Frankly Ben Franklin

THIS MUSICAL IS PERFECT to celebrate the 2026 Two Hundred Fiftieth Anniversary of the United States! Book, Music and Lyrics by Darryl  Bojanowski.  Orchestrations by Bill Corcoran. As Benjamin Franklin writes his memoirs, he naturally recalls all the great things he did.  But he cannot escape the sadnesses in his life, especially his estrangement from his son William. In the end he realizes that his greatest accomplishment is helping to create the United States of America.

CASTING CHOICES: SMALL CAST: 3 M, 3 F with multiple roles OR LARGE CAST:   5 M, 4 F, Boy (age 8-12); and SATB Chorus any size (singer/actors needed).   ALSO:  SPECIAL PRICING for theatres that TOUR to SCHOOLS (minimal set needed)

SYNOPSIS: Frankly Ben Franklin, largely based on the founding father’s autobiography, is more than a simple recap of his many accomplishments. It does feature such things as his successful printing business (including Poor Richard’s Almanack and the Pennsylvania Gazette) and his famous kite-flying experiment. But it also looks at his relationships with his wife Debby and his son William. While married for 44 years, Ben was in England for 15 of those years, returning to Philadelphia after she died. William became governor of New Jersey but remained loyal to George III and the two never reconciled. In the musical, as Ben is writing his memoirs, he is bombarded by a barrage of memories that refuse to come one at a time. By the end, we see his proudest memory, the signing of the Constitution of the United States, which created “a republic. If you can keep it.”  Originally produced at A Premiere Playhouse, a regional musical theatre in Columbus, Ohio. 

ORCHESTRATION CHOICES: 1) 8 piece orchestra OR 2) Piano/Keyboard and Percussion OR 3) Digital Orchestra Performance .mp3 Tracks   ALL 3 are included.  

PERFORMANCE TIME: approx. 85 minutes plus intermission 

HOW TO LICENSE THIS MUSICAL FOR PERFORMANCE: Your purchase of the minimum required Libretto/Vocal Books allows you to PRODUCE this show!  Simply email a copy of your JW Pepper receipt to [email protected] and you will sign a contract with TND MUSICALS for your performance dates.  All Production Materials - which currently cost $370 - are delivered digitally so you don't have to erase markings and mail the orchestra books back!  If you are an accredited School Theatre, there are NO LICENSING FEES.  All other theatres will pay a negotiated licensing fee based on your number of performances, ticket prices and seating capacity.  More information at www.LicenSINGMusicals.com