FPAC: The Black Box Sings Celine

Franklin Performing Arts Company will present “THE BLACK BOX Sings… Céline Dion” on Saturday, Aug. 8, at 7:30 p.m., according to event listings published by THE BLACK BOX and local outlets. The cabaret-style concert is scheduled to be held outside at THE BLACK BOX in downtown Franklin, Massachusetts, not in Franklin, New Hampshire as stated in some preliminary materials. Organizers say the show is part of the venue’s summer concert series and will feature FPAC performers singing songs associated with Dion. In case of bad weather, the performance will move indoors, according to the event listing. ### Where is this concert actually happening? THE BLACK BOX lists the venue at 15 West Central St. in Franklin, Massachusetts, and describes itself as the home of the Franklin Performing Arts Company. The venue says it hosts theatrical productions, concerts and special events in a flexible downtown performance space. BroadwayWorld’s event listing also places the Aug. 8 performance in Franklin, Massachusetts. (theblackboxonline.com) That matches notices published by Franklin Matters and Franklin Observer, both of which describe the concert as part of THE BLACK BOX’s local summer lineup. ### Who is scheduled to perform the Céline Dion tribute? Franklin Observer reported that the tribute show will be led by Brendan Jacob Smith, Maria Sylvia Norris and Paige Martins. (theblackboxonline.com) The same report said the cast also includes Hayley Driscoll, Ali Funkhouser and Hallie Wetzell, along with six FPAC student apprentices. Brendan Jacob Smith is identified in the listing with credits including “The Simon and Garfunkel Story,” “America’s Got Talent” and T.3. (broadwayworld.com) Franklin Observer lists Norris with credits including “Beetlejuice,” “Sister Act” and Disney Cruise Line, while Martins is identified as a band vocalist with Holland America and Seabourn cruise lines. (franklinobserver.town.news) ### What kind of show is FPAC putting on? THE BLACK BOX says the Aug. 8 event is an outdoor concert built around songs associated with Céline Dion. The venue listing says a cast of Franklin Performing Arts Company favorites will “pay tribute to the legendary vocalist,” with both table seating and general seating available. Franklin Matters described the program as the return of a “beloved summer concert series” presented outside “under the stars.” That language appears across multiple postings tied to the event and aligns with THE BLACK BOX’s broader summer schedule. (franklinobserver.town.news) ### What do ticket buyers need to know before they go? THE BLACK BOX says the performance begins at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 8 and that seating is sold in table and general-admission formats. (theblackboxonline.com) The venue also says the concert will be moved inside if weather conditions require it. Purplepass identifies Franklin Performing Arts Company as an Actors’ Equity small professional theater company and 501(c)(3) organization based at THE BLACK BOX. (franklinmatters.org) That organizer page is used for ticketing and event sales for FPAC and THE BLACK BOX programming. ### How does this fit into THE BLACK BOX summer lineup? THE BLACK BOX homepage lists the Céline Dion tribute between an Aug. 7 Chris Stapleton-themed show and an Aug. 14 Bob Seger tribute. (theblackboxonline.com) The venue’s calendar also includes “A Starry Night” on Aug. 15 and “Finding Nemo the Musical” on Aug. 21 and 22. Aug. 8 is the next scheduled date for this specific Céline Dion program, according to the venue calendar and reminder posts published this week. (purplepass.com) Tickets and updated event details remain available through THE BLACK BOX and associated event pages ahead of Saturday’s performance. (theblackboxonline.com)