Performing Arts

Review: “Women in Jeopardy!” at Theater III

October 25, 2025

Theater III held the opening night of “Women in Jeopardy!” by Wendy MacLeod this past Saturday. Cast and crew both came out of the gate running with a seamless execution of the “wine mom comedy”. In the play, tensions are rising in a group of middle-aged divorcees as Mary and Jo become convinced that their long-time friend Liz’s new boyfriend is a serial killer. Their antics had the audience laughing along from the start. Underneath their fear for Liz’s wellbeing, the real source of conflict between the women is in their chase for youth and exploration of sexuality. Jo (Karla…

Review: Benefit concert for Cuba by Sol y Canto

November 1, 2025

by Meg Stafford

Sol y Canto, a pan-Latin ensemble whose mission includes “connect[ing] us all to our hopes and visions of a better world,” performed in Boxborough on Saturday, October 25. Our reviewer reflects: The moment Sol y Canto comes onstage, one is greeted by the exuberance and uncontained joy that…

Acton fetes Fourth with food, fireworks, and Thirty6 Red

July 12, 2025

by James Conboy

July 4, NARA Park, Acton. Whether fans arrived early for the music of Thirty6 Red, or later for just the fireworks, they were rewarded with perfect weather for Acton’s annual patriotic bash. But many might have found it to be worth the trip just for the food truck…

Music review: Diamond’s music sparkles

July 12, 2025

by Meg Stafford

Pianist Molly Flannery, long time performer at the Acton Jazz Cafe, hosted a house concert at her Littleton home for Harvey Diamond, her teacher, mentor, and jazz icon, along with New York-based double bassist Cameron Brown, and Cuban-born drummer Francisco Mela. On a sweltering Sunday at the end…

Concerts on the lawn return to the library

June 21, 2025

by Miriam Lezak

Acton Memorial Library’s summer music season kicked off on June 12 with a concert by singer-songwriter Rodney Mashia. Mr. Mashia, who was raised in rural Louisiana but now lives in Maine, entertained a small but enthusiastic audience on a gorgeous summer evening. Mr. Mashia played a variety of…

Acton residents shine at 2025 AANHPI Heritage Festival on Boston Common

June 7, 2025

by Ying Dong

On Sunday, May 25, 2025, the 2025 AANHPI [Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander] Heritage Festival took place at the Parkman Bandstand on Boston Common. Hosted by the New England Chinese American Alliance (NECAA), MA250, the Red Sox, the Asian Pacific American Public Affairs, United Chinese Americans…

Puppet-powered musical brings Mo Willems’ Pigeon to Theatre III

June 7, 2025

by Jen Lewy

What happens when a determined bird wants to drive a bus? Audiences will find out June 14 and 15 at Theatre III in Acton, MA, when Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical! brings Mo Willems’ beloved picture book to life—this time, with puppets. Tickets are…

Empowering Voices: Concord Conservatory’s Singing With Parkinson’s Chorus

May 3, 2025

by Sara Seng

Imagine a world where your own voice, once a natural expression of self, begins to diminish, to fade. This is a reality for many living with Parkinson’s disease, a condition that can impact vocal abilities and overall well-being. Acton resident Helena Chan faced this challenge. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s…

Standing ovations for “The Prom” as Open Door Theater’s inclusive production continues

March 22, 2025

by Jen Lewy

Open Door Theater opened its latest musical production on Friday, March 21, with “The Prom: School Edition,” which runs for six performances from March 21-30, 2025, at the Dragonfly Theater in R.J. Grey Junior High School in Acton. The musical follows four Broadway stars who travel to a…

Open Door Theater is going to Prom, March 21-30

March 8, 2025

by The Acton Exchange Team

Open Door Theater of Acton, one of the only integrated and accessible theater troupes in the country, will stage the Tony Award-nominated musical, “The Prom: School Edition” onMarch 21-30. “The Prom: School Edition” will bring a timely message of inclusion, self-determination, and courage to audiences during its run…

Review: Nashoba Valley Chorale considers, “What is This Thing Called Love?”

February 8, 2025

by Meg Stafford

What is this thing called love? In a departure from their usual more classical programming, The Nashoba Valley Chorale (NVC) addressed this iconic question by performing modern madrigals composed by John Rutter in honor of jazz great George Shearing’s birthday, Songs of the Rose by Lauridsen, and a…

Review: Acton-Boxborough Winter Concert highlights music, tradition, and a surprise performance

December 21, 2024

by Jen Lewy

The Acton-Boxborough Regional High School’s Winter Concert on December 17 filled the auditorium with holiday spirit, showcasing the talents of over 275 student musicians. The evening brought together beloved seasonal classics, impressive performances, and an unexpected treat that capped off the event on a joyful note. A celebratory…

