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In 2007, we almost lost the Franklin Theatre – forever!

But thanks to enormous support, the community saved a vital landmark and reinvented it as a world class performance venue.

But our work is not done.

Successful historic theaters require ongoing care and to plan for future costs of building repairs and equipment replacement the Franklin Theatre is instituting a modest “preservation fee” to be added to ticket prices effective November 1^st to help assure the high level of experience patrons have come to expect.

“In the near future we’ll need to replace carpets, make repairs to equipment as they happen and upgrade systems that allow us to present quality programming and talent,” says theater director Dan Hays.  “Adding a preservation fee to each ticket purchased will build a fund dedicated to major capital expenses and minimize emergencies down the road.”

After totally renovating the building which reopened in 2011, one of our focuses now is to assure it remains in good repair and state–of-the art for years to come.  General donations and ticket prices support programming and bring in the quality of talent the theater has become known for while the new preservation fee will be earmarked for major equipment repairs and building improvements.

The “preservation fee” will be added to the cost of all ticketed events regardless of whether purchased at the box office, by phone or online.

* Additional ticketing service fees are charged by Agile for online purchases only and not those purchased in person at the box office or by phone.

For more details about the new policy or information on coming events, please contact the Franklin Theatre at 615-538-2076 or visit www.franklintheatre.com.

The musical fairy tale mash-up “Into The Woods” runs October 17 through November 3 at the historic Franklin Theatre, including performances during Halloween, October 31 and downtown Franklin’s popular Pumpkinfest (October 26).

This colorful and clever convolution of fairy stories by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine debuted on Broadway in 1986 and became an instant classic, sustaining its popularity among audiences of all ages through numerous revivals and, coming Christmas Day of 2014, a Disney film adaptation.
“Into The Woods” is definitely a must see for the entire family. “There is so much to love about ‘Into The Woods’, whether you’re an adult, child, or child-at-heart,” said company Managing Director Jake Speck.

The plot intertwines story lines from classic fables and fantasies such as Little Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, Rapunzel and Cinderella. It begins simply enough with the quintessential fairy tale conundrum: everybody has a wish. And, as wishes in fairy tales are wont to do–(no spoilers here)–they all come true.

Act Two, however, is the yin to the yang—the reality check to the fairy tale.
“Happily Ever After,” after all, is just a matter of when the storyteller decides to say “The End.” What if, instead of merely riding off into the sunset—literally or figuratively—the characters were to continue? “Into the Woods” explores the aftermath of living out the wishes.

“That’s the poignant and amazing part,” shares Artistic Director Matt Logan. “It poses the question, ‘How often do we really even know what we want?’

“Watching these characters from our collective cultural memory discover their own stories and pursue them past their familiar fairy tale endings is both entertaining and deeply thought-provoking.”
As visuals go, Studio Tenn’s production will borrow less from the pages of a storybook and more from the pages of a yearbook. “Stylistically, we’re taking this production in a direction that’s more ‘retro’ than ‘fantasy,’” Logan explains.

Modern and vintage pop culture references will hearken back to the good ol’ days of your youth—whensoever that may have been. “Think of the ‘Napoleon Dynamite’ aesthetic,” Logan claims. Virtually an instant cult classic among millenials, the 2004 MTV film is set in a sort of surreal mishmash of decades—some ’80s here, some ’90s there, with a smattering of ’60s and ’70s—such that the viewer doesn’t quite know when exactly the story is supposed to have taken place.

Studio Tenn’s spin on Little Red Riding Hood reminds of film darlings “Little Miss Sunshine” and “Juno”: lingering in that delightful limbo of adolescent awkwardness. Cinderella’s stepsisters are much like Tina Fey’s “Mean Girls;” her “ball” is more a high-school prom.

The largely local cast includes Kayce Cummings as Cinderella, Susan Swindell Day as Cinderella’s Stepmother and Granny, Laura Matula as Lucinda, Susannah Smith White as Florinda, Kim Bretton as Baker’s Wife, Emily Tello Speck as Rapunzel and Harp, Nan Gurley as the Witch, Marguerite Lowell, as Cinderella’s Mother and Giant, Patrick Waller as Wolf and Cinderella’s Prince, Matthew Carlton as Mysterious Man and Jack’s Mother, Ross Bridgeman as Rapunzel’s Prince, Brent Maddox as the Baker and Garris Wimmer as Steward, along with New York’s Marissa Rosen as Little Red Riding Hood and Joey Barreiro as Jack. And another fresh, interpretive twist, the Narrator will be played by nine-year-old Gus O’Brien.

