Musical

Ilyse Robbins is an Elliot Norton Award-winning Director and Choreographer who will be returning to The Umbrella this month with our new musical production, The Spitfire Grill. Robbins also directed and choreographed last season's rock musical, LIZZIE. 

Ilyse “took 5” with us during a busy holiday and rehearsal weekend to share her enthusiasm about the new show, which opens in previews April 25 and runs through May 18.

Following opening weekend, we sat down with Alex Boyle, Liliane Klein and Katie Pickett, three of the cast members of the musical Now. Here. This., running through November 17, 2024 in The Umbrella's Black Box Theater. 

Your character names are your own. What's it feel like playing yourselves and not yourselves?

The Full Monty director Leigh Barrett is a beloved Boston based actor, singer & director, having recieved two Independent Reviewers of New England (I.R.N.E) awards, three Elliot Norton Awards for Outstanding Actor, as well as the 2018 Elliot Norton Prize for Sustained Excellence.

Ilyse Robbins is an Elliot Norton Award-winning Director and Choreographer who is making her Umbrella Stage Company debut later this month at the helm of LIZZIE, the musical. 

We were able to “take 5” with Ilyse earlier this week during a rehearsal break to talk about all things LIZZIE.

TUA: How would you describe LIZZIE?

The Umbrella Stage Company is excited to announce a planned series of community activities to support and enrich theatergoers experience of this spring's production of The Color Purple.

Where: The Umbrella Arts Center 
When: Sunday, May 28th @ 3pm 
Potluck-style picnic on the lawn to follow the show 

As Tony Award Winner and Broadway superstar, Laura Benanti, is heading to Concord, MA for two-nights only here at The Umbrella Arts Center, she sat down for a frank and charming phone interview with Emelia Aragon, host of WERS' Standing Room Only. Excerpts of the interview will air on S.R.O. throughout the show, Saturday March 4 and Sunday March 5, during the station's ticket giveaway.

The Umbrella is thrilled to welcome back Set Designer Janie Howland to bring the boisterous world of Head Over Heels to life.  As the production gets ready to open on Friday night, April 15, we were lucky to grab a few minutes together…and a sneak peek of the magic happening behind the scenes. Janie had to get back to the stage quickly so we asked her 3 questions in 3 minutes…

1.      What excited you about working on HOH? 

Article by Pam Ellertson