Renaissance Center presents true story of man’s struggle with addiction, homelessness

The Renaissance Center presents three special performances of a play about one man’s struggle with homelessness and addiction, and the man who helped turn his life around. “Stand” is the true story of Johnny “JJ” Ellis, who spent three drug-addicted decades on the streets of Nashville and a good Samaritan who stepped up to help him. Written by Jim Reyland and directed by David Compton, “Stand” is being presented throughout Middle Tennessee to raise awareness of the plight of the homeless and the performances at The Renaissance Center will benefit Room In The Inn, a Nashville shelter program. Performances are 7:30 pm Friday and Saturday and 2 pm Sunday in the Anne Deason Performance Hall at The Renaissance Center. Tickets are $15. Noted Nashville actor Barry Scott plays Ellis and Chip Arnold portrays the man who cared enough to reach out in a true story of addiction, grace, friendship and redemption. Tickets for “Stand” are available at The Renaissance Center box office at 740-5600 or online at rcenter.org.