“Seeing the story unfold through a child’s eyes reminds us how we are all shaped by our own childhood validations,” Logan said. “In the end, it’s not so much about children as it is about the child that manages to endure in each of us—in our hopes, fears, dreams, expectations and imaginings.”
Studio Tenn’s “Into the Woods” runs October 17 through November 3 at the historic Franklin Theatre in downtown Franklin, Tennessee. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit FranklinTheatre.com or call the Franklin Theatre box office at (615) 538-2076.

FRANKLIN, Tenn. — The McCrary Sisters will perform at the historic Franklin Theatre on Saturday, August 2 with legendary gospel quartet The Fairfield Four and GRAMMY award-winning blues musician Keb’ Mo’.

The McCrary Sisters, the daughters of the late Rev. Samuel McCrary — one of the original members The Fairfield Four, have performed with country music greats like Johnny Cash and Wynona Judd. The sisters’ list of recording sessions, and long association with Bobby Jones TV show spans genres and generations. They have recently added their unique blend of vocals to recording projects for blues greats Robert Randolph and Jonny Lang and with country artists Eric Church for CMT 2012 Artist of the Year Awards Show. Other performances have included the 2011 and 2012 Americana Music Festival shows as well as sessions for the hit TV show Nashville.

Tickets for The McCrary Sisters with The Fairfield Four and special guest Keb’ Mo’ are on public sale now and start as low as $28.00 for classic seating.  They can be purchased at the Franklin Theatre box office (419 Main Street, Franklin, TN), online at www.franklintheatre.com or by calling 615-538-2076.

About the Franklin Theatre:

Built in 1937, the Franklin Theatre re-opened to the public on June 3 following a multi-year, multi-million-dollar restoration.  The Main Street landmark is owned and operated by the nonprofit Heritage Foundation.

For additional information contact:

Chelsey Reardon

chelsey@franklintheatre.com

615-538-2079

FRANKLIN, TENN. – The U.S. Green Building Council has awarded the Franklin Theatre in Franklin, Tenn. a silver-level Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certification for New Buildings and Major Renovations based on the building’s environmentally sustainable renovation design.  The doors of Franklin Theatre closed in 2007, only to reopen in 2011 as the community’s first LEED-certified historic restoration project in the county after an $8 million renovation led by the Heritage Foundation.

From L – R: Heritage Foundation President Cyril Stewart, Heritage Foundation Executive Director Mary Pearce, Franklin Theatre Sustaining Partner and Heritage Foundation volunteer Emily Magid and Franklin Theatre Director Dan Hays.

Hastings Architecture | greenSTUDIO worked with the Heritage Foundation to participate in the LEED certification program while restoring the Franklin Theatre.  Throughout the renovation process, 85% of construction waste was recycled.  Along with significant energy cost reduction and water use reduction, the building now features low-emitting paints, adhesives and sealants, and composite wood materials.

“The greenest building is the one that is already built. Adaptive reuse of buildings and preservation are often the best kinds of green development.”  Explained Andrew Orr, Sustainability Coordinator for the City of Franklin.  “Historic preservation not only contributes to Franklin’s sense of identity and vibrancy, but it also lessens the environmental impact.”

LEED is an internationally recognized certification system that is aimed at improving building performance in the areas that matter most – energy savings, water efficiency,

and reduced CO2 emissions.  Since The U.S. Green Building Council developed the LEED program in 1998, it has been continually improving to better represent and incorporate developing green building technologies.

“Historic preservation is the ultimate recycling project,” says Mary Pearce, Executive Director of the Heritage Foundation of Franklin and Williamson County.  “This renovation is part of a larger effort to make our community a more environmentally friendly place.  We are beyond proud that the Franklin Theatre is our first LEED-certified historical project.”  The official LEED certification plaque is currently displayed outside the entrance of the theatre at 419 Main Street.

About the Franklin Theatre:

Built in 1937, the Franklin Theatre re-opened to the public on June 3, 2011 following a multi-year, multi-million-dollar restoration.  The Main Street landmark is owned and operated by the nonprofit Heritage Foundation.

For additional information contact:

Chelsey Reardon

chelsey@franklintheatre.com

615-538-2079

All original tickets will be honored or refunded through Monday, July 8th.

Greetings,

We were just notified that The Pop Ups will have to cancel both their 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. performances tomorrow morning (Saturday, June 29th) at the Franklin Theatre due to travel complications. The concerts have been rescheduled for Saturday, August 10 at 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. All original tickets will be honored or refunded through Monday, July 8th. We regret any inconvenience this may create for ticket holders.

