Beginning with small, private rental events, theater now looking to bring back live entertainment, movies and hybrid live-streamed shows that conform to current COVID restrictions

FRANKLIN, TN (March 10, 2020) – After going dark to public performances last year due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County, TN, parent organization of The Franklin Theatre, is excited to announce the theater’s phased reopening plan for 2021.

Currently the theater is open for private rentals, including Monday nights through April where another local non-profit, Studio Tenn, is hosting its popular virtual talk show: Studio Tenn Talks: Conversations with Patrick Cassidy. In addition, as part of its mission to be a platform for local philanthropy, The Franklin Theatre is currently working in partnership with local video production companies and The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee (CFMT) to provide an opportunity for non-profits to film affordable promotional videos to support their participation in The Big Payback, CFMT’s annual 24-hour giving event that kicks off on Wednesday, May 5 at 6 p.m.

The current reopening plan, which will be modified as needed based on any future COVID-related restrictions, will bring back limited-capacity weekend movies, limited-capacity plus livestream performances through June. Until the state guidelines indicate otherwise, the theater’s capacity is approximately 75 guests, which accounts for adequate social distancing.

Beginning in July, the theater will begin presenting movies and live performances with increasing regularity and possible increased capacity. The Franklin Theatre will continue to follow the governor’s Tennessee Pledge and CDC guidelines and update reopening plans as needed.

The theater’s box office will reopen with limited hours beginning on Friday, March 12, in time for Sandi Patty’s ticket on-sale date. The box office’s limited hours will run through April and will be 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Friday, Saturdays and Sundays. In addition to new shows going on sale over the next several weeks, many 2021-2022 shows are currently on sale.

• Sandi Patty (Limited Capacity & Livestream) – Saturday, May 8 | 3 p.m. & 7 p.m.
• Deborah Allen (Limited Capacity & Livestream) – Saturday, June 5 | 2 p.m. & 8 p.m. – ON SALE FRIDAY, APRIL 2
• The Isaacs – Friday, July 9 | 8 p.m. – CURRENTLY ON SALE
• James Gregory – Saturday, July 10 | 8 p.m. – ON SALE FRIDAY, APRIL 2
• Jeff Allen – Thursday, July 15 | 8 p.m. – CURRENTLY ON SALE
• Larry Carlton – Saturday, July 17 | 8 p.m. – ON SALE FRIDAY, APRIL 9
• Farewell Angelina – Thursday, July 29 | 8 p.m. – CURRENTLY ON SALE
• John Ford Coley, Billy Dean & Tom Wurth – Backgrounds and Bridges Acoustic Tour – Thursday, August 5 | 8 p.m. – CURRENTLY ON SALE
• Allie Colleen – Friday, August 6 | 8 p.m. – CURRENTLY ON SALE
• Henry Cho – Saturday, August 14 | 4 p.m. & 8 p.m. – CURRENTLY ON SALE
• Gary Puckett & The Union Gap – Thursday, August 19 & Friday, August 20 | 8 p.m. – ON SALE FRIDAY, APRIL 16
• David Wilcox – Saturday, August 21 | 8 p.m. – CURRENTLY ON SALE
• BJ Thomas – Friday, August 27 & Saturday, August 28 | 8 p.m. – CURRENTLY ON SALE

“We are emerging from an incredibly challenging season for The Franklin Theatre,” said Heritage Foundation COO Meg Hershey. “While we had to temporarily close the doors to public events, we are diligently working behind the scenes to reschedule some of the amazing programming that was planned for last year. We couldn’t be more excited about getting this cherished venue back open to continue its mission, bringing inspiring arts and entertainment experiences to our community.”

Hershey went on to say that surviving an unprecedented season which left the theater with very few options for programming has been nothing short of challenging.

“This theater has been sustained by the community’s embrace of underwritten marquee messages, limited small group private rental events and through the commitment of corporate sponsors and donors of the nonprofit Heritage Foundation and its division The Franklin Theatre,” she said.

