True Tale of KY Cave Explorer
The Boiler Room Theatre, Williamson County’s original and longest-running professional theatre company, will stage acclaimed American musical, Floyd Collins. The production will run from April 19th through May 4th at the theatre’s iconic namesake venue in the historic Factory at Franklin, 230 Franklin Rd., Building Six, in Franklin, Tennessee.
Acclaimed as “the original and daring musical of our day” by New York Magazine, Floyd Collins is based on the actual 1925 events that occurred when Floyd Collins became trapped underground while chasing fame and fortune by turning a Kentucky cave into a tourist attraction. Pinned by a cave-in just 150 feet from the cave entrance, Floyd was able to maintain only limited contact with the outside world. He spent most of his ordeal alone, fighting for both his life and his sanity for over a week while a carnival-like atmosphere exploded on the ground above him as would-be rescuers, reporters and gawkers from across the country descended on the site, fueling a genuine media circus. The story shows the best and worst in people who are capable of both daring acts of altruism and taking advantage of the tragedies of others. In today’s world of the 24/7 news cycle, Floyd Collins serves to remind us of what truly matters most.
Under the guidance of Musical Director Jamey Green, Adam Guettel’s score for Floyd Collins is an innovative blend of bluegrass, Americana and folk music. “I think that we were all drawn to this musical because of its uniqueness,” explained Laura Skaug, the show’s director. “Honestly it’s one that we’ve wanted to do for over 10 years.”
At the core of the story is the emotional dynamic between Floyd (played by Geoff Davin) and his family as they cope with this crisis – his brother, Homer (Will Sevier), his father, Lee (Scott Stewart), his sister, Nellie (Jennifer Richmond) and his stepmother, Miss Jane (Lisa Gillespie). Josh Lowery, Michael Adcock, Phil Perry, Dan Zeigler, Flynt Foster, Megan Chambers, Daniel Bissell, Bryce Conner, Neely Green and Darci Wantiez provide additional depth to the cast as the team of rescuers, reporters and gawkers who fuel the media circus above ground.
Performances will be held every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday evening during the run at 8 p.m. There will also be select discount Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. and Thursday shows at 8 p.m. (For specific Sunday and Thursday show dates, please visit BoilerRoomTheatre.com) Ticket prices are $27 for adults, $25 for seniors (age 60 and up) and students (age 13 through college with valid ID), and $21 for children ages 3 through 12. Matinee prices are $2 less respectively. All Tuesday shows are two-for-one ($27 for two tickets; no other discounts apply). Tickets may be purchased by calling the Boiler Room Theatre at 615-794-7744 or ordered online at www.boilerroomtheatre.com.
Following Floyd Collins, the 2013 Season will continue with Escanaba in da Moolight, Promises Promises, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, The Producers and Scrooge, the Musical. Season tickets may be purchased by contacting the BRT Box Office.
# # #
The Boiler Room Theatre (BRT) is Williamson County’s first and longest-running resident professional theatre company, established in 2000, launching its inaugural season in March 2001. A 501(c)(3) non-profit Arts organization, BRT’s mission is to present intimate stagings of classic Broadway musicals, area premieres of recent off-Broadway plays and musicals, and original works by local playwrights and composers. BRT’s Youth Educational Programs (YEP!) and its partnership with the performance group the ACT TOO Players have provided theatre arts instruction and performance opportunities to more than 10,000 children since its inception in 2001.
