Based on his extensive study of Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790), Barry Stevens of Arlington, Virginia will deliver an interactive performance focusing on this Founding Father’s wit, wisdom, and scientific contributions.

His uncanny resemblance to Franklin combined with his authentic 18th-century attire and historically accurate and interactive storytelling makes it easy for audiences to believe Stevens is Ben Franklin.  

This is the third program in the Deane Center’s History Comes Alive series, which is focusing on six historic figures in celebration of America’s 250th birthday.

The show will be at 7:30 p.m. this Friday, May 15 in the Coolidge Theatre at the Deane Center for the Performing Arts at 104 Main Street in Wellsboro.

Franklin’s only props are bifocals he invented in 1784 to address his own eye problems, a walking stick and a stool to sit on. Speaking in the first person as Franklin, Stevens will provide information about his life by asking and answering two questions from the stage. Who am I? What are my accomplishments?

The audience will be invited to ask Ben questions, too. 

Franklin has been called “the most accomplished American of his age and the most influential in inventing the type of society America would become.”

He was America’s only Founding Father who signed all four key documents between 1776 and 1787 that established the United States.

Franklin also had exceptional, in-depth knowledge and expertise spanning multiple distinct fields. He was a leading author, printer, publisher, political theorist, politician, freemason, scientist, civic activist, statesman, diplomat and this country’s first postmaster general.

He revolutionized the understanding of electricity by proving that lightning is an electrical phenomenon when he conducted his famous 1752 kite-and-key experiment to draw “electric fire” from the sky.

Franklin was also a prolific inventor who created the lightning rod, bifocals, the Franklin stove, and the glass harmonica, a musical instrument. Driven by a desire to solve everyday problems, he also invented swim fins, the odometer, a flexible urinary catheter, and the “long arm” reaching device,

The other shows in the series are at 7:30 p.m. in the Coolidge Theatre on the following dates: Tuesday, June 23, Bob Gleason as Charles Willson Peale; Friday, July 10, Tom Pitz as Thomas Jefferson; and Tuesday, Oct. 13, Neill Hartley as Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Admission is free for youth under 21 years of age. Tickets for adults 21 and older are $15 for each show. To reserve a seat or for tickets or more information, visit deanecenter.com or call 570-724-6220.

All History Comes Alive performances are made possible by grants received from PA250 & the Charles Knox and Margaret Etner Foundation.