Ben Franklin In Paris at 54 Below

This performance will also be livestreamed. For tickets and more information,click here. “A big fat hit!” –NY Journal-American, McClain “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: A Revolutionary Musical in Concert Celebrating the 250th Anniversary of America’s Independence, marking the first time this historic musical will be presented on a New York stage since the original 1964-65 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 King Louis VI to enter into a military alliance with the colonies. In this fanciful retelling of that historic journey, Ben and his grandson, Temple, find adventure, 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”), with lyrics by Sidney Michaels and music by Mark Sandrich, Jr., with additional songs by Jerry Herman. Produced, conceived, directed, and hosted by Tony Award®nomineeWalter Willison, with a cast of Broadway stalwarts and fresh new faces. Music direction byYasuhiko Fukuoka. Associate direction byJo Anna Rushand costume coordination byMitchell Bloom. Featuring: Tony Award®nomineeWalter Willison(Grand Hotel,Pippin,Two By Two)Bistro Award winnerAnn Kittredge(Dessa Rose,A Christmas Carol,King David)Keith Crowningshield(Grand Hotel,Jelly’s Last Jam)Tony Award®nomineeTimothy Jerome(Grand Hotel,Me and My Girl,The Rothschilds)Keaton Miller(Somewhere, Dracula: A Comedy of Terrorsat the Straz Center)Zoë Parrish(Steps thePlay, NYC workshops ofYES! The MusicalandZombie Musical)Ron Spivak(Regional:Man of La Mancha)Melinda Hopkins(Two By Tworegional tour)Sheila Wormer(The Magic Fluteat the Salzburg Music Festival) Ben Franklin In Parisis represented by Concord Theatricals. Please note that all artists and acts are subject to change at any time.