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Barrow-Civic Theatre introduces first ever Barry Awards

11/26/2025

It's been an eventful year at the Barrow-Civic Theatre with a busy schedule of plays, musicals and special acts.

To honor the standout performances from community members, the theater has created the Barry Awards.

Not named after anyone named Barry, rather it's a fun play on the Barrow. This is the first of what the organizers are hoping becomes a yearly event.

Similar to the Emmys and Oscars there are multiple categories with nominees picked by a committee.

The categories include Lead Actor and Actress for both plays and musicals, Featured Performers in plays and musicals, Youth Lead Actor and Actress in a Musical, Best Play, Best Musical, Best Youth Musical, Best Costume Design, Best Choreography, Best Director for both plays and musicals, Best Music Direction and Best Musical Ensemble. (See graphics for the list of nominees.)

The winners will be determined by a voting committee of audience members who attended all the shows nominated based on box office ticket records kept by the theater.

The awards will be announced during a Red Carpet & Black Tie fundraiser at 7 p.m. on January 17, 2026 at the theatre.

August Babington will serve as the host for the event, which will also include performances and a sneak peek at next year's schedule.

Tickets are $30 and on sale now.

We aren't on the voting committee, but we were lucky to take in all the shows. Well except "Who's Holiday", which is on our list for next month.

So many memorable moments and performances that we could mention, but don't want to influence any judges decisions.

So if seeing this awards announcement has got you feeling reminiscen and you're looking for a remindert, we've got you covered.

Below are links to our coverage of all the 2025 shows, listed in the order in which they were performed throughout the year.

And if you are struggling to think about a certain show, there are tons of photos to help you remember and relive the great performances and productions.

Enjoy!

Space Cadets

An original youth musical by Emilee Weaver and Aiofe Salusky.
www.8and322.com/eight--322/the-courage-to-create-is-out-of-this-world

The Mixed Up Fantasy Musical

A celebration of the 25th Anniversary of Franklin Civic Operetta's Youth Theatre.
www.8and322.com/eight--322/twenty-five-years-of-youth-theater-fun-and-memories

Rumors

A full length comedy play on the Main Stage.
www.8and322.com/eight--322/rumors-have-it-a-new-barrow-production-opens-friday

Montey Python's SPAMALOT

A humorous full length musical based on the popular movie Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
www.8and322.com/arts/opening-up-a-can-of-spamalot

Doubt

A small cast play that was performed in the Little Theatre.
www.8and322.com/arts/dont-doubt-this-work-of-art-at-the-barrow-civiclittle-theatre

Footloose

A jukebox musical featuring hit songs and a predominately young adult cast.
www.8and322.com/eight--322/gotta-gotta-cut-loose-footloose

Rabbit Hole

An emotion journey through grief that was performed on the Little Theatre stage.
www.8and322.com/eight--322/rabbit-hole-when-art-helps-us-know-who-we-are

Singin' in the Rain

This year's Applefest show was a step back in time to the dawn of "Talkies."
www.8and322.com/eight--322/fnd-yourself-singin-the-last-few-rainy-days-no-why-not-visit-the-barrow-civic-theatre-starting-tonight-to-see-why-you-should

Disney's Frozen Jr.

A youth theatre musical rendition of the hit animated movie.
www.8and322.com/eight--322/frozen-is-a-heartwarming-tale-about-what-love-really-means

Who's Holiday offers reimagined Cindy Lou and her twisted humor

Cindy Lou Who is all grown up, a little rough around the edges, and ready to spill the eggnog-soaked tea about what really went down after that fateful Christmas with the Grinch.

Equal parts festive and wildly fun. Who's Holiday is the twisted adult comedy you never knew you needed - where holiday cheer comes with a dash of sass, a splash of booze and a lot of heart.

Shows will be at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 11, 12 and 13; and at 2 p.m. on Dec. 13 and 14. Some performances will be in the Little Theatre and others on the Main Stage.

Tickets on sale now.

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Franklin again astounds with kickoff to holiday season

11/23/2025

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For the next month and a half motorists rounding the corner from 13th Street to head through the heart of Franklin's downtown along Liberty Street will be surrounded by the lights and colors of the holiday season.

Franklin lit itself up in grand fashion once again with several activities for kids including a holiday flavored nighttime parade followed by a no holds barred fireworks display that commenced shortly after the town's Christmas tree was electrified to the sounds of ooh and ahh.

Each year it is a spectacle unique to this little town that draws thousand to the downtown streets to experience the shared spirit of community as they kick off the holiday season.

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Frozen is a heartwarming tale about what love really means

11/16/2025

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It's about to get "Frozen" at the Barrow-Civic Theatre this weekend when a very youthful cast takes on a Disney classic Friday at 7:30 p.m., with two shows Saturday at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. leaving plenty of time to get ready for light-up night. and a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m..
Frozen Jr. is a tale that warms a Frozen heart with the notion of true love. Directed by Abby Preston this one hour show include some talented young performers who appear to be having a lot of fun bringing this musical tale to life.

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White Christmas comes to Franklin High's stage

11/14/2025

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Tonight and tomorrow night treat yourself to a little early holiday cheer while supporting young talent at the Franklin Area High School's performance of the Irving Berlin classic "White Christmas.

The show starts at 7 p.m. and features students from both Rocky Grove and Franklin, as well as an older FHS member playing a general with a shot up leg

The show features colorful costume, language and a lot of singing and dancing.

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Chamber director to move on in the new year

11/14/2025

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Without a solid plan for the next chapter of her life, the always adventure seeking executive director of the Franklin Area Chamber of Commerce is ready to start writing that chapter in 2026 anyway.

