Bluegrass
August 1
The Franklin Theatre to Host Broadway Bound Bluegrass Musical JOHNNY & the DEVIL’S BOX in Concert
The concert, written by Franklin, TN residents Douglas Waterbury-Tieman and Annabelle Fox, will feature veterans of the stage and screen.
The Franklin Theatre will play host to a concert version of JOHNNY & THE DEVIL’S BOX, a Broadway-bound bluegrass musical, on September 16th, 2022.
Written by Franklin, TN local and Belmont University graduate Douglas Waterbury-Tieman, and boasting a creative team of Broadway veterans, including Scott Wasserman (Hamilton, Dear Evan Hansen, The Great Comet) and Jennifer Jancuska (Hamilton), JOHNNY & THE DEVIL’S BOX tells the story of a boastful fiddle player who attracts the attention of the Devil in his aim to prove his skills.
“Johnny & The Devil’s Box is an exciting and unique opportunity for The Franklin Theatre to present world-class performing arts experiences to our community,” said Eric Dilts, Managing Director of The Franklin Theatre. “Audiences will love its lively, bluegrass score, conceived right here in the heart of Middle Tennessee. We are honored to be part of the development history of this highly praised new musical theatre work and look forward to watching this musical become a hit in Tennessee and beyond.”
“We have such a history with the Franklin Theatre, having performed there many times over the years with Studio Tenn,” said Waterbury-Tieman. “Now to be able to bring our original music to the stage with such an incredible cast of guest artists is an incredible honor. We can’t wait to watch the audience tap their feet to the fiddle in our very favorite theatre.”
The musical’s journey began locally at Belmont University where Waterbury-Tieman conceived of the work, along the way presenting a 29-Hour reading with Studio Tenn. Momentum quickly gained for the show until plans for a production at the Tony Award Winning Goodspeed Opera House were put on hold due to the pandemic’s shut down of Broadway. The Franklin Theatre’s engagement is an opportunity to present a distinct concert interpretation of the show for audiences prior to its full production Regional Premiere this November at the Cumberland County Playhouse in Crossville, TN.
The Franklin Theatre concert will feature Waterbury-Tieman alongside his wife Annabelle Fox (No Strings Off Broadway Revival), Matthew Carlton (The Doyle and Debbie Show, Nash Rep’s Ragtime), Rachel Potter (X-Factor; Broadway’s Addams Family, Evita), A.J. Smith (The Kelly Clarkson Show), Jake Speck (Broadway’s Jersey Boys; Nashville), with more to be announced. The supporting band will feature Zach and Maggie White, Laura Ray and Ben Jones, with Matt Logan serving as Consulting Producer.
Tickets can be found at www.franklintheatre.com/johnny-devils-box. Tickets are also available by calling 615-538-2076, or visiting the box office at 419 Main Street, Franklin, TN.
May 28
Jumping Into June
Jumpin’ junebugs! Summer is just about here, and June kicks it off at The Franklin Theatre with a full calendar of music, movies and live theater to quench your thirst for entertainment. Here’s a full list of what’s happening in June (more movies to be added as well):
LIVE THEATER
ACT TOO PLAYERS PRESENTS:
FRI 5/31 7 pm: The Wizard of Oz (Non-Musical)
SAT 6/1 12 pm: The Addams Family
SAT 6/1 4 pm: A Chorus Line School Edition
SAT 6/1 7:30 pm: Lucky Stiff
SUN 6/2 12 pm: Lucky Stiff
SUN 6/2 4 pm: A Chorus Line
SUN 6/2 7 pm: The Addams Family
DORIS DAY MINI-FILM FEST
MON 6/3 7 pm: “Pillow Talk” (1959)
TUE 6/4 4 pm: “Calamity Jane” (1953)
TUE 6/4 7 pm: “Please Don’t Eat the Daisies” (1960)
WED 6/5 4 pm: “Calamity Jane” (1953)
WED 6/5 7 pm: “Pillow Talk” (1959)
MON 6/10 7 pm: “Calamity Jane” (1953)
TUE 6/11 4 pm: “Please Don’t Eat the Daisies” (1960)
TUE 6/11 7 pm: “Pillow Talk” (1959)
WED 6/12 4 pm: “Calamity Jane” (1953)
WED 6/12 7 pm: “Please Don’t Eat the Daisies” (1960)
THU 6/13 4 pm: “Pillow Talk” (1959)
THU 6/13 7 pm: “Please Don’t Eat the Daisies” (1960)
SUN 6/30 3 pm: Nashville Opera Presents: “Sing-A-Long-A Sound of Music”
FEATURED MUSIC
Noam Pikelny & Stuart Duncan
FRI 6/28 7 pm
You may not know who they are – much less spell their name – but Noam Pikelny & Stuart Duncan are some bluegrass power to be reckoned with.
