Benjamin Franklin

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.

Photos: 1776 Starring Broadway's Mark Aldrich to Open at Ivoryton Playhouse
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 12, 2026

Ivoryton Playhouse will stage the Tony Award-winning musical 1776, starring Broadway veteran Mark Aldrich, with a cast of 26 actors and an eight-piece orchestra at the Connecticut venue. Check out first look photos.

WHAT PRICE FREEDOM to Return at Moving Arts Theatre Ahead of U.S. 250th
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 11, 2026

Moving Arts Theatre announced a return engagement of Tony Blake's WHAT PRICE FREEDOM, directed by Darin Anthony, starring Rob Nagle as Benjamin Franklin and Brandon Bales as John Adams in Los Angeles.

1776 to Open at Ivoryton Playhouse Starring Mark Aldrich
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 10, 2026

Ivoryton Playhouse will stage the Tony Award-winning musical 1776, starring Broadway veteran Mark Aldrich, with a cast of 26 actors and an 8-piece orchestra at its intimate Connecticut venue.

Interview: John Treacy Egan On Playing Benjamin Franklin in 1776 at Maine State Music Theatre
by Joshua Wright - Jun 10, 2026

Broadway veteran John Treacy Egan discusses making his Maine State Music Theatre debut as Benjamin Franklin in 1776, running June 24 through July 11 at the Pickard Theater in Brunswick.

FRANKLIN'S KEY Returns to Philadelphia Following Award-Winning World Premiere
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 9, 2026

Pig Iron Theatre Company's Barrymore Award-winning production FRANKLIN'S KEY returns to Plays & Players Theatre in Philadelphia, following teenage siblings who uncover Franklin's hidden weather-controlling technology beneath the city.