The Heritage Foundation is also making plans for a 10^th anniversary celebration later this year to commemorate 10 years since the theater’s restoration and grand re-opening.

FOR PRIVATE MOVIE PARTIES CLICK HERE  |  FOR VALENTINE’S DATE NIGHT CLICK HERE

Having received more than 200 submissions the festival program, the final films have been selected for the 2019 Franklin International Independent Film Festival.  The opening night for FIIFF will be held at the Franklin Theater on August 14, 2019 with screen local film director, Barbara Hall’s American Masters film “CHARLEY PRIDE, I’m Just Me.”

“I could not be more excited about the program lineup,” said Nancy Puetz. President of Williamson County Cultural Arts Commission.  “The storytelling brought by this amazing group of filmmakers is exciting, thought-provoking and most of all entertaining. These filmmakers have carved out their carefully drawn images for film lovers and other filmmakers with a keen eye and great respect for the process. Our festival program is an homage to the power of a truly international group.”

The doors open for the FIIFF programming at 9:30 AM on the 14th, 15th, 16th and 18th with incredible programming in all genres. As Ms. Puetz said, “From documentary, music and drama to comedy and animation and purpose films, there is a film for everyone to enjoy.”

August 17th daylong programming is at Columbia State College with television/ music panels and workshops with such acclaimed experts as Petra Terzi, recent Cannes Film Festival winner of AFI Peacemaker award. Filmmakers represent Cyprus, the Republic of Georgia, Canada, Sweden, Korea and the United States. Local industry greats such as, David Deborde, Andy Hill, Steve Hayes, and others whose passion and knowledge of film, music and media will provide advice and a roadmap for long-term success. A long requested workshop presented by Seed and Spark, the Indie Film crowdfunding platform is also on the program for Saturday.

As an added bonus to audiences, a special celebrity guest host is planned for opening night.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TICKETS:

Festival Passes: http://bit.ly/FIIFFTN 

Daily Events at The Franklin Theatre:  FIIFF 8/14, FIIFF 8/15, FIIFF 8/16, FIIFF 8/18

Workshops and Panels at Columbia State College: FIIFF 8/17

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

CLICK FOR TICKETS

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)

CLICK FOR DORIS DAY TICKETS

SUN 6/30 3 pm:  Nashville Opera Presents: “Sing-A-Long-A Sound of Music”

CLICK FOR TICKETS

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.

CLICK FOR TICKETS

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

CLICK FOR LIVE MUSIC TICKETS

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

JOIN US THIS WEEKEND

As schools are dismissing and the warm air settles in, Memorial Day Weekend reminds us it’s time for a little fun.  Our weekend here at The Franklin Theatre is full of movies from classic stories to new favorites.

The theatre will be cool, and our beverages even cooler, so carve out a little time to escape to the movies with your loved ones.

NOW SHOWING:

SAT 5/25 10 am: “Dumbo” (PG)

SAT 5/25 1 pm: “Dumbo” (PG)

SAT 5/25 4 pm: “Breakthrough” (PG)

SAT 5/25 7 pm: “Captain Marvel” (PG-13)

SUN 5/26 1 pm: “Dumbo” (PG)

SUN 5/26 4 pm: “Captain Marvel” (PG-13)

SUN 5/26 7 pm: “Breakthrough” (PG)

MON 5/27 10 am: “Dumbo” (PG)

MON 5/27 1 pm: “Dumbo” (PG)

MON 5/27 4 pm: “Captain Marvel” (PG-13)

MON 5/27 7 pm: “Breakthrough” (PG)

WED 5/29 7 pm: “Breakthrough” (PG)

CLICK FOR TICKETS:

“Dumbo” (PG) TICKETS

“Breakthrough” (PG) TICKETS

“Captain Marvel” (PG-13) TICKETS

Visit FranklinTheatre.com for more information and to purchase tickets.

Or, call our Box Office: 615-538-2076

The National Museum of African American Music will present the first public screening of “Charley Pride: I’m Just Me” a feature-length documentary episode of the PBS series “American Masters” at the Franklin Theatre in Franklin, Tenn., on Feb. 8 at 7 p.m.

