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The Fries Rebellion: Side Order of History

Published August 08. 2024 11:38AM

By ED COURRIER

Special to The Press

“The Fries Rebellion” comes to life through the eyes of a teenage girl as her history professor uncle introduces her to several Lehigh Valley historic sites in an independent film premiering at Wind Creek Bethlehem on Aug. 25.

In fall and winter 1798-1799, vendue cryer, aka auctioneer, John Fries, and his followers rebelled against a recently passed federal property tax passed by President John Adams’ administration.

The movie’s protagonists, Kayla, played by Nancy Kimball, and Steve, portrayed by Jon Reinhold, follow the insurrectionists’ footsteps from the Red Lion Inn in Quakertown where newly-appointed tax assessors were first confronted at Bethlehem’s Sun Inn where the mob secured the release of their fellow malcontents held prisoner there by threatening to burn down the town.

The youth-friendly approach to teaching history toggles smoothly between past and present as the young woman’s mind wanders in and out of the late 1790s as historic events, driven by misinformation, unfold.

She learns that “fake news” is nothing new.

In addition to the Red Lion Inn and Sun Inn, filming took place at the Buckeye Tavern in Macungie, 1760 Pub N Grille in Trexlertown, as well as Shelter House and 1803 House in Emmaus, from March 4-12.

“My first words were not Mama or Dada. They were fries,” quipped Emmy Award-winning TV personality Carson Kressley at the film’s fundraiser Feb. 4 at Folino Estate Winery, Greenwich Township, Berks County.

The Claussville native quickly mentioned that John Fries’ name is pronounced “freeze.”

Kressley portrays Gen. William McPherson, leading federal forces that quelled the uprising in the 30-minute docudrama.

A host of local talent appear in various scenes, including Jason Searock from Telford, who portrays Fries.

Danita Fries from Montgomery County, a distant relative of John Fries, is cast as Anna Marie Wolle.

As production armorer, Stephen Krentler from Bethlehem Township, kept a sharp eye out making sure only period appropriate weapons, apparel and props appear on screen.

He also is cast as Henry Shiffert, one of Fries’ followers.

With the screenplay written by Lower Macungie Township Historical Society President Sarajane Williams, the society’s history buffs worked on the project as a local contribution to America’s upcoming 250th anniversary.

Partnering with LMTHS are Dan Hertzog and crew from New Jersey-based In the Wee Hours, and Craig Friebolin and crew from Allentown-based ubiFire.

“The Fries Rebellion” Film Premiere and Gala is scheduled for 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 25 at Wind Creek, 77 Wind Creek Blvd., Bethlehem.

The red-carpet event includes drinks, music, seated dinner, behind the scenes photos and a screening of the educational film.

Proceeds from this fundraiser will be used to distribute the legacy film to schools, other nonprofits and various media outlets.

The last day of ticket sales is Aug. 10 for the “The Fries Rebellion” Premiere and Gala.

For more information, go to friesrebellionfilm.com.

PRESS PHOTOS BY ED COURRIERJohn Fries, played by Jason Searock from Telford, demands U.S. Marshal William Nichols, portrayed by Michael Patrick Owen from Nazareth, and Capt. Henry “Light Horse” Jarrett, played by Rek Anthony from North Whitehall, release their prisoners held in the Sun Inn. The scene was filmed March 11 in the Sun Inn’s gaststube (guest parlor).
In foreground, Macungie resident Greg Laubach, as Henry Stahler, has his makeup freshened by makeup artist Jaycie Ry, from Nazareth, ahead of another take outside the entrance of the Sun Inn, Bethlehem, on March 11.
Behind the scenes hand Josh Poplawski, sound supervisor Rob Zogby, and wardrobe assistant Madelyn Dundon take a break from filming at Shelter House in Emmaus to cuddle with the movie’s unofficial mascot “Lily.” The Jack Russell Chihuahua mix is 5 months old.
In the foreground, John Fries, played by Jason Searock from Telford, stops his followers from storming the Sun Inn during a scene filmed March 11. At left is Anna Marie Wolle, portrayed by Danita Fries from Montgomery County. Next to her is Henry Huber, played by David A. Pribulka, from New Tripoli.
Lower Macungie Township Historical Society President Sarajane Williams, with society members Lee Lichtenwalner, Kris Seedorff and Greg Laubach between takes during filming March 12 at Shelter House. Lichtenwalner is in costume as Daniel Schwartz Sr. Laubach portrayed Henry Stahler.
At center, armorer Stephen Krentler advises Tyler West from Jim Thorpe ahead of a scene filmed at Shelter House on March 12. Behind them is Carter Sachse from Orefield. West and Sachse portray federal soldiers sent to put down the insurrection. Bethlehem Township resident Krentler plays their prisoner, Henry Shiffert.
Owner of Bethlehem Township-based Horses Unplugged, Heidi von Liebenstein, leads “Typhoon,” ridden by Patrick Voss Davis portraying Jacob Schaeffer, for “The Fries Rebellion.” Behind them, the 1803 House in Emmaus served as a stand-in for the 1780s Schaeffer farm for the indie film on March 12. Originally from Bethlehem, Voss Davis resides in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Greg Laubach as Henry Stahler and David A. Pribulka as Henry Huber threaten the authorities inside The Sun Inn during the March 11 filming of “The Fries Rebellion.” Laubach is a Macungie resident and Pribulka lives in New Tripoli.
Local cast members portraying insurrectionists line up ahead of filming a scene at the Sun Inn. Leading the column are Greg Laubach from Macungie as Henry Stahler and David A. Pribulka from New Tripoli as Henry Huber.
TV personality and Claussville native Carson Kressley at the Feb. 4 fundraiser at Folino Estate Winery. He portrays Gen. William McPherson in the indie film.