NOAM PIKELNY has emerged as the preeminent banjoist of his generation. He is a founding member of Punch Brothers and was awarded the first annual Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass in 2010 in addition to IBMA’s Banjo Player of the year in 2014 and 2017. Universal Favorite (Rounder Records, 2017) is the fourth record Noam Pikelny has released under his own name, but it’s truly his solo debut. His previous solo efforts-including 2014’s landmark Noam Pikelny Plays Kenny Baker Plays Bill Monroe-were full-band affairs that revealed his abilities as a dynamic bandleader while reinforcing his reputation as an inventive accompanist – with both albums receiving Grammy nominations.
Multi-instrumentalist STUART DUNCAN has built upon his bluegrass roots to become an artist who defies categorization and surpasses the limits of any specific genre. The consummate sideman, Duncan has lent his taste and tone to countless artists and projects. Whether trading dizzying instrumental licks with the likes of Béla Fleck and Jerry Douglas, or adding complimentary fills for vocalists Alan Jackson and Barbra Streisand, Duncan has found a professional “home” both in the studio and on tour. His playing and influence can be heard among many of today’s top hit makers, from British singer-songwriter Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin to American rock band Panic! at the Disco.
Hearing the sound of “Sold Out” is music to our ears, though we hate for you to miss the fun. You can always call our Box Office and request to have your name added to a waiting list for a show – 615-538-2076, boxoffice@franklintheatre.com.
JUNE LIVE MUSIC:
THU 6/6 8 pm: Keifer Sutherland – SOLD OUT
FRI 6/7 8 pm: Keb’ Mo’ – SOLD OUT
SAT 6/8 8 pm: Keb’ Mo’ – SOLD OUT
SUN 6/9 8 pm: Keb’ Mo’ – SOLD OUT
FRI 6/14 8 pm: BJ Thomas – SOLD OUT
SAT 6/15 8 pm: BJ Thomas – SOLD OUT
THU 6/20 8 pm: Jimmie Vaughan – SOLD OUT
FRI 6/21 8 pm: Paul Thorn Band with Special Guest Bonnie Bishop – Limited Tickets
SAT 6/22 8 pm: Paul Thorn Band with Special Guest Bonnie Bishop – Limited Tickets
SAT 6/28 8 pm: Noam Pikelny & Stuart Duncan
Visit FranklinTheatre.com or Call 615-538-2076 for full schedule of events and to purchase tickets.
All Music and Movies Produced by the The Franklin Theatre Presented By Jackson National Life
December 3
Sierra Hull – Christmas Time is Here
Award-winning, bluegrass sensation Sierra Hull brings her “Christmas Time is Here” tour to the Franklin Theatre Saturday, December 8th at 8 pm. She’s partnering with Toys for Tots and Second Harvest Food Bank seeking to ease the stress of the holidays for the less fortunate. Each attending fan who donates an unwrapped toy, canned foods, or makes a monetary donation to the local food bank on-site will receive a free signed Weighted Mind (Hull’s latest release, a GRAMMY-nominated record) poster while supplies last. Together, with her band (Justin Moses, Kai Welch, Eddie Barbash, Ethan Jodziewicz, and Jamie Dick), Hull aims to bring Christmas joy to all– those attending the shows and those in need this December.
CLICK HERE for tickets and more information. For toy donation specifics, please visit Toys for Tots.