IF YOU HAVE TICKETS:

Your original ticket(s) will be honored for the August 10th date. If you wish to attend on August 10th no further action is needed; your tickets are automatically transferable.

If you are not able to join us for the rescheduled concerts, we will be more than happy to refund your ticket purchase in full through Monday, July 8th. (This date is set to allow time to re-sell tickets to other patrons.) To receive a refund, please e-mail Layne@franklintheatre.com or call the Franklin Theatre Box Office at (615) 538-2076.

After July 7th, we will assume you plan to attend the August 10th performance and ticket purchases will no longer be refundable. Please feel free to let us know if you have any other questions or related needs we can assist with.

We appreciate your patience and understanding.

Sincerely,

The Staff of the Franklin Theatre

25 June 2013 – Franklin, Tenn – Studio Tenn Theatre Company is replacing the first show of their upcoming season with a world premiere Hank Williams musical revue. Currently in the making, “The Hank Legacy: The Songs of Hank Williams” will run August 29 through September 15 at the Franklin Theatre. Season tickets are currently on sale at StudioTenn.com. Individual tickets will go on sale Thursday, July 4 at 10:00 a.m. All tickets previously purchased for “Hank Williams: Lost Highway” will be honored for this production.

For company principles Jake Speck and Matt Logan, the chance to produce an original tribute to the late great Hank Williams could not be passed up. Nashville natives themselves, Logan and Speck are “very interested in music and stories from this part of the country,” said Speck. “Our hometown played a significant role in Hank’s life and career; we’re extremely gratified by the opportunity to tip our hats to him our own way.”

While Speck and Logan have each been involved with the development of many new plays and musicals over their careers, this will be the first original production for Studio Tenn.

“It’s a great privilege to be able to create a new show with Studio Tenn’s own local and regional audience in mind,” said Logan, who, together with Speck, is creating the piece. Pair that with the unparalleled acoustics and “world class, up close” intimacy of the historic Franklin Theatre—nestled mere miles from Williams’ former residence in Leipers Fork—and you have “a recipe for an unforgettable entertainment experience that cannot, by definition, happen anywhere else.”

Unlike “Lost Highway,” “The Hank Legacy” is not biographical. The production will follow a “musical revue” format—much like last season’s highly lauded “Smokey Joe’s Cafe”—drawing on the vocal and instrumental talents of a troupe of eight actors. With no one player cast as Hank, the songs themselves will be the stars of this show.

“We think this approach showcases the extent to which Hank’s iconic music has truly permeated our culture,” Logan said. “His work still resonates—not just in the country music world, but throughout many genres of American popular music. To demonstrate his music’s versatility is to make a case for its enduring relevance.”

Speck and Logan hope that “The Hank Legacy: The Songs of Hank Williams” will be the first of multiple Studio Tenn originals.

“Our mission is to keep professional theatre alive and thriving in Middle Tennessee,” said Speck. “One means to that end is to stage well loved classic pieces with fresh, contemporary interpretations; another is to embrace opportunities to periodically contribute something new to the repertoire.”

“The Hank Legacy: The Songs of Hank Williams” opens August 29 at the Franklin Theatre, located at 419 Main Street in historic downtown Franklin. To purchase tickets or find out more about Studio Tenn and its productions, visit StudioTenn.com. To get involved as a sponsor or donor, email info@studiotenn.com.

Franklin, Tenn. — Brooklyn-based musical duo, The Pop Ups, will play the historic Franklin Theatre in Franklin, Tenn. on Saturday, June 29. The Pop Ups, members Jason Rabinowitz and Jacob Stein, received a GRAMMY nomination and a 2012 Parent’s Choice Award for their second album, Radio Jungle. This wildly imaginative album debuted in April and has since received praise from the Fids and Kamily Awards, held the #1 Single on SiriusXM’s “Kids Place Live” radio show, and others alike. The first of two shows will be at 9:30 a.m., followed by an 11:00 a.m. performance. Admission is $10 and free for children under the age of 2.

The Pop Up’s first release Outside Voices debuted in 2010 and laid the groundwork for Radio Jungle, which is an even more polished and approachable collection that displays the duos’ youthful spirit. Songs such as “Elephant” and “Math Rock” display the teachability of their music as well as the artistic potential of “Box of Crayons.” Time Out New York named them one of 2012’s Best 15 Bands for kids.

