FPAC Announces Little Women Cast

Katie Gray

The Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC)’s 2024-25 season will conclude with the musical adaptation of Little Women 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 NYC, Boston, Providence, and local talent.

NYC’s Katie Gray leads the cast as Jo March, the character based on Alcott herself. Gray is joined by Rhode Island-based actress Myranda Rose Silva as Meg, Boston’s Anissa Perona as Beth, and Marymount Manhattan College Musical Theater rising senior Hayley Driscoll as Amy. The cast also stars Miracle Myles of the Hadestown national tour as Laurie, NYC’s Robbie Rescigno as Professor Bhaer, and Boston’s Andrew Scott Holmes as John Brooke.

Little Women features FPAC favorites Kellie Stamp as Marmee, Nick Paone as Mr. Laurence, and Kim Frigon as Aunt March. The show’s ensemble includes college musical theater students Macie Hoben and Jason Robert Warner as well as three FPAC Student Apprentices from the Franklin School for the Performing Arts: Ani Corkran, Hailey Hulbig, and Alina Kanakry.

Based on Louisa May Alcott's life, Little Women follows the adventures of sisters Jo, Meg, Beth, and Amy March. Jo is trying to sell her stories for publication, but the publishers are not interested – her friend, Professor Bhaer, tells her that she has to do better and write more from herself. Begrudgingly taking this advice, Jo weaves the story of herself and her sisters and their experience growing up in Civil War America. Little Women embodies the complete theatrical experience, guaranteeing a night 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.

Tickets for Little Women are available at FPAConline.com or by calling the box office at 508-528-3370. Follow Franklin Performing Arts Company and THE BLACK BOX on Facebook and Instagram for updates on programming. 

 

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Saturday, May 3, 2025 ???

Saturday, May 3

** FYSA fund raiser at BOTH Franklin Honey Dew locations

 

 

Library events

9am Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church) Closed Today

10am Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

6:30pm Italian film Festival - "Roman Holiday" (Franklin Historical Museum)

7pm Cinco De Mayo (La Cantina Winery)

7pm High School Musical Jr (Franklin High School)

For additional details on Library & Senior Center events ->   

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

**  NO  Town Meetings today   **

 

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

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

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, May 2, 2025 ???

Library & Senior Center events

Friday, May 2

** Tri-County: Support the Class of 2026 & Enjoy Panera Bread

10:00am Knitting Group (Franklin Public Library)
1:00pm Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church)
6:00pm High School Musical Jr (Franklin High School)
7:00pm CAFE MURDER (THE BLACK BOX)
7:00pm Dance Senior Showcase (Dean College Main Stage Theater)

For additional details on Library & Senior Center events ->   

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

**  NO  Town Meetings today   **

 

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

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

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

Footlighter's Production of High School Musical Jr scheduled May 2 & May 3

High School Musical Jr scheduled May 2 & May 3

Please come support your love of theatre and our Franklin Middle School Footlighters in their production this weekend of High School Musical Jr. at Franklin High!

Click the link below for tickets and more information!

https://givebutter.com/Footlighters25

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1HbHmUhH9R/

"Little Women" set performances at THE BLACK BOX on June 6 to June 8

For the final production of our 2024-25 season, FPAC is excited to present the musical adaptation of Little Women June 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. Jo is trying to sell her stories for publication, but the publishers are not interested – her friend, Professor Bhaer, tells her that she has to do better and write more from herself. Begrudgingly taking this advice, Jo weaves the story of herself and her sisters and their experience growing up in Civil War America. 

 

at THE BLACK BOX on June 6 to June 8

Little Women embodies the complete theatrical experience, guaranteeing a night 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. 

📚Directed by Ali Funkhouser with Musical Direction by Hallie Wetzell! 