Music review: Nashoba Valley Chorale sings Vaughn Williams’ Dona Nobis Pacem

November 22, 2024

by Meg Stafford

“Music and the arts are a reflection of our times. Life may seem hopeless and dark, but there is hope for the future. The cacophony of war gives way to the harmony of peace.” These words from Alex Rogers, the president of the Cambridge Symphony Orchestra, opened the…

Music feast with Audra McDonald at Groton Hill

September 14, 2024

by Meg Stafford

There are times when a performance is so captivating that the audience is bonded together, and with the performer, by an undeniable gravitational pull. Such was the case as Audra McDonald charmed us on Friday, September 6 at Groton Hill Music. A pro from start to finish, she…

Fleetwood Mac tribute band performs July 12 as NARA Park concert series continues

July 26, 2024

by Karen Herther

A summer Friday saw the sun setting on NARA Park in Acton as Tusk, a highly regarded Fleetwood Mac Tribute band, performed for a crowd of over a thousand concertgoers on July 12. The Town of Acton Recreation Summer Concert Series continued after a record number of attendees…

And the bands play on: Pink Floyd tribute band performs July 19

July 26, 2024

by James Conboy

About one thousand concertgoers (a small fraction of the Independence Day concert) enjoyed perfect weather and a full moon as they watched the Pink Floyd tribute band Into the Floyd, and a full production laser light show, from the grassy hillside at NARA Park on July 19. The…

A poster wtih a drawing from the book Click, Clack, Moo: Cows that Type.In the poster, two cows, two chickens, and a duck are staring at an old-fashioned manual typewriter.

More cows come to Acton–to Theatre III

June 14, 2024

by Ruth Bendig

The animals on Farmer Brown’s farm in Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type at Theatre III in West Acton, have been trying to convince Farmer Brown to do something to fix up his drafty barn. He doesn’t take them seriously, so after some debate they form a union…

A group of adults stand on a church dias, looking like they are ready to burst into song.

Acton Community Chorus celebrates 40 years

May 7, 2024

by Beth Imhoff

“I always come away from rehearsal feeling centered and connected. It’s a much needed joy!” — Stacey Charbonneau “I sing to connect with all family and friends, past and present, with whom I have raised my voice in joy, protest, sadness and hope.” — Diana Wasserman “When we…

There’s No Place Like our Hometown’s Open Door Theater

March 23, 2024

by Alissa Nicol

Open Door Theater’s 2024 production, The Wizard of Oz, opened on Friday, March 15 at the Dragonfly Theater located at the RJ Grey Junior High School on Charter Road. The matinees on both Saturday and Sunday were sold out, with groups attending from the Perkins School, The Learning…

Oliver Klein and service dog Quimby, actor Juliana Sena and actor Maddie Freeman (Tin Man)

Open Door Theater Continues to Make Theater Accessible on Both Sides of the Curtain

March 15, 2024

by Michelle Shoemaker

Preparing a typical musical theater production requires an incredible amount of preparation from the cast and crew. Producing a fully accessible theater production includes preparing for many additional details related to special performances and accommodations for cast, crew and patrons. Training the entire cast and crew on best…

Author Martin Gitlin speaks at the Senior Center. Photo credit: Greg Jarboe.

A funny program about funny programs: The Greatest Sitcoms of All Time

March 14, 2024

by Greg Jarboe

On March 7, 2024, award-winning author and pop culture historian Martin Gitlin hosted a fun and enlightening presentation based on his book, The Greatest Sitcoms of All Time. He is the only author to rank the best of the best, including I Love Lucy, The Honeymooners, The Andy…

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Performing Arts

Review: “Women in Jeopardy!” at Theater III

Review: Benefit concert for Cuba by Sol y Canto

Acton fetes Fourth with food, fireworks, and Thirty6 Red

Music review: Diamond’s music sparkles

Concerts on the lawn return to the library

Acton residents shine at 2025 AANHPI Heritage Festival on Boston Common

Puppet-powered musical brings Mo Willems’ Pigeon to Theatre III

Empowering Voices: Concord Conservatory’s Singing With Parkinson’s Chorus

Standing ovations for “The Prom” as Open Door Theater’s inclusive production continues

Open Door Theater is going to Prom, March 21-30

Review: Nashoba Valley Chorale considers, “What is This Thing Called Love?”

Review: Acton-Boxborough Winter Concert highlights music, tradition, and a surprise performance

Music review: Nashoba Valley Chorale sings Vaughn Williams’ Dona Nobis Pacem

Music feast with Audra McDonald at Groton Hill

Fleetwood Mac tribute band performs July 12 as NARA Park concert series continues

And the bands play on: Pink Floyd tribute band performs July 19

More cows come to Acton–to Theatre III

Acton Community Chorus celebrates 40 years

There’s No Place Like our Hometown’s Open Door Theater

Open Door Theater Continues to Make Theater Accessible on Both Sides of the Curtain

A funny program about funny programs: The Greatest Sitcoms of All Time

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