“Charley Pride: I’m Just Me” traces the improbable journey of Charley Pride, from his humble beginnings as a sharecropper’s son on a cotton farm in segregated Sledge, Miss., to his career as a Negro League baseball player and his meteoric rise as a trailblazing country music superstar. A panel featuring filmmaker Barb Hall and Dr. Dina Bennett, senior curator at NMAAM, will immediately follow the film’s conclusion.

“Helping shine a light Charley Pride’s story, struggles and incredible musical talent through this documentary represents the kinds of stories our museum wants to tell,” said H. Beecher Hicks III, CEO and president of NMAAM. “He’s truly a one-of-a-kind, trailblazing artist whose place in our nation’s and our culture’s musical history is undeniable.”

“At a time when African American singers were more notable for R&B hits, Charley Pride followed his passion for country music, overcoming obstacles through determination and raw talent to make a lasting impact on the genre and create a legacy that continues today,” said Michael Kantor, executive producer of “American Masters.”

Tickets can be purchased from the Franklin Theatre website here. A portion of the proceeds from the screening will benefit the National Museum of African American Music.

It’s the final days of summer, and we hope the Franklin Theatre and Downtown Franklin are on your list of things to do for a moment of leisure. Nothing like stepping into the cool theatre and catching an afternoon matinee or an evening show with your loved one, with a cold beverage, sweet snack and story to take you away.

Here are a few highlights of what’s happening at the theatre and in Downtown Franklin this month:

* * * * * *

FIRST FRIDAY ART SCENE – 8/3

Downtown Franklin’s monthly art crawl is Friday 8/3 beginning at 6 pm. Stroll the streets, visit the shops, meet local artists and discover their talented work. You can sip and savor the food and libations so plentiful around here, too. Catch a movie around the art crawl – “Book Club” (PG-13) at 4 pm, “Ocean’s 8” at 7 pm.

More Info.

LIVE THEATER – 8/4 & 8/5

The talented teen performers of Act Too Players present: “Legally Blonde the Musical”

A fabulously fun, award-winning musical based on the adored movie, Legally Blonde The Musical, follows the transformation of Elle Woods as she tackles stereotypes and scandal in pursuit of her dreams. Action-packed and exploding with memorable songs and dynamic dances – this musical is so much fun, it should be illegal!

More Info & Tickets

IMPERFECT COURAGE BOOK TOUR – 8/16

Jessica Honegger is the Founder of Noonday Collection-a socially responsible business that uses fashion to create meaningful opportunities around the world. To celebrate the launch of her new book, Imperfect Courage, join Jessica and special guests Amy Moffett Brown of the Bobby Bones Show and Ashley LeMieux of the Shine Project for a meaningful and fun girls’ night out!

More Info & Ticket

TWIST THE NIGHT AWAY – CHUBBY CHECKER 8/18

In 2 minutes & 42 Seconds, Chubby Checker revolutionized popular culture and changed the music business forever. When he appeared on American Bandstand in 1960 and performed “The Twist,” it was the dawn of a new era in Rock and Roll.

More Info & Tickets

MOVIES FOR THE MONTH

Movies were made to take you away; for a good laugh, or a good cry, and fun times with loved ones. Our calendar is full of matinee and evening movies in August. Come enjoy:

“Book Club”(PG-13), “Ocean’s 8” (PG-13),  “Overboard” (PG-13) and “Benched” (PG-13).  On 8/31, The Movie Gang Presents: “Labyrinth” (PG).

Movie Schedule

For a full schedule of events, visit Franklintheatre.com.  If you want to know more about what to see around Franklin, go to VisitFranklin.com. We hope to see you soon!

“Run Free: The True Story of Caballo Blanco,” a feature-length documentary about ultra-running legend Micah True, will screen at the Franklin Theatre in Franklin, TN, on Wednesday, March 16 at 7 p.m. The one-night-only event is sponsored by the Nashville Striders running club.

