Benjamin Franklin

Claybourne Elder, Britani Bateman, Charles Busch and More to Perform at 54 Below in September
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 28, 2026

54 Below will host a lineup of performers including Britani Bateman with Lagoona Bloo, Claybourne Elder, Charles Busch, Ute Lemper, Linda Eder, Orfeh, and Jeanna de Waal, alongside a Frank Sinatra tribute concert and other cabaret acts.

RUN BEN RUN Immersive Satire to Premiere in Philadelphia This Fall
by Stephi Wild - Aug 25, 2026

Applied Mechanics and the Christ Church Preservation Trust will present the world premiere of RUN BEN RUN, an immersive satire exploring American progress, fame and failure at Christ Church Neighborhood House.

Review: GERSHWIN, BERNSTEIN & AMERICAN MOSAIC with the NSO, Gianandrea Noseda Conductor and Renée Fleming at Wolf Trap
by Elliot Lanes - Aug 20, 2026

One of the best way to celebrate America’s 250th birthday took place at Wolf Trap this past Saturday evening. The concert entitled Gershwin, Bernstein & American Mosaic featured great music from some of our most legendary composers as well as a new piece written by a modern day musical genius. All of this audible brilliance was executed superbly by YOUR National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) under the direction of Maestro Gianandrea Noseda.

Photos: 1776 to Open This Week at Little Theatre of Fall River
by Stephi Wild - Aug 4, 2026

Little Theatre of Fall River will present 1776, a musical with music and lyrics by Sherman Edwards and book by Peter Stone. Check out photos here!

Review: 1776 at Gettysburg Community Theatre
by Andrea Stephenson - Jul 20, 2026

Gettysburg Community Theatre’s production of 1776 is powerful, entertaining, and thought-provoking. Their whole run has sold out, but this reviewer is looking forward to seeing their next production.

1776 to Add Performance at Ivoryton Playhouse After Record-Breaking Run
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 15, 2026

Ivoryton Playhouse has added a performance of the Tony Award-winning musical 1776 after its run sold out completely, giving audiences one more chance to see the production starring Broadway's Mark Aldrich.

AGATHA CHRISTIE'S THE MURDER OF ROGER ACKROYD: Westport Country Playhouse to Host Christie Symposium
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 14, 2026

Westport Country Playhouse will present a free public symposium titled 'Christie at 100...Still Going Strong,' featuring bestselling authors and a veteran book discussion moderator exploring why Christie's mysteries endure.

Review: 1776 at Musicals At Richter
by Sean Fallon - Jul 12, 2026

On Saturday, July 11th, I had the pleasure of seeing yet another phenomenal production at Musicals at Richter, in Danbury, 1776. Seeing this show at this outdoor venue on a clear night is a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Robert Bria designed the set, which primarily depicts the inside of Independence Hall. Director David Halliwell, music director Andrew Gadwah, and choreographer Emma Kelly help bring out the best in this stellar cast! The stage chemistry and stage presence of this cast is so strong that the audience can easily forget that we are not watching an actual debate. I had never seen this show before and was quite impressed by how it draws the audience right in and consistently holds our attention. It was clear that the entire cast had fun performing.

KAYENTA NEW PLAY LAB to Return for Fourth Year With Six Playwrights
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 10, 2026

Kayenta Arts will present its 2026 KAYENTA NEW PLAY LAB, featuring six playwrights selected by a panel of experts for 10-day development residencies, culminating in staged readings and post-show discussions.

Video: 'The Egg' From 1776 at Maine State Music Theatre
by Michael Major - Jul 8, 2026

Maine State Music Theatre posted a clip of 'The Egg' from its production of 1776, featuring James Patterson as John Adams, John Treacy Egan as Benjamin Franklin, and Quinn Corcoran as Thomas Jefferson. Watch the video!

1776 to Open at Middlesex County's Plays-in-the-Park in Edison
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 6, 2026

Plays-in-the-Park will present 1776 on the open-air stage at the Stephen J. Capestro Theatre in Edison's Roosevelt Park, with Maximilian Jurisic as John Adams and Brian Lynch as Benjamin Franklin.

Photos: First Look at THE SOUND OF AMERICA at FringeArts
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 2, 2026

Philadelphia theater audiences can now experience the world premiere of The Sound of America, a rock musical created by Randall Lane and Todd Schwartz, reimagining Benjamin Franklin as America’s first rock star. See photos!

1776, COME FROM AWAY & More Lead Maine Theatre Summer Picks
by Carla Maria Verdino-Süllwold - Jun 30, 2026

Though for many residents and folks from away, summer in Maine signifies a chance to revel in gorgeous scenery - beaches, lakes, trails – summer is also time to enjoy two of Maine’s premiere regional companies, Maine State Music Theatre and Ogunquit Playhouse.(see Dan Marois’ review below)  This year the lineups at both companies are stellar, but my critic’s pick for 2026 are two productions at Maine State Music Theatre in Brunswick:  the musical 1776 (now playing through July 11) and COME FROM AWAY scheduled for August 5-22 at the Pickard Theater on the campus of Bowdoin College.

Photos: 1776 at Ivoryton Playhouse
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 29, 2026

Ivoryton Playhouse's production of the Tony Award-winning musical 1776, starring Broadway's Mark Aldrich, has opened to enthusiastic audience and critical response at the Connecticut venue. Check out photos of the show.

Review: THE LABORS OF LIBERTY: MSMT'S 1776 CHRONICLES THE BIRTH OF OUR NATION
by Carla Maria Verdino-Süllwold - Jun 26, 2026

What better way to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence than by mounting a stirring production of the musical 1776. That is just what Maine State Music Theatre has chosen to do – the only regional company in Maine to receive the rights at present - for the Sherman Edwards 1969 show that delivers a witty, riveting, deeply human and affecting account of our Founding Fathers. Directed by Amber Mak and featuring stunning cast of twenty-eight, MSMT‘s production is one of those artistic events audiences cannot afford to miss.

1776 to Open Musicals at Richter's 42nd Outdoor Season in Danbury
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 23, 2026

Musicals at Richter, Connecticut's longest-running outdoor theater, will present the Tony Award-winning musical 1776 to kick off its 42nd season at the Richter Arts Center in Danbury.

1776 to Be Performed by Town Hall Theater Young Company in Middlebury
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 22, 2026

Town Hall Theater Young Company will present 1776 THE MUSICAL in Middlebury, Vermont, with three performances scheduled across one weekend.

1776 to Open at Super Summer Theatre With Special July 4 Performance
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 22, 2026

Super Summer Theatre will present the Tony Award-winning musical 1776 at Spring Mountain Ranch State Park in Las Vegas, including a special Independence Day performance marking America's 250th birthday.

1776 to Open at Little Theatre of Fall River Amid America's 250th Anniversary
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 22, 2026

Little Theatre of Fall River will present the musical 1776, directed by Paula Arruda, at B.M.C. Durfee High School in Fall River, MA, marking the 250th anniversary of the United States.

Previews: 1776 at Eight O'Clock Theatre
by Deborah Bostock-Kelley - Jun 19, 2026

Eight O’Clock Theatre reimagines 1776 for the 250th Anniversary with a sharp, contemporary staging that brings the Continental Congress into the world of today. Director James Grenelle leads a powerhouse ensemble through a production that highlights how urgently the debates of 1776 still echo in 2026.