Just one of many upcoming plans for the kindie rock group, The Pop Ups will be joining Yo Gabba Gabba Live for their second tour together. Following Jason Rabinowitz’s six-month run in the Tony award winning Broadway production of One Man Two Guvnors, The Pop Ups will be doing a spring and summer concert tour as well as debuting their new puppet musical titled RADIO JUNGLE, a comedic, ecological scavenger hunt, which features songs from the GRAMMY nominated album.

Tickets for The Pop Ups are on public sale now. They can be purchased at the Franklin Theatre box office (419 Main Street, Franklin, TN), online at www.franklintheatre.com or by calling 615-538-2076.

About the Franklin Theatre:

Built in 1937, the Franklin Theatre re-opened to the public on June 3 following a multi-year, multi-million-dollar restoration.  The Main Street landmark is owned and operated by the nonprofit Heritage Foundation.

For additional information contact:

Chelsey Reardon

chelsey@franklintheatre.com

615-538-2079

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Non-profit Raises $63,000 for its Mission to Protect Children in County’s Court System

FRANKLIN, Tenn.—A Kix Brooks concert benefiting Williamson County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) raised $63,000 last month, money that will serve the non-profit organization’s mission to find safe and permanent homes for abused and neglected children in the court system. The funds were raised through ticket sales, corporate sponsorships and auction proceeds.

“Each contribution we receive goes directly to CASA’s vision of providing every child a secure and stable environment,” said Danielle McMorran, co-director of Williamson County CASA. “It also helps raise awareness of our work in the community. The CASA program doesn’t just benefit these children and their families—it affects each one of us, because those that we help are better equipped to become successful adults who no longer repeat the mistakes of their abusive caregivers.”

The non-profit organization’s annual “Voices for Children” fundraiser at the Franklin Theatre in downtown Franklin included a cocktail hour, live auction and a surprise appearance from country music star and Dancing With the Stars Season 16 contestant Wynonna Judd. An online auction, open for general participation, was held prior to the main event and contributed to raised monies.

Brooks and his full band rounded out the night, and entertained the audience with Brooks & Dunn songs and tunes from his own solo work, in a listening-room environment.

“Many of us have had a great opportunity to succeed, and a lot of these young people haven’t,” Brooks said. “If you spend a little time around them, you’ll realize these are the areas where we can really help society.”

“Voices for Children” is the organization’s biggest fundraiser of the year. Phil Plant, Ruth Gunning and Elizabeth Jewell were this year’s event chairmen, and the April 30 event raised $20,000 more than the non-profit’s 2012 benefit. Gold and silver sponsors for this year’s event were Jackson, CLARCOR, First Farmers, Barlow Builders, PwC, and Ernst & Young.

Williamson County CASA is an organization that advocates for the best interests of children in the judicial system, and works with volunteers to provide a permanent home for each one. The non-profit independently trains its volunteer members to investigate each situation, and report findings to the court.

For more information about its mission, or to learn how to volunteer, go to www.williamsoncountycasa.org.

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Contact Information:
Danielle McMorran, Williamson County CASA co-director
Danielle@williamsoncountycasa.org

The higher the expectations imposed, the greater the results achieved—according to the Pygmalion Effect. To conclude its astoundingly well-received third season, Studio Tenn Theatre Company is rising to the occasion by next tackling The Perfect Musical: Lerner and Loewe’s “My Fair Lady.”

The show runs May 16 through June 2 at the Franklin Theatre. Tickets are on sale now at FranklinTheatre.com and the Franklin Theatre Box Office, (615) 538-2076.

To cast their production of arguably the grandest musical of all time, Studio Tenn’s Artistic Director Matt Logan and Managing Director Jake Speck—both Broadway vets—looked no further than Nashville. “There is such a tremendous pool of talent right here in Music City,” said Speck, “and Studio Tenn embraces the opportunity to showcase that.”

A principle of Studio Tenn’s “Smokey Joe’s Café” and “Guys and Dolls”, Laura Matula returns as the stubborn and feisty Cockney flower girl Eliza Doolittle.

“Laura is the perfect Eliza,” said Speck. “Not only does she have the singing and acting chops for this challenging and dynamic role, but she has Eliza’s spitfire exuberance, energy, and charisma. She’s sure to wow in this role.”

Alongside her, Matt Logan will make his Studio Tenn acting debut as the haughty Henry Higgins, the phonetics professor who undertakes to rectify Eliza’s speech and pass her off as an upper-class lady.

