Ben Franklin In Paris In Concert at 54 Below

“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. 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”). Lyrics are by Sidney Michaels and music is by Mark Sandrich, Jr., with additional music & lyrics by Jerry Herman. Produced, conceived, directed, and hosted by Tony Award®nomineeWalter Willison(Grand Hotel,Two by Two,Pippin), with a cast of Broadway stalwarts and fresh new faces, and musical direction byElliot Finkel(Evita,Michael Feinstein in concert, Sid Caesar & Company). Cast of stars to be announced! Ben Franklin in Parisis represented by Concord Theatricals. Please note that all artists and acts are subject to change at any time.