Inside the stately 1929 former Emerson School building at 40 Stow Street, The Umbrella Stage Company’s recently constructed theater wing is a surprise and delight to all who discover one of the “best kept secrets” of the Greater Boston/Metrowest theater scene.
Since becoming a professional theater company in late 2019, The Umbrella Stage Company (the live theater division of The Umbrella Arts Center) has strived to produce high quality work. Its reputation has steadily grown as audiences begin to return to live theater.
The Company’s team of designers, directors, actors, and technicians work out of a new facility that broke ground in 2017 and opened in September 2019. One of the most exciting additions to the region’s performing arts landscape in the last decade, this facility houses two venues, the 350-seat main stage Theater 144 and a 100-seat flexible Black Box space. With state-of-the-art technology and acoustics, support spaces, and comfortable furnishings, the theaters have housed not only the Company’s “bold, daring and innovative” brand of theater productions, but also film screenings, headliner music concerts, and rental events ranging from the Thoreau Society meeting to a boutique guitar showcase.
Award-winning performance of The Minutes
Designed by OMR Architects with theatre consultant Don Hirsch, and built by CE Floyd, the main stage was specially created with high-end musical productions in mind. With its completely unimpeded sight lines, excellent acoustics, comfortable cushioned seating with cup holders for refreshments, and a fully remote digital orchestra pit, Theater 144 proudly boasts that there is literally not a bad seat in the house. Also designed for ADA accessibility, the theater includes multiple wheelchair seating areas and restrooms accessible by elevators. The Stage shows also offer assistive listening technology.
With its convenient location, beautiful visual arts galleries, free parking, and very reasonable ticket prices, it was only a matter of time before regional theatergoers began to discover “the secret” and word-of-mouth spread.
The unique performances and star talent featured at The Umbrella Arts Center and its Stage Company attract an ever-widening audience (superfans traveled from California for a chance to attend a concert by John Mayer in the intimate space) as well as critical attention. Since early 2024, Boston’s reviewers and professional awards committees have been making their way out to discover this “hidden theatrical gem” nestled inside the historic old Concord school building for themselves – with stunning results.
In its first full, uninterrupted season as a professional company, The Umbrella Stage Company earned six nominations for the Elliot Norton Awards – Boston’s version of the Tonys. More remarkably, these included nominations in three categories – Outstanding Musical (The Color Purple), Outstanding Play (The Minutes), and Outstanding New Script (Middleton Heights).
Secret no more, The Umbrella Arts Center and The Umbrella Stage Company have earned a reputation for a superior audience experience and continue to contribute greatly to Concord’s cultural richness. Fall is a beautiful time of year to discover this hidden gem for yourself. Visit TheUmbrellaArts.org for this season’s lineup and to reserve tickets!
Photos ©Jim Sabitus
*This article is made possible through the support of The Umbrella Arts Center