News

Atmos Energy will serve as the Presenting Sponsor for this series, running July 13-17

FRANKLIN, TN (July 6, 2022) – The Franklin Theatre is pleased to announce Atmos Energy as the presenting sponsor for its “Summer Pay What You Can” movie screenings to be held July 13th to July 17th.

These screenings are a way for Williamson County residents and visitors to engage with the historic theatre at a low cost while supporting the theatre’s mission and vision.

“We’re excited to invite the public into our beautiful theatre for a week of Pay What You Can movies,” said Eric Dilts, Managing Director of The Franklin Theatre. “Partnering with organizations like Atmos Energy gives us the ability to offer more low- and no-cost programming to our community. We can’t thank Atmos enough for their support.”

“Through our Fueling Safe and Thriving Communities program, we believe in making a difference in the communities we serve by partnering with vital organizations like The Franklin Theatre,” said Christina Christiansen, Atmos Energy manager of public affairs. “The Franklin Theatre is committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to experience the arts. When we work together, we multiply the impact for our neighbors.”

The Summer Pay What You Can lineup will include “The Bad Guys,” “Fantastic Beasts: Secrets of Dumbledor,” “Sonic The Hedgehog 2,” “The Lost City,” and “The Northman.” A total of 8 matinee and evening screenings will be held during the July 13-17 Pay What You Can series.

Complete dates and showtimes can be found at www.franklintheatre.com/tickets/movies/. The recommended donation is the normal movie ticket price of $10, but any level of donation will be welcomed during this week.

Learn more about Atmos Energy at www.atmosenergy.com.

On June 22nd, 2022, The Franklin Theatre hosted the Middle Tennessee premiere of Baz Luhrmann’s “Elvis” to a full house of local celebrities, actors, musicians, and theatre donors. The Warner Bros. Pictures film, which premiered on June 24th, explores the relationship between Elvis (played by Austin Butler) and his enigmatic manager, Colonel Tom Parker (played by Tom Hanks).

Among those in attendance were Nashville-based music producer and composer Shannon Sanders, The McCrary Sisters, and two of Elvis’ former bandmates, Tony Brown and Larry Strickland. Sanders moderated a short panel with Brown and Strickland who shared memories and insights from their time working with Elvis.

Sanders, who plays a pentecostal pastor in the film, surprised the crowd with a video call from director “Baz Luhrmann.” Luhrmann thanked everyone for their attendance and support and signed off by leading a chant of “it’s time to take care of business!”

This event served as both a film premiere and a fundraiser for the non-profit The Franklin Theatre. Events like this help us further our mission of providing world-class performing arts experiences to diverse Williamson County residents and visitors. We’d like to thank our staff for their hard work in producing this high-quality event, our advisory board for their continued leadership and oversight, our 1937 Society members, our Franklin Theatre donors, and all who attended on Wednesday. Special thanks to our in-kind event partners Cromwell Media, 102.1 The Ville, Menu Maker Catering, Leiper’s Fork Distillery, Curio Brewing Company, and Bite Club Baked Goods.

The Franklin Theatre ‘Elvis’ Premiere Press Coverage:

• Williamson Homepage >

Regional Premiere for the widely anticipated film to serve as fundraiser for nonprofit Theatre.

The Franklin Theatre, in partnership with Shannon Sanders and Cromwell Media, will be hosting a one-night-only premiere screening of Oscar-nominated filmmaker Baz Luhrmann’s biopic “Elvis” on June 22^nd. This event will include introductory remarks and a panel discussion before the screening.

The film explores the life and music of Elvis Presley (played by Austin Butler), seen through the prism of his complicated relationship with his enigmatic manager, Colonel Tom Parker (played by Tom Hanks). The story delves into the complex dynamic between Presley and Parker spanning over 20 years, from Presley’s rise to fame to his unprecedented stardom, against the backdrop of the evolving cultural landscape and loss of innocence in America. Central to that journey is one of the most significant and influential people in Elvis’s life, Priscilla Presley (played by Olivia DeJonge).

The film also features Nashville residents and artists with Nashville ties including Shannon Sanders (3-time GRAMMY award winner & Executive Director, Creative BMI), Yola, Gary Clark Jr., a gospel choir comprised of numerous local singers, and more.

“We’re incredibly proud to be chosen by Warner Bros. Pictures to present this historic film at our historic theatre two nights before the national release. Having hosted record releases and Hollywood premieres, like 2004’s Friday Night Lights and 2005’s Elizabethtown, The Franklin Theatre provides the perfect backdrop to this film exploring the life of Elvis Presley,” said Eric Dilts, Managing Director of The Franklin Theatre. “We’ll be using this event as a fundraiser to support our nonprofit Theatre’s operations so that it continues to shine and be the jewel of not just Franklin but for all of Middle Tennessee. The premiere will be a special event for our current supporters, many of which are artists living in the local area.”

Shannon Sanders noted, “I am honored to have played a role in the film, and grateful to Baz and all who worked on the film for their vision. Elvis made so much of his career in Nashville, and there’s no better way to celebrate his legacy and this film than bringing Hollywood to Middle Tennessee.”

The “Elvis” regional premiere Franklin Theatre fundraiser will be Wednesday, June 22 beginning at 6:30 PM. The event will include a reception immediately following the screening.  A limited number of passes will be available to first time and legacy donors to The Franklin Theatre.

CLICK HERE to learn more about the event or become a donor.

