Ben Franklin & Baron von Steuben vs. the Paine County School Board

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Ben Franklin & Baron von Steuben vs. the Paine County School Board

May 20, 2016 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm

|Recurring Event (See all)

$17 – $20

Type: Theatre

This Event:

*Is LGBTQ hosted

*Includes LGBTQ content

*May be of interest to the LGBTQ community

Individuals of all political persuasions invoke the “Founding Fathers” to justify their positions – but have you ever wondered what the Founding Fathers themselves would think?

That’s the question at the heart of Ben Franklin & Baron von Steuben vs. the Paine County School Board, the latest play from TAPIT/new works Ensemble Theater opening Friday,

May 6 and running through Saturday, May 21 at TAPIT/new works Theater, 1957 Winnebago Street on Madison’s east side.

The play is inspired by a little-known historical fact – Baron von Steuben, the Revolutionary War hero credited with transforming the Continental Army into a force capable of beating the British, was a gay man. When a history teacher in the fictitious Paine County School District teaches this, and conservative school board members get wind of it, the stage is set for dramatic confrontation.

All this proves a bit much for Franklin and von Steuben, who’ve been observing the action from the Great Beyond. They decide to risk intervening in contemporary affairs to set the record straight, successfully transforming controversy into comedy and demonstrating that even if history doesn’t repeat itself, it will still try almost anything to get your attention.

Written by Danielle Dresden, Ben Franklin & Baron von Steuben vs. the Paine County School Board is directed by Stephen F. Murray and performed by Francisco Torres, Krystal Lonsdale, Liz Light, Issac Brieske, Donna Peckett, and Dresden.

Peckett and Dresden, TAPIT/new works’ producing artistic directors, will play the parts of von Steuben and Ben Franklin in drag. Stage manager Emily Morrison-Weeks, costume designer Rebecca Sites, lighting designer Patricia Micetic, and graphic artist Michael Duffy round out the production staff.

Performances are May 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 20, 21, at 7:30 PM. Tickets are $20 for general audiences and $17 for students. Tickets are available at brownpapertickets.com. All performances are at the fully accessible studio theater, TAPIT/new works, 1957 Winnebago Street. Contact TAPIT/new works Ensemble Theater, 608.244.2938, info@tapitnewworks.org for more information.

 

Details

Date:
May 20, 2016
Time:
7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Cost:
$17 – $20
Event Category:
Event Tags:
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Website:
http://www.tapitnewworks.org/news/ben-franklin-baron-von-steuben-vs-the-paine-county-school-board/

Organizer

TAPIT/new works
Email
info@tapitnewworks.org
View Organizer Website

Venue

TAPIT/new works Ensemble Theater
1957 Winnebago St.
Madison, WI 53704 United States
+ Google Map
Phone
608-244-2938
View Venue Website
Ballet - Timeless - 300x300
Division of the arts

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