Chicago Children's Theatre set for Mesmerized: A Ben Franklin Science & History Mystery
Chicago Children's Theatre, the city's premier professional theatre committed to children and young families, is set to kick off its 19th season with an exhilarating debut production, the world premiere of Mesmerized: A Ben Franklin Science & History Mystery.
Combining elements of farce and docudrama, Mesmerized provides an entertaining new exposure to Ben Franklin for children. Renowned as one of the leading figures who founded our nation and an esteemed scientist, he is best remembered for his pioneering work in harnessing electricity using a kite and a key.
With excellent storytelling, dynamic humor, and audience participation, Ben and his witty, bold young niece, Sarah, venture to France. There, they uncover that individuals are being cured in an enchanting manner by a cryptic individual - Dr. Mesmer. Subsequently, Ben and Sarah decide to utilize the Scientific Method to scrutinize Dr. Mesmer's purported mystical abilities. Is it science, magic, or will we all end up being Mesmerized?
Mesmerized: A Ben Franklin Science & History Mystery draws its narrative from the genuine scientific confrontation that occurred between Ben Franklin and Dr. Franz Mesmer, an Austrian doctor famed for introducing the concept of "animal magnetism" and being one of the rare people whose name has evolved into a commonly used verb - mesmerize. In 1782, Franklin was called upon by the King of France and his young wife, Marie Antoinette, to Versailles, where he put Dr. Mesmer's questionable miracle cure to a definitive test using the Scientific Method.
"In the end, the story of Ben Franklin and Franz Mesmer exhibits the strength of the imagination and the power of the Placebo Effect," states Suzanne Maynard Miller, the adaptor of the play, influenced by Mara Rockcliff's book "Mesmerized: How Ben Franklin Solved a Mystery that Baffled All of France." "But, most of all, this narrative explores the idea of science and its capacity to guide us as we navigate this thing called life."
Mesmerized: A Ben Franklin Science & History Mystery is scheduled to run from September 23 through October 15, 2023, with shows on Saturdays and Sundays at 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. The running time is approximately 60 minutes. The show is suggested for children aged seven and above.
To see a list of all children's shows in the area check out our Children's Shows in Chicago page