Studio Tenn Returns to the Roots of Its Hometown With THE BATTLE OF FRANKLIN

Studio Tenn returns to the roots of its Franklin, Tennessee, hometown with the reprise of The Battle of Franklin: A Tale of a House Divided," back by popular demand for a September 7-22 run at the Jamison Theatre in the Factory at Franklin.

With the historic Carter house just minutes away, Middle Tennesseans are certain to feel a sense of time, place and history that permeates Franklin via the original production that chronicles the story of Tod Carter.

Matt Logan, Studio Tenn's artistic director, enlisted the expertise of writer A. S. Peterson to script the stage tale, seeking guidance from local historians to recreate the stirring performance piece.

"The Battle of Franklin presents audiences with an experience that history books can't quite provide," Logan maintains. "Whereas history tends to cater to the factual aspects of the past, theatre allows us to recreate and provide an emotionally driven, hands-on representation of what happened."

Logan explains that the return of The Battle of Franklin gives the city, local school districts and the greater Nashville community the opportunity to experience local history once more after the success of last season's sold-out performances.

"With its dramatic staging and powerful music, The Battle of Franklin helps people inside and outside our community understand why we work so hard to preserve what happened here," said Lynn McAlister from the Heritage Foundation of Franklin and Williamson County.

"Suddenly a 'history lesson' becomes reality," McAlister continues. "You not only know their names, but you feel their hopes, their dreams and their ambitions."

Returning to the Jamison Theatre stage for the 2017 iteration of The Battle of Franklin will be original cast members Matthew Rosenbaum, Matthew Carlton, Carrie Tillis, James Rudolph, Jennifer Whitcomb-Oliva, Garris Wimmer, PatRick Thomas and Matthew Rich, joined by new cast members Chrissy Berryessa and Jake Perotti.

"It's such an insanely talented group of friends who share this craft as a profession," says Carrie Tillis, who portrays Mary Alice McPhail, sister to Tod Carter. "It's so comforting to come together with like-minded people and I am always grateful spend this time with my 'other family.'"

This unique local work takes audiences back in time to witness "the tragic struggle between father and son, master and slave, and North and South - the perfect blend of history and theatricality." The Battle of Franklin presents more than mere history, according to a press release, "but the conflict in us all and our hope of restoration."

The Battle of Franklin: A Tale of a House Divided runs September 7-22 at the Jamison Theater in the Factory at Franklin. Tickets are available at www.studiotenn.com or by calling (615) 541-8200.

photos by MA2LA