Jodi Baker Lewis let the chamber board know her decision to resign shortly after “the Best Three Days” - the phrase she uses to describe Applefest.

Lewis has been the chamber’s leader since the middle of 2015 and was assistant director for seven years prior.

Not without some trepidation she feels it is just time for a change.

“This is a dream job,” she said. “Nothing can match this. The relationships I’ve built. I’ll miss it big time.”
But Lewis is always one to challenge herself to try new things and with a "big" birthday coming up she isn't going sit back on her laurels, she is going to make things happen.. Each year she takes her birthday month to try something new every day.

“I read that your 60s are your most influential years and next is your 70s and the third is in your fifties, and I’m already past that one,” she said.

She did say, however, whatever she will do, it will be will be near by.

“My kids are here. I did tell them to get their couches ready, I might need to couch surf for a while.”

In her time at the chamber, Lewis said building better relationships and bringing the chamber office into a downtown storefront where it has served as a mini incubator and a gathering place for important discussions was among her greatest achievements.

“We’re in this space (1255 Liberty Street), in this building which is great. Even though we were just up the street, I remember people being so excited that we were going to be 'in town',” she laughed. “We were only a block up the street, but what a difference this has made. Since we’ve been here we’ve become the information center. I mean, It has become an information highway for everyone.”
The chamber has an open door policy that encourages local leaders, members of the public and visitors to stop by.

“People (who) walk in the door and you don’t know where they’re from and by the time they leave, they probably have my business card and my cell phone number and I’ll probably hear from them again,” she said. “I will miss those opportunities (this job) presented.”

And it’s not just the out of town visitors, Lewis said building community relationships brings in people with ideas that want them to grow.

“I’ve been a part of so many people’s dreams, seeing their businesses open,” she said. “It’s the people you happen to run into and have that small unexpected conversation with that then turns into something great.”
As example, she mentioned the Innovation Institute for Tomorrow that occupies the upper floors of the chamber building. It was a chance encounter with the Institute’s founder Tim Heffernen that led to a series of growth-oriented projects and locations for the Institute, and a close friendship.

Lewis credits friendships for much of Franklin’s success over the years – friends with the common goal of keeping Franklin a destination, not just for travelers, but also the people who live and work there.And the chamber isn’t just about helping the business owners to turn a profit but also contributing to the things that make Franklin a place where people want to live, work and support each other.“We can sit at a table, we can argue with each other, but when we open (the chamber) door, we’re going out to do what is best for the community as a whole,” she said about meetings with community leaders and business owners.

“Her dedication to Franklin is second to none,” said Franklin Area Chamber board president Josh Jolley. “The hours she puts in, she is always there. She does a lot that people just don’t realize.”

Jolley said Lewis’ resignation was a bit of a surprise. Therefore, the board wants to take the time to figure out their next move. “We didn’t accept her resignation (at the last board meeting),” he said, emphasizing that they wanted to be sure everything is done correctly. “She’s been here for 11 years, we haven’t had to do this in a long while.”

The board will meet on November 20 and will set in motion the search for a new director.
“She has big shoes to fill,” Jolley said. “The way she carries herself; the way she always helps people. Even if she doesn’t have the answer, she knows the direction to point them. That is really hard to find.”
The work she puts into Applefest alone will be hard to imagine anyone equaling. “I’ve always been impressed,” he said.

Lewis said that Applefest has grown during her tenure – filling both parks and spilling out into the streets. Though it probably doesn’t have much more room for expansion Lewis said that doesn’t mean it has to become stagnant.

Every year Lewis and the committee think about what they can do to spice it up and keep it fun and new.

They have brought in touring acts, like extreme pogo stick jumpers who wowed crowds, and tried out a variety of things, like featuring local authors along 12th Street.
Lewis and Jolley will be working closely together to see that the transition goes smoothly and she isn’t going anywhere.

“This is home. This is the community that gave me a chance and that I grew up in. (This job) was an opportunity to give back,” she said. Though she wants a little time to breathe and think about that next chapter, people who know her also understand no moss will be growing anywhere near her.

“I just want to do what you’re supposed to do. I just love the ability to help people. Maybe I could just fill in for anybody in need of help. Someone breaks their leg – I can help. Someone needs seasonal help – I can do that…” she said.

But first, she is perhaps going to sleep on her kids' couches when she feels like it and figure out that next chapter.

“I’m used to taking care of everybody else and not myself, and with a big decade looming in the next year, it’s just time.”

On a personal note:

When I first took over for Jerry Sowden at The Derrick and The News-Herald in 2015, on of my first assignment was to make a portrait of Jodi because she was taking over as the chamber director. I was not happy with my effort and I missed the picture. I had missed the picture that would define her for me the next ten years.

Horns beeped and her face lit up as she waved back and then told me a short story about the person.

She knew everybody and if she didn't know them, she wanted to to.

On Thursday as I was taking her photo there we were, horns beeps and just as she did 10 years ago, her face lit up as she waved back.

Jodi is one of those personalities that define a place and as Josh Jolley said above she will be a tough act to follow.

I'm not worried about missing her, she will be around and likely will still be my first text when trying to figure something Franklin related out, but just as Ronnie Beith's leadership is missed, perhaps even more so will Jodi's.

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Barrow-Civic Theatre introduces first ever Barry Awards

Space Cadets

The Mixed Up Fantasy Musical

Rumors ​

Montey Python's SPAMALOT

Doubt

​Footloose

Rabbit Hole

Singin' in the Rain

Disney's Frozen Jr.

Who's Holiday offers reimagined Cindy Lou and her twisted humor

Franklin again astounds with kickoff to holiday season

Frozen is a heartwarming tale about what love really means

White Christmas comes to Franklin High's stage

Chamber director to move on in the new year

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