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Ben Franklin In Paris In Concert at 54 Below
Dates: 9/13/2026
at 7:00 PM
📍 Theatre: 54 Below
Willisong Productions
254 W 54th St. Cellar
New York, NY 10019
Phone: (646) 476-3551
Tickets: $30.50–$107.50
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“A big fat hit!”-John McClain,NY Journal-American
“Freshly charming entertainment.”-Richard Watts, Jr.,New York Post
“Something special in the way of a Broadway achievement…sets the standard of civility and wit.”-Frederick H. Guidry,The Christian Science Monitor
“It rings with the rich observations and sharp humor of the philosopher-scholar.”-Ernest Scheir,Philadelphia Bulletin
"Half the battle is learning to smile” and audiences are sure to be smiling when 54 Below presentsBen Franklin in Paris In Concert: Celebrating the 250th Anniversary of America’s Independence. This presentation marks the first time this rare musical will be seen in New York since the original 1965 Broadway production. With lyrics by Sidney Michaels, music is by Mark Sandrich, Jr., and additional music & lyrics by Jerry Herman.
Produced, adapted, directed, and starring Tony Award© nominee and Theatre World Award winner Walter Willison (Grand Hotel, Two By Two, Pippin) with musical direction by James Woods, also starring Bistro and MAC Award winner Ann Kittredge (Dessa Rose, A Christmas Carol, King David), Keith Crowningshield (Grand Hotel, Jelly's Last Jam), Tony Award nominee Timothy Jerome (Grand Hotel, Me and My Girl, The Rothschilds), Keaton Miller (Somewhere, Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors at the Straz Center), Zoë Parrish (Steps the Play, NYC workshops: YES! The Musical, Zombie Musical), Ron Spivak (Man of La Mancha regional tour), Melinda Hopkins (Two By Two regional tour), and Sheila Wormer (The Magic Flute at the Salzburg Music Festival). Willison, Jerome, and Crowningshield previously appeared together in the original Broadway cast of Tommy Tune's Tony Award© winning Grand Hotel.
The creative team also includes associate director Joanne Rush (A Chorus Line, Shirley MacLaine at The Palace, Asking for It), costume coordinator Mitchell Bloom (27 Broadway shows, The Metropolitan Opera), Zoë Parrish is assistant director, and Luke Byrne is stage manager.
What better way to celebrate the 2026 semiquincentennial of the birth of our nation than with “The First American,” Benjamin Franklin? It’s 1776, the Colonies are in peril of losing the Revolutionary War, and America’s First Diplomat is dispatched to Paris to convince the King to enter into a military alliance with the fledging United States. Ben and his grandson, Temple, find adventure and romance in this fanciful retelling of that adventure, filled with romance, intrigue, spies, and songs of inspiration (“Half the Battle”), wit (“I Invented Myself,” “God Bless the Human Elbow”), wisdom (“Look for Small Pleasures”), and love (“To Be Alone With You”).
Ben Franklin in Parisis represented by Concord Theatricals. Please note that all artists and acts are subject to change at any time.
Ben Franklin In Paris In Concert at 54 Below Schedule
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About the Theatre
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54 Below Frequently Asked QuestionsFAQ
What shows are coming up next at 54 Below?
¡Pa'l Bosque! Honoring Stephen Sondheim (09/21/26-09/21/26)
¡Pa’l Bosque!: Honoring Stephen Sondheim (09/21/26-09/21/26)
Voices of Empowerment Take Center Stage (09/21/26-09/21/26)
Seth Sikes with Tedd Firth: Together at Last! (09/22/26-09/22/26)
54 Sings Sabrina Carpenter (09/22/26-09/22/26)
See all upcoming shows at 54 Below
¡Pa’l Bosque!: Honoring Stephen Sondheim (09/21/26-09/21/26)
Voices of Empowerment Take Center Stage (09/21/26-09/21/26)
Seth Sikes with Tedd Firth: Together at Last! (09/22/26-09/22/26)
54 Sings Sabrina Carpenter (09/22/26-09/22/26)
See all upcoming shows at 54 Below
Where is 54 Below located?
54 Below is at 254 W 54th St. Cellar, New York, NY.
What shows have played recently at 54 Below?
Love In Full Bloom: A New Season of Feelings-Second Edition (09/20/26-09/20/26)
Litusical the Musical by Adam Azrieli and Payton Daly (09/20/26-09/20/26)
Litusical the Movie Musical by Adam Azrieli and Payton Daly (09/20/26-09/20/26)
Ute Lemper: Celebrating Marlene Dietrich’s 125th Birthday (09/19/26-09/19/26)
54 Sings Broadway's Greatest Hits! (09/19/26-09/19/26)
See more shows at 54 Below
Litusical the Musical by Adam Azrieli and Payton Daly (09/20/26-09/20/26)
Litusical the Movie Musical by Adam Azrieli and Payton Daly (09/20/26-09/20/26)
Ute Lemper: Celebrating Marlene Dietrich’s 125th Birthday (09/19/26-09/19/26)
54 Sings Broadway's Greatest Hits! (09/19/26-09/19/26)
See more shows at 54 Below
Is there parking?
Parking lot next-door to 54 Below
What is the running time?
90 minutes
Is there an intermission?
No
What ages is this show appropriate for?
All ages
Is the theatre accessible?
Yes
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