Franklin Stage Company To Offer Exciting and Diverse Shows For 2022 Summer Season

Franklin Stage Company will be opening its 2022 season soon with a new General Manager, Cameron Kinnear (as of January) and a wide variety of professional entertainment at its Chapel Hill home in Franklin, NY.

Before I get to the great shows coming up, you might be interested to hear a brief history of this theater company which started back in 1996 with the mission of bringing professional, admission-free theater to the rural community at large. The founders wanted this kind of art to be accessible to anyone and everyone so that the arts would continue to flourish and inspire.

Franklin Stage Company (FSC) operates out of Chapel Hall on Institute Street in Franklin which is a beautiful, historic Greek-style building built back in 1853. The building was originally part of a college prep school, The Delaware Literary Institute which was in operation from 1835 to 1902 and it was one of the most prominent college prep schools in New York State at that time. Eventually, it was converted into a theater where Franklin Stage Company hosts its shows and it sure is an entertainment venue gem in our region.

The 2022 season will feature the following programs:

"Two Gentlemen of Verona", July 1 - 17: This is an adaptation of the Shakespeare comedy about two best friends who travel far from home and then both end up falling in love with the same woman, even though one of the two had already committed himself to a girl back in his home town.

Vicki Kristina Barcelona Band, July 21 - 24: this musical trio is Rachelle Garniez, Amanda Homi and Terry Radigan, who are "re-imagining the lyrical genius of the Tom Waits songbook via inventive three-part harmonies and a treasure trove of instruments including banjos, bottles, squeezebox, and zills."

Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana, July 29 - 3: This dance group is one of our country's most prominent flamenco and Spanish dance companies, and is "dedicated to honoring the traditions of flamenco while expanding the art form in new directions."

Bricktop, Legend of the Jazz Age, August 5 - 21: This is a new play telling the story of jazz, African-Americans in performance, racial relations, and of Paris before and after WWII through the eyes of Ada “Bricktop” Smith who has been called “one of the most legendary and enduring figures of twentieth-century American cultural history.”

Keep in mind that admission to any Franklin Stage Company performance is free, however, donations are gratefully accepted to continue the company's mission. Here's a tip to see any Franklin Stage show: seating is limited and reserving your seats early on is recommended. To learn more about the FSC 2022 season and reserve tickets visit franklinstagecompany.org/2022-season.