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Overview

Synopsis

Ben Franklin in Paris tells the story of one man's quest to make American a free country. With cunning and grace, Ben manages to gain support from both the French and the Spanish in his fight against the British.

Show Information

Book
Sidney Michaels
Music
Jerry Herman
Lyrics
Sidney Michaels
Category
Musical
Age Guidance
Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
Number of Acts
2
First Produced
1964
Genres
Drama
Cast Size
medium
Licensor
Samuel French
Ideal For
Mostly Male Cast, Includes Adult, Mature Adult, Child, Early Teen, Late Teen, Young Adult, Elderly Characters, Medium Cast

Context


Plot


Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Ben Franklin

Lead

Male

Baritone

Madame La Comtesse Diane de Vobrillac

Lead

Female

Temple Franklin

Supporting

Male

Benjamin Franklin Bache

Supporting

Male

Janine

Supporting

Female

Louis XVI

Supporting

Male

Pedro Count de Aranda

Featured

Male

Captain Wickes

Featured

Male

Pierre Caron de Beaumarchais

Featured

Male

David Lord Stormont

Featured

Male

Spanish Aide-de-Camp

Featured

Male

Daughter of Spanish Ambassador

Featured

Female

Ensemble

Ensemble

Either Gender

Bache

Male

Songs

Act I

  • "We Sail the Seas"
  • "I Invented Myself"
  • "Too Charming" – music and lyrics by Jerry Herman[1]
  • "What Became of Old Temple"
  • "Half the Battle"
  • "A Balloon Is Ascending"
  • "To Be Alone with You" – music and lyrics by Jerry Herman[1]
  • "You're in Paris"
  • "How Laughable It Is"
  • "Hic Haec Hoc"
  • "God Bless the Human Elbow"

Act II

  • "When I Dance with the Person I Love"
  • "Diane Is"
  • "Look for Small Pleasures"
  • "I Love the Ladies"
  • "To Be Alone with You"

A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

Monologues

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Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

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