Concluding its 2021-22 Family Spotlight Series, The Franklin Theatre is pleased to present world-renowned SNAP: Illusion Artists, May 6th and 7th. Curated in order to expose young audiences to the power of the performing arts and create shared multi-generational theatrical memories, the Family Spotlight Series represents the latest in a diverse performance schedule at The Franklin Theatre.

Playing with space, time and the otherworldly, this eclectic ensemble of South Korean illusionists will boggle your mind with their impressive powers of prestidigitation. Mixing dexterous sleight of hand, Chaplin-esque vaudevillian comedy and ingenious visual effects, SNAP conjures a marvelous, magical and hilarious cabaret perfect for the whole family.

SNAP recently played the New Victory Theater in New York City and Mary Rose Lloyd proclaimed, “[SNAP is a] wonderful example of a well-executed, thoughtful and highly-entertaining theatrical magic production for young audiences and their families, performed with great care and artistry.”

The seven cast members bring to life characters such as The Alchemist, The Dreamer, The Florist, The Oddball, The Tricksters and a host of others to stage a fabulous fantasy experience for all audiences. Named The Best Magic Show in 2016 at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival by BroadwayWorld, SNAP has impressed audiences all over the world with their unique, family-friendly brand of magic and comedy.

“As we continue to grow our offering of diverse programming, we are thrilled to present SNAP at The Franklin Theatre,” said Eric Dilts, Managing Director of the nonprofit Franklin Theatre. “This show gives us a great opportunity to introduce children to the performing arts through a unique theatrical experience. People of all ages will be blown away by SNAP’s entertaining and mind-bending performance.”

SNAP performs at The Franklin Theatre, Friday, May 6 at 8:00 PM, and Saturday, May 7 at 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM. Tickets start at $28.75. For ticket information, visit www.franklintheatre.com or call 615-538-2076.

Jackson’s commitment to diverse performing arts at The Franklin Theatre extends for 11th year

The Heritage Foundation of Williamson County, TN, and Jackson National Life Insurance Company® (Jackson®) are excited to announce the continuation of a longstanding partnership to support The Franklin Theatre’s efforts to present diverse performing arts experiences for the enrichment of Williamson County.

2022 marks the eleventh straight year that Jackson has been a corporate sponsor of The Franklin Theatre. Their support entails presenting sponsor rights to the Great Performance Series and Franklin Theatre Live Series (FT Live). The Great Performances Series endeavors to curate the finest virtuoso artists from all over the world and bring them here to Williamson County, while FT Live showcases a distinguished lineup of concert and comedy performances in the intimate 300-seat historic theatre.

“Jackson is proud to have supported The Franklin Theatre for eleven years,” said Niya Moon, Corporate Philanthropy Manager at Jackson. “As a civic-minded corporation with an office in the Franklin community, we value the cultural enrichment that The Franklin Theatre brings to our neighbors, employees, colleagues and friends.”

“The Franklin Theatre is known as ‘The Jewel of Main Street’ for its contributions to downtown Franklin and beyond,” mentioned Eric Dilts, Managing Director of The Franklin Theatre. “Through the support of valued sponsors like Jackson, we can continue to present an eclectic array of live performances that meet the diverse cultural entertainment interests of Williamson County residents and visitors.”

Upcoming Great Performances and Franklin Theatre Live presented by Jackson shows include:

LOS ANGELES GUITAR QUARTET; April 8-9, 2022

As one of America’s premier instrumental ensembles, the members of the Grammy® Award-winning Los Angeles Guitar Quartet (LAGQ) have continually set the standard for expression and virtuosity among guitar ensembles. LAGQ is garnering critical acclaim for transcriptions of concert masterworks with their fresh look at the music of the past, while breaking new ground with their interpretations from contemporary and world music realms.

JESSE COOK; April 11, 2022

An accomplished guitarist, producer and equally prolific film maker, Jesse Cook has evolved his talents to create experiences that delight audiences both in concert, and online. He composed his first album, Tempest, over 25 years ago. Jesse could not imagine that such a humble recording, in which he played all the instruments, would spark into a music legacy with thousands of concerts performed around the world, over 2 million albums sold, 5 PBS TV specials, and tens of millions of content views and streams across the internet.

JAKE SHIMABUKURO; April 19, 2022

Over the past two decades, ‘ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro has proved that there isn’t a style of music that he can’t play. What’s remarkable about Jake’s transcendent skills is how he explores his seemingly limitless vocabulary – whether it’s jazz, rock, blues, bluegrass, folk or even classical – on perhaps the unlikeliest of instruments. Jake has reinvented the applications for this tiny, underappreciated four-string instrument, causing many to call him “the Jimi Hendrix of the ‘ukulele.”

Currently announced FT Live presented by Jackson® performances include:

• The Quebe Sisters; April 24
• Rickie Lee Jones; May 3
• Five for Fighting with String Quartet; May 18
• Darrell Scott; June 3
• The Seldom Scene; June 10, 2022
• The Paul Thorn Band; June 24-25, 2022

Currently announced Great Performances presented by Jackson® shows include:

• Academy of St. Martin in The Fields Chamber Ensemble; October 21
• Julie Fowlis; October 23

Additional FT Live and Great Performances Series shows will be announced this year. For ticket information, visit www.franklintheatre.com or call 615-538-2076. For more information on Jackson, visit their website at www.jackson.com.