Performing Arts

Open Door Theater takes flight with HONK!

March 14, 2026

Open Door Theater of Acton, one of the only integrated and accessible theater companies in the country, will stage the award-winning musical HONK! this March. HONK!, a musical telling of “The Ugly Duckling” story, is a heartwarming celebration of being different that is sure to delight audiences of all ages during its run next month at the Dragonfly Theater at R.J. Grey Jr. High School in Acton, MA. Ugly looks quite a bit different from his siblings, and others are quick to notice and point this out. Ugly is kind-hearted, awkward and innocent, and his journey of self-discovery is the…

Concord Orchestra presents musical ‘Vignettes’ with Holst, Telemann, and more

March 14, 2026

by The Acton Exchange Team

The Concord Orchestra presents “Vignettes” at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 28 and Sunday, March 29 at 2:30 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center at 51 Walden. The orchestra, conducted by Music Director Zeke Fetrow, performs a program of Gustav Holst’s “A Somerset Rhapsody”, Dmitri Shostakovich’s “Suite for…

Seeing a classic in a new way: Umbrella Stage Company presents “To Kill a Mockingbird”

February 14, 2026

by The Acton Exchange Team

CONCORD, Mass. – February 10, 2026 – Harper Lee’s 1960 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, “To Kill a Mockingbird,” sells nearly one million copies each year. But director Scott Edmiston says he is looking to create a uniquely theatrical retelling of the well-known book and film in a new stage…

Miss Sherlock brings mystery with a twist to Acton

January 24, 2026

by Grace Blaufuss

Theater III’s dress rehearsal of Miss Holmes showed great promise for the upcoming production. Despite the expected level of technical issues being ironed out, the actors powered through and delivered without any interruptions. Their feat is all the more impressive considering the complexity of the show. Sherlock Holmes…

Makes U Wanna makes Acton residents wanna dance

December 13, 2025

by Franny Osman

Acton-based band Makes U Wanna drew a full house at Dirigible Brewing in Littleton Saturday afternoon, December 6. Except for the cars lining the otherwise empty office park lot, you wouldn’t guess a rock and roll concert was underway inside, just beyond the hand-painted Dirigible sign. Makes U…

Acton-Boxborough Community Band performs show tunes

November 22, 2025

by Bill Ossmann

Thursday, November 13 was a wonderful evening for lovers of show music. The Acton-Boxborough Community Band, led by Conductor Dr. David Manuel Garcia, performed a concert they called “All the World’s a Stage”. The band performed in the Douglas/Gates cafeteria, presenting a program of music from well-known stage…

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…

Review: “Women in Jeopardy!” at Theater III

October 25, 2025

by Grace Blaufuss

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…

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…

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Performing Arts

Open Door Theater takes flight with HONK!

Concord Orchestra presents musical ‘Vignettes’ with Holst, Telemann, and more

Seeing a classic in a new way: Umbrella Stage Company presents “To Kill a Mockingbird”

Miss Sherlock brings mystery with a twist to Acton

Makes U Wanna makes Acton residents wanna dance

Acton-Boxborough Community Band performs show tunes

Review: Benefit concert for Cuba by Sol y Canto

Review: “Women in Jeopardy!” at Theater III

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

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