🎟️Tickets on sale NOW at FPAConline.com or by calling the box office at 508-528-3370!  Or directly -> https://theblackboxonline.com/little-women/

FHS Theatre Co to perform "Urinetown (The Musical)" in June

Via FHS Theatre Co 

"Urinetown (The Musical)" on June 13 & 14

"Urine good company in FHSTC’s audience, and our next production is no exception! On June 13th and 14th, FHSTC will be performing URINETOWN (The Musical) for our final production of the 2024-2025 season!

Looking to get more involved? Auditions are this wednesday at 2:15 in the FHS auditorium! for more information look at or join our google classroom (Code: LFPDOST)! We hope to see you there!

For more updates on this production, keep an eye out on all of our social media! We hope to see you in the audience in June!"

Shared from ->   https://www.instagram.com/p/DH4NLL-PIez/

YMCA holding auditions for performance of "Rock of Ages"

auditions for performance of "Rock of Ages"

Calling All Rock stars! Date: Tuesday, March 25th, 2025 Time: 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM (by appointment)  

Location: Mansfield Arts & Education Center, 40 Balcom St, Mansfield, MA Contact Emily at emilyh@hockymca.org for more info or Sign up Now at https://qrcodes.pro/YNaDH9.

Shared from ->   https://x.com/HockomockYMCA/status/1903752385081598312

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Saturday, March 15, 2025 ???

Saturday, March 15

* "Look Up" Gallery (Franklin Public Library during open hours)

9:00am Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church) 

9:30am Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) (Franklin Public Library) 

10:00am Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

7:00pm Country Dance: Reels and More! (First Universalist Society Franklin)

7:30pm FPAC: Mel Brooks "The Producers" (THE BLACK BOX)

For additional details on Library events ->    

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

** NO Town Meetings today   **

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

Why are there multiple calendars?

What's happening today in Franklin? 

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:

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 Library calendar of events ->    calendar link

The Senior Center calendar of events ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37&showPastEvents=false

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-calendars

FPAC Announces Cast for Mel Brooks’ The Producers

The Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) is excited to announce the cast of Mel Brooks’ The Producers running March 14-23 at THE BLACK BOX in Franklin, MA. The production is directed by FPAC Artistic Director Raye Lynn Mercer, with choreography by Associate Director Broadway’s Clay Rice-Thomson (Moulin Rouge!, KING KONG, Matilda, Newsies), and music direction by Hallie Wetzell. 

The Producers is a Mel Brooks comedy full of adult humor and innuendo. Audience discretion is advised.

(L-R) Nick Paone, Paul Rescigno, Katie Mariko Murray

Leading the cast are FPAC’s Nick Paone as Max Bialystock and NYC’s Paul Rescigno as Leo Bloom. They are joined by NYC’s Katie Mariko Murray (Disney’s Frozen on tour) as Ulla, Anthony Fett (Disney’s Beauty and the Beast on tour) as Roger DeBris, Robert Mintz as Carmen Ghia, and Franklin favorite Timothy Ayres-Kerr as Franz Liebkind.

The ensemble is made up of artists from NYC, the Boston-Providence-Franklin area, and Musical Theater students from Dean College: Andrew Scott Holmes, Casey Harkness Andrade, Melissa Baratta, Elijah Bondar, Marissa J. Browning, Nya Dekrines, Heather Dorler, Shaina Dunn, Charley Eastman, Kim Frigon, Julia Lavoie, Alex LeBlanc, David Livingston, Conor Meehan, Caroline Merten, Anissa Perona, Myranda Rose Silva, Kellie Stamp, Jason Robert Warner, and Isis Wilson.

Joining the ensemble on stage at THE BLACK BOX are FPAC Student Apprentices from the Franklin School for the Performing Arts: Elena Baker, Ani Corkran, Helena Cornwell, Devin Curley, Brodie DeAngelis, Devin DeAngelis, Baree Frigon, Kayla Hoben, Hailey Hulbig, Madeleine Jacomme, Katherine LeBlanc, Matthew Packard, Kate Settle, Angelina Willey, and Michael Wirkus.

