Nissan Sponsors Re-Opening of Historic Franklin Theatre

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May 31, 2011, 01:00 ET

WEEKEND CELEBRATION BEGINS FRIDAY

FRANKLIN, Tenn., May 31, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Franklin Theatre today announced that Nissan Americas will sponsor the historic theater's grand re-opening on Friday, June 3, including a 1930s-themed celebration in downtown Franklin.

Nissan, which opened its Franklin-based Americas regional headquarters in 2008, will help underwrite the Franklin Theatre's family-friendly events planned for that weekend. As a symbol of the company's support, the Nissan LEAF, the world's first affordable, mass-market, all-electric vehicle, will be the official vehicle of the theater's re-opening festivities. Two zero-emission Nissan LEAFs will be displayed on Main Street on the evening of June 3.

"Middle Tennessee is Nissan's home in the Americas and Franklin is the heart of that home," said Jon Brancheau, vice president, Nissan Marketing. "The historic Franklin Theatre perfectly represents our community's strengths – including a commitment to environmentally conscious preservation and a vision for a vibrant future. Nissan is proud to take part in celebrating its rebirth with our neighbors."

Built in 1937, the Franklin Theatre is re-opening to the public following a four-year multi-million-dollar restoration. The 300-seat movie house will resume its tradition of showing current-run and classic movies and, thanks to a new state-of-the-art sound and lighting system, will expand its repertoire to include concerts and plays.

A complete rundown of the theater's grand re-opening details can be found below in this release.

The newly restored Franklin Theatre includes new energy-savings features, including efficient lighting and water systems, making it one of the most environmentally friendly historic preservation projects in Tennessee.

"Like Nissan, the Franklin Theatre is committed to environmental stewardship and sustainability," said Mary Pearce, executive director of the Heritage Foundation of Franklin and Williamson County, which owns the venue. "We couldn't think of a better partner than Nissan to help us reintroduce the theater to the public."

Outdoor festivities for the Franklin Theatre's grand re-opening— scheduled from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. CDT on Friday, June 3 — will include free live entertainment as well as extended hours for Franklin's downtown merchants and restaurants. A swing band will perform on a stage constructed adjacent to the downtown Square.

Giant outdoor movie screens will create Franklin's version of a Hollywood back lot. Side streets where Fourth Avenue crosses Main Street will feature free showings of two classic '30s films — the original "King Kong" (1933), starring Depression-era diva Fay Wray, and everyone's favorite musical fantasy "The Wizard of Oz" (1939) in Technicolor.

A third screen, at Five Points, will feature "Swing Time" (1936), starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. All three movies are listed on the American Film Institute's (AFI) top 100 movies of all time.

Inside the Franklin Theatre, moviegoers will enjoy a late-night 9:30 p.m. screening of "Gone with the Wind," the 1939 classic starring Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh. The four-hour epic won 10 Academy Awards and is the leading '30s film listed on the AFI's top 100. The late-night screening, as well as an encore presentation the next day, sold out within one hour of tickets going on sale last month.

Also on that Friday evening, the Heritage Foundation will host a red-carpet reception for major donors who helped underwrite the Franklin Theatre's multi-million-dollar restoration.

About Nissan Americas

In the Americas, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program and was recognized as an ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 2010 and 2011. More information on Nissan in North America, the Nissan LEAF and zero emissions can be found at www.nissanusa.com.

About Nissan

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Japan's second largest Japanese automotive company by volume, is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan and is an integral pillar of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Operating with more than 150,000 employees globally, Nissan provided customers with more than 4 million vehicles in 2010. With a strong commitment to developing exciting and innovative products for all, Nissan delivers a comprehensive range of fuel-efficient and low-emissions vehicles under the Nissan and Infiniti brands. A pioneer in zero emission mobility, Nissan made history with the introduction of the Nissan LEAF, the first affordable, mass-market, pure-electric vehicle and winner of numerous international accolades including the prestigious 2011 European Car of the Year award.

About the Franklin Theatre

Built in 1937, the Franklin Theatre is part of the Franklin Historic District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The theater is owned and operated by the nonprofit Heritage Foundation of Franklin and Williamson County. For more information, go to www.franklintheatre.com.

FRANKLIN THEATRE GRAND RE-OPENING

Weekend Schedule

Friday, June 3

6 p.m. to 10 p.m. CDT: Downtown Franklin street party featuring live swing music, extended merchant hours, and outdoor screenings of "King Kong," "Swing Time," and "The Wizard of Oz"
9:30 p.m.: Indoor late-night screening of "Gone with the Wind"

Saturday, June 4

10 a.m.: Morning kids' movie "Charlotte's Web"
12 p.m. to 5 p.m.: Town & Country Tour of Homes (w/Franklin Theatre as added feature)
6 p.m.: Encore screening of "Gone with the Wind"

Sunday, June 5