Ali Funkhouser News

With socially distanced staging, Charlie Brown and the entire Peanuts gang explore life's great questions as they play baseball, struggle with homework, sing songs, swoon over their crushes, and celebrate the joy of friendship. The charming music and humorous vignettes brought to life by the beloved Peanuts characters, offer the laughs and entertainment we need right about now.

THE BLACK BOX, the region's premier theater, music, and event venue, will present a concert celebrating the music of the fifth longest running show in Broadway history: WICKED. THE BLACK BOX Sings...WICKED will star Broadway Elphaba Emily Koch with Jim Hogan singing Fiyero.

The Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA) will offer its annual Broadway Boot Camp this July for students Grades 8-12 with an additional option for Grades 1-7. This year's special guest instructors will be Ben Bryant and Lonnie E. Davis Jr.

The Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) has announced the initial casting for their March production of Legally Blonde the Musical. The production stars Broadway and NYC talent, local actors, students of the performing arts, and features Jerry Mitchell's original Broadway choreography. Also sharing the stage in Legally Blonde will be Frankie and Romeo from William Berloni Theatrical Animals in the roles of Bruiser and Rufus. Tony Award winner William Berloni and his handlers have provided animals of all species and sizes, found in shelters, humane societies or rescue leagues, for Broadway, off-Broadway, national tours, regional theaters, special events, the New York City Ballet, motion pictures, television, and commercials.

Broadway March Madness is coming to THE BLACK BOX, the region's premier theater, music, and event venue in downtown Franklin. Stars of Broadway will be in residence at THE BLACK BOX throughout the month of March.

The Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) has announced the initial casting for their March production of Legally Blonde the Musical.

On Saturday, July 27 at 8 pm, BLACK BOX Cabaret presents "I Only Wanna Laugh," an evening of musical shenanigans with Ali Funkhouser, The ACME Rhythm Section, and violinist Irina Fainkichen.

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 current Broadway production. Enjoy the memorable songs of Kristen and Robert Lopez in concert on Tuesday, August 6 at 7:00 pm at THE BLACK BOX located at 15 W. Central St. in downtown Franklin. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for teens, $10 for youth 6-12, and $5 for kids 5 and under. 

THE BLACK BOX, Franklin's premier theater, music, and event venue, will present The 50s: A Musical Tribute on Friday, May 3 with two seatings at 7:00 and 8:45 pm. Hosted by Raye Lynn Mercer and featuring popular local singers and a Boston-based band, the concert will pay tribute to the music of the Fifties. The audience is encouraged to enjoy trivia and games, sing along, and dress for the decade.

They're the Kings of New York! Meet the cast of the Franklin Performing Arts Company production of Disney's Newsies! Photos shot in New York, NY by Ali Wonderly. The production stars Christopher Rice as Jack Kelly and features choreography by Chaz Wolcott.

Initial casting has been announced for the Franklin Performing Arts Company's upcoming production of Disney's Newsies running at THE BLACK BOX in Franklin, MA October 13,14 and 19-21. Broadway's Christopher Rice (The Book of Mormon) will star as Jack Kelly, Ali Funkhouser (nat'l tours of Joseph...Dreamcoat and Evita, The LEX's Legally Blonde) will play Katherine Plumber, and Nick Paone (TheaterWorks USA, Cabaret) will appear as Joseph Pulitzer. The production will be choreographed by Broadway cast member Clay Thomson (Newsies, Matilda). Additional casting will be announced at a later date.

Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) presents The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee this Today, June 1, and Saturday, June 2, at 8 p.m. at THE BLACK BOX in downtown Franklin. Winner of the Tony and Drama Desk Awards for Best Book, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee has charmed audiences across the country with effortless wit and humor. The PG-13 tale of six socially awkward mid-pubescents finding joy, heartache and a purpose in competing at the regional spelling bee features a fresh and vibrant score by William Finn and an irreverent and wildly funny book by Rachel Sheinkin.

Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) presents The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee this Friday, June 1, and Saturday, June 2, at 8 p.m. at THE BLACK BOX in downtown Franklin. Winner of the Tony and Drama Desk Awards for Best Book, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee has charmed audiences across the country with effortless wit and humor. The PG-13 tale of six socially awkward mid-pubescents finding joy, heartache and a purpose in competing at the regional spelling bee features a fresh and vibrant score by William Finn and an irreverent and wildly funny book by Rachel Sheinkin.

The Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) presents the hit family musical, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, opening this weekend at THE BLACK BOX in downtown Franklin. Staged for six performances, show times are Saturday, March 10 at 2:00 and 7:30; Sunday, March 11 at 2:00; Friday, March 16 and Saturday, March 17 at 7:30; and Sunday, March 18 at 2:00. Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is a colorful and uplifting show for audiences of all ages.

The Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) is pleased to announce initial casting for the upcoming production of the hit family musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Andrew Scott Holmes will play the title role of Joseph, with Ali Funkhouser as The Narrator.

THE BLACK BOX presents a special holiday season show, 'Gifts of Song,' featuring Kate Grom and Ali Funkhouser, today, December 16 at 8 p.m.

THE BLACK BOX presents a special holiday season show, 'Gifts of Song,' featuring Kate Grom and Ali Funkhouser, on Saturday, December 16 at 8 p.m.

Broadway's original Elle Woods, Laura Bell Bundy, returned to her hometown of Lexington, Kentucky to co-direct The LEXington Theatre Company's production of Legally Blonde. The Tony nominated actress teamed up with The LEX Artistic Director Lyndy Franklin Smith (A Chorus Line, The Little Mermaid), for her directorial debut. Check out highlights from the show below!

Broadway's original Elle Woods, Laura Bell Bundy, returned to her hometown of Lexington, Kentucky to co-direct The LEXington Theatre Company's production of Legally Blonde. Legally Blonde, the third mainstage production from The LEXington Theatre Company, opened last night, and features original choreography by Jerry Mitchell, recreated and adapted by Brooke Engen (Gypsy, Hairspray) and Tiffany Engen (Legally Blonde), as well as original Broadway cast members Kevin Pariseau and Chico the Chihuahua. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

The LEXington Theatre Company presents its third summer production, combining "Today's Broadway Stars and Tomorrow's Broadway Hopefuls." Lexington's own Laura Bell Bundy (Tony-Nominee for Legally Blonde), will be on hand to co-direct the show (schedule permitting), alongside The LEX Artistic Director, Lyndy Franklin Smith (A Chorus Line, The Little Mermaid). The production will feature the Tony-nominated original Broadway choreography, by Jerry Mitchell, recreated and adapted by Brooke Engen, (Gypsy, Hairspray) and Tiffany Engen (Legally Blonde).