Jane Austen’s enduring love story is brought to life as a romantic-comedy musical. The story revolves around Emma, a well-meaning, but disaster-prone matchmaker, who ignores her own romantic feelings while setting out to find a suitor for her friend Harriet. Her efforts go awry, of course, leading to comic complications. We invite you to fall in love again with one of Jane Austen’s most adored characters, featuring an intelligent and buoyant score from Tony-nominated composer Paul Gordon (Jane Eyre). Gordon re-imagines the story in mid-century modern while keeping the language intact.

This production will run June 6-22, with performances Fri & Sat at 8PM, Sun at 3PM. Directed by Eric Roberts, with music direction by Matt Putman and choreography by Jill Tokac, the cast features

EMMA WOODHOUSE - Rachel Stigers

MR. KNIGHTLEY - Paul Spanagel

HARRIET SMITH - Betsy Flowers

MR. WOODHOUSE - Victor Brandalise

MISS BATES - Hannah Beth Lucero

JANE FAIRFAX - Clara Haymon

MR. ELTON - David Kleinman

MRS. ELTON - Patricia Kopko

MISS ELIZABETH MARTIN & EMMA u/s - Julia Stoddard

MR. WESTON - Ian Flynn

MRS. WESTON - Amanda O'Loughlin

FRANK CHURCHILL - Declan Geoffrion Scannell

ROBERT MARTIN & MR KNIGHTLY u/s - Brad Smith

Coming to a porch near you...Arlington's free, festive, one-day-only music extravaganza returns to our community in 2025! Arlington Center for the Arts is thrilled to be presenting Arlington Porchfest since 2016, where we have seen the event grow to over 300 performances throughout the day!

Since 2016, Arlington Porchfest has been uniting live music with community participation in a day-long celebration of the arts in Arlington. Porchfest is a grassroots music festival where bands play on front porches across town and people walk, bike or drive around to enjoy tons of free outdoor music, dancing, and visual art exhibits.

2025 Time Zones:

The dividing line for West and East is roughly identified as Arlington Town Hall

WEST ZONE 12-4PM
EAST ZONE 2-6PM

Live Arts Arlington’s Gas Station dance party returns with the Zydeco infused Squeeze Box Stompers to cap off Arlington Center for the Arts’ Porchfest, a townwide musical celebration. Free and family friendly!

Get your motor running at “GARAGE BAND” – the Arlington Porchfest “after party” featuring The Squeeze Box Stompers playing zydeco, Cajun and more that is sure to get you up and dancing!

Free and family friendly! 

Saturday, June 21st from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at Arlington Service Station, 334 Mass Ave (next to Walgreens just past Arlington Center) (Rain date is Sunday June 22nd)

The venue has easy access by walking, bike or the 77 MBTA bus.

Be sure to visit our stores and restaurants in Arlington while enjoying a day-long, townwide celebration of music during Arlington Porchfest, sponsored by Arlington Center for Arts.  Our local businesses are there along your way to get in some more music right along Mass Ave.

Visit ArtsArlington.org for more!

“GARAGE BAND” is a Signature Event of The Arlington Commission for Arts & Culture

As part of the Arlington 250 Celebration, this event is co-sponsored by The League of Women Voters, Cantilena Chorus and Arlington Friends of the Drama.

Film: "How Long Must We Wait"

Choral Performance: "Lifting as We Climb" Cantilena Chorus with Voices Rising & Guests

Audience Talk-back & Reception to Follow

This event is Free (but $10 donation is suggested and appreciated.)

MassOpera presents Handel’s Alcina in partnership with Horizon Ensemble

Our story begins with the heroic knight, Ruggiero, captured by the beautiful, but dangerous sorceress, Alcina, who reigns over a magical island and has a nasty habit for turning her enemies into beasts. Valiant Bradamante, Ruggiero’s steadfast fiancée, sets out on a quest to rescue her lover. Along her quest, there are complex love triangles, enchantments, seduction, and hidden identities. With electrifying vocal acrobatics woven throughout the score, this opera is sure to leave you spellbound!

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Join us at the July Arlington Author Salon! The salon theme is Finding Your Strength. Featured authors are Rebecca Arnold, Jean Duffy, and Milo Todd. The Arlington Author Salon is a free reading with a twist: each author’s presentation includes something special to tickle the senses. Music, paintings, photographs and more. Let yourself be transported with an immersive, literary experience. Thursday, July 10th at 7:30 p.m. at Kickstand Cafe, 594 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington Center. No advance sign up needed — just walk in! Supported by the Arlington Libraries Foundation.