Micah True, better known as Caballo Blanco – the White Horse – was the focal character of Christopher McDougall’s 2009 best-selling book “Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen” about the Tarahumara Indians of northern Mexico. Also known as the Rarámuri, or Running People, they are some of the best long-distance runners in the world.

Caballo Blanco was an enigmatic visionary who lived and ran with the Tarahumara after moving to remote Copper Canyon in the 1990s, and who created the fifty-mile Copper Canyon Ultra-Marathon to honor their running traditions and aid in their sustainability. Now in its thirteenth year, the race attracts hundreds of local Tarahumara to the village of Urique to compete alongside some of the best runners in the world. All race finishers receive five hundred pounds of corn, which the international runners traditionally donate to the local Tarahumara, commemorating the spirit of sharing, or “kórima,” which is a way of life among the natives of Copper Canyon.

The documentary is directed by Sterling Noren, a filmmaker from Seattle who met Micah True in 2009. Most of the material for the film was recorded in the weeks leading up to the 2012 race. Shortly after that race, Micah True disappeared in the Gila Wilderness of New Mexico during his daily run, prompting ultra-runners from all over the country to drop everything and join in the search. His body was recovered several days later, found on a trail in a deserted canyon by some of his friends.

“We wanted to tell the story of Micah True in a way that was exciting and authentic, so that viewers could get a sense of what an amazing and inspiring person he was,” said Noren. “Micah’s vision lives on and his legacy is honored in this film. The film shares Micah’s compelling message of love, hope and kórima with the world while helping sustain the people and culture that meant so much to him. We’re honored to be part of this project and are committed to keeping Micah’s mission alive.”

“Micah’s genuine passion for honoring the sacred running traditions of the Tarahumara people was the essence of his being,” said Maria Walton, executive producer of the film and Micah True’s girlfriend at the time of his death. “We made this film to share Micah’s vision of hope for the Tarahumara culture and empower people everywhere with his joy of running.”

The 90-minute film recently won the 2015 Bud Greenspan Memorial Film and Video Award, presented by the Track & Field Writers of America. In addition, the film also was named winner of the prestigious Award of Excellence from the IndieFEST Film Awards, which recognizes film, television and new media professionals who demonstrate exceptional achievement in craft and creativity, contributing to profound social change. The IndieFEST Film Awards said of its latest winners, “The IndieFEST is not an easy award to win. Entries are received from around the world from powerhouse companies to remarkable new talent. The judges were pleased with the exceptional high quality of entries,” of which Run Free was singled out for its creative excellence.

The film was also named the Best Documentary at the 2015 Arizona International Film Festival.

Most recently, the film won a silver medal at the 2015 Spotlight Documentary Film Awards, which designated Run Free: The True Story of Caballo Blanco as one of the top 250 independent documentaries produced anywhere in the world in 2015.

A percentage of the film’s profits, including from DVD sales, will go to benefit Norawas de Rarámuri (Friends of the Running People), the non-profit agency founded by Micah True to preserve traditional Tarahumara culture. Norawas de Rarámuri works to provide maize, non-GMO seed corn, and cash awards for participating Tarahumara runners, both men and women alike. On this way, the organization offers Tarahumara families nutrition during drought and support for a tradition of small farms necessary to both physical and cultural survival.

Tickets for the event are $11 in advance at www.franklintheatre.com/tickets/more or $15 at the door the night of the show. There is a $2 per ticket preservation fee charged by the theater and online ordered are assessed a $3 transaction fee. The Franklin Theatre is located at 419 Main St. in Franklin.

The largest running club in Middle Tennessee with more than 1,000 members, the Nashville Striders running club is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote running, walking and general fitness as lifelong endeavors. The club’s aim is to help runners achieve their fitness goals, whether as a primarily social runner to the most competitive runner. For more information, go to www.nashvillestriders.com.

For more information about the film, go to www.runfreemovie.com.

#####

For more information or to arrange interviews with principals of the film, contact promoter Garry Harrington at gharrington3165@hotmail.com or 603-209-5010.