When the curtain rises on “Humbug!,” a contemporary musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” presented by FPAC Holiday Productions, several local families will share the stage.

The FPAC original features sets of parents and their children, siblings, and friends that are like family as part of a large ensemble cast of over 100 professional artists, community performers and students of the arts.

“Live theater creates a space where we can come together and have a collective experience,” says Mireille Eastman, mother of two “Humbug!” student cast members Ameline and Emmett Eastman. She has previously also performed in the production along with her husband, Charley Eastman, and all three of their children. “We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be involved in ‘Humbug!’ as a family. Sharing our passion for live theater with our children has brought us all closer together.”

The show also features mother/daughter pairs Kylie and Edna Bodiya, Kim and Baree Frigon, Lindsay and Lila Hartman, Kristin and Polly Palson, and Robin and Zoey Tucker. Siblings Christopher and Owen Charles, Katie and Helena Cornwell, Jenna and Anna Cusano, Julia and DJ Ormond, Brodie and Devin DeAngelis, Aida and Julian DiChiara, Kayla and Macie Hoben, Liam and Grayson Kerrigan, Matthew and Shane Packard, and Charlotte and Katherine Weldon all perform together as well as married couples Tim and Liz Ayres-Kerr and Greg Leach and Michele Webster. 

Youth development in the arts is a special focus of FPAC, founded in 1991 by Artistic Director Raye Lynn Mercer. Productions provide ongoing opportunities for families to connect through the arts, with multiple generations sharing rehearsals and time on stage together.

A family favorite since debuting as part of FPAC’s 2008-09 season, “Humbug!” is conceived, written and directed by Franklin’s Nick Paone, who also stars as Scrooge. The musical features Dickens’ familiar characters and story, but re-imagines the classic tale in contemporary America for a modern audience with updated references to current events and pop culture. The storyline is supported by musical hits of many genres with live accompaniment by a 10-piece band of professional musicians.

“Humbug!” will be performed on Saturday, Dec. 16 at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday, Dec.17, at 2 p.m. at the Franklin High School auditorium.

Raye Lynn Mercer co-directs the production, with musical direction by Hallie Wetzell and choreography by Kellie Stamp, Mercer, and Paone. Tickets are available at www.FPAConline.com, or at (508) 528-3370. Remaining tickets will be sold at the door. 

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