At the Avenue Theater,

March 29 - April 14, 2007

303-329-6242

Benjamin Franklin, Printer, Etc.

with

Burdette Parks in

his nationally touring production.

An original solo show written and performed by Burdette Parks to celebrate Ben's 300th Birthday running at the Avenue Theater, 417 E 17 th Avenue, Denver, from Thursday, March 29 through April 14.

Mr. Parks has presented his lively 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." In a new show, Benjamin Franklin, Printer, Etc., he 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. This past year the show has had successful runs across the country, including Boston, Albany NY, and Houston.

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.