The plot of The Producers is simple: 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 (all "little old ladies") out of millions of dollars. Only one thing goes awry: the show is a smash hit. The antics of Max Bialystock and Leo Bloom as they maneuver their way fecklessly through finding a show, hiring a director, raising the money and finally going to prison for their misdeeds is a lesson in broad comic construction. At the core of the insanely funny adventure is a poignant emotional journey of two very different men who become friends. With a truly hysterical book co-written by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan (Annie) and music and lyrics by Mr. Brooks, The Producers skewers Broadway traditions and takes no prisoners.

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

Tickets for The Producers are available at FPAConline.com/tickets or by calling the box office at 508-528-3370. Follow Franklin Performing Arts Company and THE BLACK BOX on Facebook and Instagram for updates on programming.

Kimberly Akimbo comes to Boston with FSPA Broadway Faculty Members

This cast features FSPA Broadway Faculty Members Emily Koch  @embkoch as Debra and Jim Hogan @jimhogan220 as Buddy  

"A new musical about growing up and growing old (in no particular order), KIMBERLY AKIMBO is the winner of 5 Tony Awards including BEST MUSICAL. It features Tony Award-winning book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire (Shrek), a Tony Award-winning score by Jeanine Tesori (Fun Home), choreography by Danny Mefford (Dear Evan Hansen) and direction by Tony-nominated director Jessica Stone.

Kimberly is about to turn 16 and recently moved with her family to a new town in suburban New Jersey. In this “howlingly funny heartbreaker of a show” (The New Yorker), Kim is forced to navigate family dysfunction, a rare genetic condition, her first crush … and possible felony charges. Ever the optimist, she is determined to find happiness against all odds and embark on a great adventure."

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

Tickets available ->    https://www.emersoncolonialtheatre.com/events/kimberly-akimbo/

BFCCPS schedules performances of "Annie" for March 7-9

BFCCPS schedules performances of "Annie" for March 7-9

 

"You can now pre-purchase tickets, place an ad in the program or send well wishes to the cast & crew. 

Please visit this site for all the details! -> https://www.bfccps.org/apps/s/?s=12777"

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Saturday, December 21, 2024 ???

Saturday, December 21

• Fiber Art Installation (Franklin Public Library)
• Fresh Floral Holiday Arrangements 4 Sale (via Instagram) 
• Franklin Art Association, Art Show & Sale (Norfolk Public Library)

9:00am Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church)

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

10:00am Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

10:00am Rise Up Holiday party (Franklin United Methodist Church)

1:00pm Fairytale Fun (Franklin Public Library)

2:00pm 'Tis the Season (Franklin High School)

5:00pm Holiday Charcuterie Workshop (Birchwood Bakery & Kitchen)

7:00pm The Fourtet (live music) (La Cantina Winery)

7:30pm 'Tis the Season (Franklin High School)

8:00pm Country Christmas Band (Teddy Gallagher's Irish Pub)

8:00pm Karaoke (Raillery Public House)

**   NO  Town Meetings today   **

What's happening today in Franklin? 

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

Why are there multiple calendars?

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:

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 Library calendar of events ->    calendar link

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

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

Dean College POM team vs Teddy Gallagher's in Musical Bingo - Today at 7 PM

Dean College POM team vs Teddy Gallagher's

 

"Come join us tomorrow night in support of the Dean Pom Team! 

We will be having specialty cocktails and Whalers Brewing Company in the house! 

Starts at 7pm. @deancollegepom

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/DCCwOZYRF-8/

Local Kids to Perform Alongside Broadway Star in School of Rock at FPAC

Liam Fennecken

The Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) will open their 2024-25 Season with School of Rock - The Musical starring Broadway’s Liam Fennecken October 18-27 at THE BLACK BOX in downtown Franklin, MA. Fennecken will play Dewey Finn, a role he played on the Broadway Tour of School of Rock. 

