Saturday, March 31, 2007

Ben Franklin On Stage!

Tonight, join Mary and me for this exciting theatre event!

VENTURE WEST presents Burdette Parks as Benjamin Franklin, Printer, Etc. "Benjamin Franklin, Printer, Etc.", an original solo show written and performed by Burdette Parks to celebrate Ben's 300th Birthday opens at the Avenue Theatre on Thursday, March 29 through April 14.

For fifteen years, from 1982 to 1997, Mr. Parks presented his interpretation of America's most personable Founding Father to hundreds of audiences around the United States in his critically acclaimed one-man show, "Frankly, B. Franklin". His new show, "Benjamin Franklin, Printer, Etc.", brings Franklin back to the stage to celebrate the 300th birthday of this most prototypical of American prototypes.

Among numerous performances around the country, Parks has performed as Franklin before 100,000 at Washington D.C.'s bicentennial celebration of the Constitution in 1987, and with the Coast Guard Band in New London, CT.

As a printer and a businessman, Ben Franklin defined the beginnings of Americanism. As a Renaissance man in the age of Enlightenment, his curiosity and insights advanced the studies of physics, biology, meteorology, anthropology, and oceanography.

As a public servant he was intimately involved in the machinations that separated the colonies from Great Britain setting a new course for the New World. And as the best known and most highly regarded American in Europe, Franklin's prestige was vital in securing the support and aid that made it possible to win the Revolution.

In "Benjamin Franklin, Printer, Etc.", the audience is treated to a visit with Ben Franklin in his most comfortable environment--his print shop. This realization of the sly old statesman focuses on his practical side, a side that informed and influenced all other aspects of his multifarious life. Here is Franklin, the printer at work in his shop--at his press, setting type and printing. Acknowledging the audience, he entertains and enlightens his visitors with his thoughts, ideas and life stories as he goes about his business.

"Benjamin Franklin, Printer, Etc." will be at the Avenue Theatre, 417 E. 17th Avenue, March 29-April 14 with curtain time at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for this special engagement are $22 for adults, $20 for students and seniors, and $18 for groups of 10 or more. Please call the box office at 303-329-6242 ### "Benjamin Franklin, Printer, Etc." by Burdette Parks An evening with Ben Franklin, the man. March 29-April 14. Thurs. / Fri. / Sat. 7:30 p.m. The Avenue Theatre, 417 E. 17th Avenue, Denver, CO 80203 Tickets: $22 adults, $20 students/seniors, $18 groups of 10 or more Box Office: 303-329-6242. Visa Mastercard Discover American Express accepted.

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