BY ED COURRIER

Special to The Press

“The Fries Rebellion,” where history comes to life, premiered at a gala at Wind Creek Bethlehem in August.

The turbulent tale is viewed through the eyes of teenager Kayla, played by Nancy Kimball, as her history professor Uncle Steve, portrayed by Jon Reinhold, introduces her to several Lehigh Valley historic sites in the 30-minute independent film.

The docudrama toggles between present day and the past when auctioneer, John Fries and his followers rebelled against a recently-passed federal property tax during the fall and winter of 1798-99.

The Kayla and her uncle follow the insurrectionists’ footsteps from the Red Lion Inn in Quakertown where newly-appointed tax assessors were first confronted to Bethlehem’s Sun Inn where the mob secured the release of their fellow malcontents held prisoner there by threatening to burn down the town.

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 The 1803 House in Emmaus in March.

With the screenplay written by Lower Macungie Township Historical Society President Sarajane Williams, the society’s history buffs worked on the youth-friendly 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.

“I had no idea of what I was getting into when we started this,” Williams said. “It’s been worth it.” An accomplished musician herself, Williams also contributed to composing the soundtrack.

More than 200 attendees enjoyed dinner and drinks with the film. Speakers included Lehigh County Executive Phillips Armstrong, Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure, Lower Macungie Township Commissioner Brian Higgins, historian Patrick Donmoyer and filmmaker Dan Hertzog.

Classical guitarist Ted Williams, along with Karen El-Chaar and Joshua Fink of The Musick of the American Revolution of Salisbury and Allen Town provided historically-inspired musical entertainment.

Among the awards “The Fries Rebellion” recently earned are “Best Production Design” (Alex Nicoletti and Kristin Wettstein) and “Best Realistic Story” (Sarajane Williams) at the 2024 Pageant Film Festival.

Williams is excited to announce the film is a finalist in three categories of the 2024 Los Angeles Indie Shorts Fest.

These are for “Best Male Director” (Dan Hertzog); “Best Producer” (Ganna Hertzog, Beth Clausnitzer, Ruthy Cruz, Ann Knerr, Ann Bartholomew, Danita Fries, Sarajane Williams and Cody Hawley) and “Best Indie Short” (Dan Hertzog).

There will be several opportunities to view screenings of “The Fries Rebellion” at area historical societies and other local venues.

Proceeds from the premier and gala, as well as from upcoming screening fundraisers will be used to distribute the legacy film to schools, other nonprofits and various media outlets.

For information, go to friesrebellionfilm.com.