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Franklinland
FRANKLINLAND
Philadelphia Premiere
By Lloyd Suh
Directed by Charles McMahon

May 7 – June 14, 2026

Benjamin Franklin played many roles: publisher, inventor, political agitator, diplomat – and he wanted his son to follow him into the sciences. When William rebels and becomes the Royal Governor of New Jersey, the stage is set for a father-son conflict of international proportions. Join us for the Philadelphia premiere of Lloyd Suh's endearing comedy of Revolutionary consequences, in the city where it happened.

WATCH THE OFFICIAL TRAILER

ARTISTS IN CONVERSATION: FRANKLINLAND
FRANKLINLAND on THE LANTERN SEARCHLIGHT BLOG
Written by Lantern Resident Dramaturg Meghan Winch, these articles are hosted on Medium and will load in a new browser tab. No sign-in required!

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NEW! Artist Interview: Actors Frank X and Dave Johnson
The actors who play Ben and William Franklin discuss playing historical figures – and playing together onstage

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Fathers and Sons in Dramatic Literature
Ambition, expectation, and idolization in some of theater's most famous patriarchal pairs

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The Loyal Royalists: The Tory Movement in Revolutionary America
Not all colonists were revolutionaries – including Benjamin Franklin's own son, William

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QUIZ: How Well Do You Know Benjamin Franklin?
Learn more about Franklin's life, then test your knowledge!

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250 Years and Counting: Tell Us What America's Semiquincentennial Means to You?
Share your thoughts about 2026 with the Lantern and look for a round-up of our patrons' thoughts and ideas the week of June 8th

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Philadelphia in Benjamin Franklin's Time
Learn more about the early days of our city

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Franklin's Institutions
Learn more about the organizations Benjamin Franklin started that we still use today

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Franklin the Scientist
Learn more about Benjamin Franklin's many contributions to our daily lives

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MEET THE ARTISTS
The Cast
Dave Johnson as William  •  Gavin Spiewak as Temple  •  Frank X as Ben

The Creative Team
Charles McMahon, Director  •  Scott Cassidy and Kate Coots, Scenic Designers • Marla Jurglanis, Costume Designer  •  Tydell Williams, Lighting Designer  •  Michael Hahn, Sound Designer  •  J. Alex Cordaro, Fight Director  •  Maya Nguyen-Haberneski, Stage Manager

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Header Photo: Lawrence Stallings in the world premiere of Me and the Devil (2021); Anthony Lawton and Dave Johnson in Travesties (2022); Melissa Rakiro and Joanna Liao in Twelfth Night (2023); and Paul L. Nolan, Sally Mercer, and Charles McMahon in Copenhagen (2018). Photos by Mark Garvin.

Lantern Theater Company acknowledges that it is situated on Lenapehoking, the ancestral and spiritual homeland of the Unami Lenape, and we pay respect to them as this region's original storytellers.

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