“Matt’s fingerprints are of course all over every production we do; as the Artistic Director, he is the visionary behind our sets, costumes, and staging,” said Speck. “He is also a very talented actor, which is a side of him lesser seen. I think Studio Tenn regulars will especially enjoy this rare opportunity to see Matt in his elementon stage.”

Other players in the all-Nashville cast include Matthew Carlton as Eliza’s jolly drunkard father, Jeremy Childs (Studio Tenn’s “Guys and Dolls,” “The Miracle Worker”) as Colonel Pickering, and Ross Bridgeman as Freddy.

Based on George Bernard Shaw’s 1912 play “Pygmalion,” “My Fair Lady” debuted in 1956 with a record-setting Broadway run starring Rex Harrison and the newly discovered Julie Andrews. It has since seen numerous successful revivals and a famous film adaptation starring Harrison and Audrey Hepburn.

However, much like Eliza Doolittle’s transformation from rags to perceived riches, “My Fair Lady”‘s road to success was not without its impediments.

Filmmaker Gabriel Pascal first obtained the rights to make a musical of “Pygmalion” in the 1930s. But author George Bernard Shaw forbade it, postponing Pascal’s efforts until his death in 1950. After Shaw’s passing, Pascal resurrected the project, enlisting lyricist Alan Jay Lerner and his composer partner Frederick Loewe.

But it seemed Shaw’s play refused to conform to the archetypal musical mold. Most troublesome, the main plot was not a love story.

Even Rodgers and Hammerstein had abandoned efforts to adapt “Pygmalion.” Lerner and Loewe took a two-year hiatus from the project before reuniting to create what came to be widely regarded as a masterpiece.

Like its heroine, “My Fair Lady” was a piece of work at first. “It certainly had a rough start,” said Logan, “but all those things that initially made it an unlikely musical instead ended up making it a brilliant and beautiful one.”

“The relationship between Eliza and Higgins is so memorable precisely because it’s not your run-of-the-mill love story,” Logan said.

Decades since its Tony Award-winning debut, the witty and charming “My Fair Lady” still translates, with little-to-no tampering.

While Studio Tenn lends fresh interpretative elements to all its productions, audiences can expect a relatively straightforward “My Fair Lady.” After all, “you don’t mess with perfection,” Logan said. “As generations of successful revivals have attested, this show leaves little to be desired, and much to be upheld and celebrated. The brilliance is already there—all that’s left to do is articulate it the best we can.”

Studio Tenn’s “My Fair Lady” runs May 16—June 2 at the Franklin Theatre, located at 419 Main Street in Franklin, Tennessee. Tickets are available online at FranklinTheatre.com and by calling the Box Office at(615) 538-2076.

Studio Tenn Theatre Company is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, independent from its host venues. While its productions have enjoyed great popularity, including numerous sellouts, they would not be possible without the generous support of sponsors and donors. For more information about Studio Tenn Theatre Company or to get involved as a donor or sponsor, please visit StudioTenn.com or email info@studiotenn.com.

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FRANKLIN, Tenn. — “Ukulele Hero” (Rolling Stone), Jake Shimabukuro, will perform at the historic Franklin Theatre on Thursday, June 6. Shimabukuro is using this current tour to promote his most recent album Grand Ukulele.

In his young career, Shimabukuro has already redefined a heretofore under-the-radar instrument, won accolades from the disparate likes of Eddie Vedder, Perez Hilton and Dr. Sanjay Gupta, wowed audiences on TV (Jimmy Kimmel, Conan), earned comparisons to Jimi Hendrix and Miles Davis, and even played in front of the Queen of England.

The Franklin Theatre is honored to host Jake Shimabukuro at such an exciting and relevant point in his career. Prior to his performance at the Franklin Theatre Nashville Public Television will premiere his new documentary, JAKE SHIMABUKURO: LIFE ON FOUR STRINGS, Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Tadashi Nakamura on Friday, May 10, 2013 at 8:00 p.m.

Tickets for Jake Shimabukuro are on public sale now and start as low as $33.00 for classic seating.  They can be purchased at the Franklin Theatre box office (419 Main Street, Franklin, TN), online at www.franklintheatre.com or by calling 615-538-2076.

About the Franklin Theatre:

Built in 1937, the Franklin Theatre re-opened to the public on June 3 following a multi-year, multi-million-dollar restoration.  The Main Street landmark is owned and operated by the nonprofit Heritage Foundation.

For additional information contact:

Chelsey Reardon

chelsey@franklintheatre.com

615-538-2079