MORE ABOUT SIERRA HULL:
Sierra Hull’s positively stellar career started early. That is, if you consider a Grand Ole Opry debut at age 10, called back to the famed stage a year later to perform with her hero and mentor Alison Krauss to be early. She played Carnegie Hall 
at 12; at 13 signed with Rounder Records and issued her debut, Secrets, and garnered the first of many IBMA nominations for Mandolin Player of the Year. She played the Kennedy Center at 16 and the next year became the first bluegrass musician to receive a Presidential Scholarship at the Berklee College of Music. As a 20-year-old, Hull played the White House.
She found inspiration in Krauss, Ricky Skaggs, and Sam Bush. And, just as importantly, affirmed her own sense of identity in the album covers of Rhonda Vincent, the queen of bluegrass. She heard the words of her parents, prepping her for life’s big moments yet to come, repeatedly instilling the mantra: Hard work, more than anything, will get you somewhere. It certainly did.
In 2010, Hull captured her first IBMA award for Recorded Event of the Year. She was shedding the prodigy tag, turning virtuoso, and releasing her second album, Daybreak, with seven of her own original compositions.
By 2016, Hull had reached a more mature place in her life and in her art. She tapped legendary bluegrass musician Bela Fleck to produce her third album, Weighted Mind. A departure from her opening pair of records that blended progressive elements with traditional structure, Hull let go of whatever preconceptions existed– both hers and those of her audience– and birthed a GRAMMY-nominated masterpiece.
Enlisting bassist Ethan Jodziewicz (and Fleck on two cuts), and harnessing vocal contributions from Krauss, Abigail Washburn, and Rhiannon Giddens, Hull trusted her foundation of influences to support this artistic leap. Months later she was taking home the IBMA award for Mandolin Player of the Year. After a near-decade of consecutive noms, Hull broke that last glass ceiling, becoming the first woman to win the prestigious title. Of all the numerous awards and achievements Sierra Hull has earned, that one occupies a special place on the mantel. Then she took home a pair to join it, winning again in 2017 and 2018.
Hull has maintained a rigorous touring schedule, as well. Even when off the road, she is frequently guesting with friends and legends, joining such icons as the Indigo Girls, Garth Brooks, and Gillian Welch, and performing at the Country Music Awards in 2018 with Skaggs, Brad Paisley, and Marty Stuart.
She says she’s ready, now, for something new. Currently in the midst of work for the follow-up to Weighted Mind, her next album will consist of all original songs. Beyond that, there are tantalizing ideas she won’t divulge for collaborations and, perhaps, an all-instrumental record. There is a plan, but not a timetable, which is just fine.
SIERRA HULL – CHRISTMAS TIME IS HERE
FRANKLIN THEATRE
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8 – 8 PM
January 2
Music at the Franklin Theatre in 2018
Happy New Year!
Our goal is to continue creating experiences that connect, enrich, inspire and entertain our patrons, artists and community. We hope you’ll come visit us soon for a magical night of music. Yes, we do believe a little magic happens once you walk through our doors.
Take a look at what’s on the calendar:
Charlie Worsham (1/27) – Tickets
Rodeo & Juliet Featuring Michael Tait Singing the Songs of Nat King Cole (2/2) – Tickets
A.J. Croce (2/3) – Tickets
3rd Annual Grassroots of Grassland (2/9) – Tickets
Exile (2/10) – Tickets
Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder (2/15 – 2/16) – Tickets
Suzy Bogguss (2/17) – Tickets
Indigo Girls (2/22) – ON SALE 1/5
Mary Gauthier (2/23) – Tickets
Sierra Hull (2/24) – Tickets
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver (3/2) – Tickets
Hal Ketchum (3/3) – Tickets
Charles Esten (3/10) – SOLD OUT
Pam Tillis (3/16) – Tickets
Martin Sexton (4/6) – Tickets
Bruce Cockburn (4/21) – Tickets
For questions and to purchase tickets, please call our Box Office at 615.538.2076 or click on ticket links above. You can also view our full show listing here.