always free)
1:15pm "The Pioneering Women of Franklin" (Franklin Historical Museum)
4:00pm Electric Youth (with Future Shock) (THE BLACK BOX)
7:00pm Rehearsal for Distinguished Young Women (Patti Eisenhauer Dance Center)



**  NO Town Meetings today   **
 

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


What's happening today in Franklin?
What's happening today in Franklin? 
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