Performing Arts - Page 2

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…

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…

Shine-A-Light event at Acton Memorial Library

Chinese New Year Celebrations in Our Community

February 28, 2024

Dani FengandKaiping Fu

Chinese New Year isn’t just celebrated in Chinatown in big cities; many Chinese bring their biggest holiday to their adopted home communities, in honor of their indigenous culture. In Acton and Boxborough, the Acton Chinese Language School has made it part of their mission since 2004 to create…

ActonTV Hosts Holiday Party

December 14, 2023

by Avantika Nautiyal

ActonTV hosted their Annual Meeting and Holiday Party on Wednesday December 6 at their offices at 16A Craig Rd. The staff and members of the Board of Directors put out a generous buffet for the guests. The studio was transformed into a festive cocktail party venue. The guests…

Young dancers in flowing skirts pose in a group

Latinos Group enjoys dances from a variety of Latin cultures

October 16, 2023

by Maribel Mendoza

The Acton Latino Family Network, founded by longtime Acton resident Zoila Ricciardi, serves as a welcoming haven for all Latinos and is dedicated to building a close-knit community while offering support to one another. The group has been meeting informally once a month at the Acton Memorial Library…

West Acton Oktoberfest Celebrates Community Spirit and Local Businesses

October 16, 2023

by Dr. Pam Jarboe

West Acton came alive on October 14 as residents and visitors gathered to celebrate the annual Oktoberfest. This highly anticipated event showcased the village’s greatest asset, its community spirit. In recent years, Oktoberfest has often not been held due to the pandemic and the renovations to Gardner Field…

Review: Asian Music Festival at NARA Park

August 25, 2023

by Kaiping Fu

On a rainbow-kissed Saturday evening after a summer rain, June 24, the Town of Acton hosted a splendid Asian music concert at NARA Park, part of the Town’s summer concert series. Asian families from the community and other residents, including children and grandparents, gathered on the grassy grounds…

Bugles Across America

August 6, 2023

by Alissa Nicol

Since September 2015, Acton residents have been gathering monthly at the Town Common for a monthly Bugles Across America service, a short memorial to those who lost their lives in service to our country. The service concludes with a live playing of “Taps” by two volunteer buglers. The…

Photograph of Boy Scout in uniform pushing a load of musical instruments.

Scouting for Instruments

July 2, 2023

by Groton Hill Music Center

by Groton Hill Music Center via Acton Newspaper Initiative Arjun Saulnier, a member of Boy Scouts Troop 284 of Acton, didn’t have to look far to find an Eagle Scout project that was a great fit. The recent Acton-Boxborough Regional High School graduate and longtime violin student of…

Two women in modern clothes and a man and woman in colonial clothing stand chatting in a cemetery, with U.S. flags in the background.

Acton Observes Memorial Day

June 9, 2023

by Franny Osman

Acton’s annual Memorial Day parade stepped off from the Acton-Boxborough Regional High School at 10:15 am on Monday, May 29, and headed toward Woodlawn Cemetery, with multiple marching bands, members of the Acton Select Board, state legislators, public safety officers, Acton Minutemen historic reenactors, and Scouts. The day…

Concord Players Recognizes RJ Grey Junior High Student’s Essay on Little Women

May 9, 2023