The production will be directed by FPAC Artistic Director Raye Lynn Mercer and Broadway’s Clay Rice-Thomson (Moulin Rouge, Matilda, Newsies, King Kong), with choreography by Rice-Thomson and music direction by FPAC’s Resident Music Director Hallie Wetzell. 

A cast of talented young local actor-musicians from MA and RI have been selected to play Dewey’s “band”: Scotty Kippenhan (Rockland, MA) as Zack on guitar, Colette Lelievre (Bellingham, MA) as Katie on bass, Owen Charles (Franklin, MA) as Freddy on drums, Grayson Kerrigan (Norfolk) as Lawrence on keys, and Aida DiChiara (Franklin, MA) as Summer the band manager. Portraying the other musical students of Horace Green in School of Rock are Hayley Pezza (East Greenwich, RI), Matthew McGuirl (Millis, MA), Helena Cornwell (North Attleboro, MA), Baree Frigon (Franklin, MA), Hailey Hulbig (Franklin, MA), Ani Corkran (Northridge, MA), Liam Kerrigan (Norfolk, MA), Whitney Williams (Montague, MA), Bella Pereira (Mendon, MA), and Rowan Vadenais (Woonsocket, RI). 

Local Kids to Perform Alongside Broadway Star in School of Rock at FPAC

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. There he turns a class of straight–A pupils into a guitar-shredding, bass-slapping, mind-blowing rock band. But can he get them to the Battle of the Bands without their parents and the school’s headmistress finding out? With its sensational live kids’ rock band, School of Rock - The Musical is a loving testimony to the transforming power of music. 

Liam Fennecken recently starred in Broadway’s Chicago as Amos Hart. He toured the US and South Korea in School of Rock, and has toured North America with Once, American Idiot, and Peter Pan 360. He is a member of the viral a cappella sensation “T.3” with whom he performed on America’s Got Talent. Fennecken is joined by NYC actress Ali Funkhouser as Principal Rosalie Mullins and Boston’s David Livingston and Anissa Perona as Ned and Patty. Rounding out the adult cast are NYC, Boston, and local performers as well as Musical Theater majors from Dean College: P.T. Mahoney, Melissa Baratta, Michael Baratta, Elijah Bondar, Kim Frigon, April Lisette, Connor Meehan, Nick Paone, Kylie Parsons, Kellie Stamp, and Isis Wilson. 

Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) is an Actors’ Equity Association Small Professional Theater. Each season, FPAC produces musicals, plays, ballets, and more featuring Broadway stars, professional and regional performers, and emerging artists. Tickets for School of Rock and FPAC’s entire 2024-25 Season are available now at FPAConline.com or by calling the box office at 508-528-3370. 

Get your tickets for the SCHOOL OF ROCK starring Broadway’s Liam Fennecken at THE BLACK BOX in October

Don’t miss SCHOOL OF ROCK starring Broadway’s Liam Fennecken @liamfennecken this October at FPAC!

Tickets on sale NOW at FPAConline.com or by calling the box office at 508-528-3370!

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 – The Musical October 18-27 at THE BLACK BOX! Directed by FPAC Artistic Director Raye Lynn Mercer with choreography by Broadway’s Clay Rice-Thomson (Moulin Rouge!, King Kong, Matilda, Newsies), and Music Direction by Hallie Wetzell.

SCHOOL OF ROCK starring Broadway’s Liam Fennecken

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. There he turns a class of straight–A pupils into a guitar-shredding, bass-slapping, mind-blowing rock band. But can he get them to the Battle of the Bands without their parents and the school’s headmistress finding out? With its sensational live kids’ rock band, School of Rock – The Musical is a loving testimony to the transforming power of music. May the spirit of rock be with all who pledge allegiance to Lloyd Webber’s newest hit!

‼️Content Warning: School of Rock – The Musical is based on the movie of the same name which was rated PG-13. The show contains some adult language and humor.

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/DAbsP1KxQZA/