<html aria-label="message body"><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><h1 style="margin: 30pt 0in 6pt; line-height: 31.466665px; break-after: auto; font-size: 20pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; background: white;"><a name="_86kc4htbbops"></a><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 23pt; line-height: 36.186665px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<o:p></o:p></span></b></h1><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background: white;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">January 14, 2026<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background: white;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"><br>Media Contact:<br>Theatre in the Circle, Bill Corcoran, Artistic Director/Producer </span></b><b><u><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">theatreinthecircle@gmail.com</span></u></b><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 13pt; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"> • (440) 247-1359<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin: 6pt 0in 0in; line-height: 22px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-align: center; background: white;"><span lang="EN"><hr size="0" width="100%" align="center"></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 6pt 0in 0in; line-height: 16.866667px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background: white;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 17pt; line-height: 26.066666px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">Theatre in the Circle Announces the World Premiere of the musical <i>Frankly Ben Franklin </i>by Cleveland Musical Writer</span></b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.466665px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"></span><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.700001px; color: rgb(36, 41, 47);"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background: white;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">CLEVELAND, OH</span></b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"> — Theatre in the Circle, a Judson Resident Theatre, proudly celebrates the 250<sup>th</sup> anniversary of the United States of America on June 5, 6, 7, 2026, with the World Premiere of a new musical, <i>Frankly Ben Franklin, </i>by Cleveland writer Darryl Bojanowski (book, music and lyrics). <o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin: 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-align: center; background: white;"><span lang="EN"><hr size="0" width="100%" align="center"></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background: white;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: rgb(6, 6, 6);"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background: white;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: rgb(6, 6, 6);">INVITATION TO CELEBRATE WITH US</span></b><span lang="EN" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background: white;"><b><span lang="EN" style="color: rgb(6, 6, 6);"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; line-height: 16.866667px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.700001px;">Theatre in the Circle’s Artistic Director, Bill Corcoran, invites other organizations in the Cleveland community to collaborate. The production will be mobile and could easily be transferred to other venues at a special 2026 discounted licensing cost of just $500 for <u>ONE RUN</u> of the musical, plus negotiable stipends for performers. Contact theatreinthecircle@gmail.com for all inquiries or call 440-247-1359.</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p><h2 align="center" style="margin: 0in; line-height: normal; break-after: auto; font-size: 16pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; text-align: center; background: white;"><a name="_n5encgeqcakm"></a><span lang="EN"><hr size="0" width="100%" align="center"></span></h2><h2 style="margin: 0in; line-height: normal; break-after: auto; font-size: 16pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; background: white;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"> </span></b></h2><h2 style="margin: 0in; line-height: normal; break-after: auto; font-size: 16pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; background: white;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">PRODUCTION TEASER <o:p></o:p></span></b></h2><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background: white;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: rgb(6, 6, 6);"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background: white;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: rgb(6, 6, 6);">After signing the United States Constitution in 1787, the 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin was asked what form of government he and his fellow framers had created. He famously replied, “A republic—if you can keep it.” The musical <i>Frankly Ben Franklin</i> explores the personal journey that led to that historic moment.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 6pt 0in 0in; line-height: 16.866667px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background: white;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 20.700001px; color: rgb(6, 6, 6);">In 1788, Franklin is at work on his autobiography when his memories—and regrets—come vividly to life. He revisits the triumphs that made him a legend: <i>Poor Richard’s Almanack</i>, the kite-flying experiment, his service as postmaster, and his tireless work on behalf of the colonies. But he is also forced to confront the costs of a life devoted to public service, including his painful estrangement from his son William, who remained loyal to the Crown, and his long absences from his beloved wife, Debby, during years spent representing America in Europe. Guided by the wry wisdom of Poor Richard and the steady presence of Debby, Franklin embarks on a deeply human journey of reflection, reckoning, and self-discovery.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 1pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background: white;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: rgb(6, 6, 6);">By placing a founding father face-to-face with his own triumphs and regrets, <b>Frankly Ben Franklin</b> asks what it truly costs—and what it truly means—to help build a nation.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 1pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background: white;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: rgb(6, 6, 6);"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 1pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background: white;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: rgb(6, 6, 6);">Book, Music and Lyrics by Darryl Bojanowski<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 1pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background: white;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: rgb(6, 6, 6);">Orchestrations by Bill Corcoran<a name="_u844buto29rw"></a><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 1pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background: white;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: rgb(6, 6, 6);"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 1pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background: white;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">The nine-character musical will be presented in Judson Manor’s historic ballroom, accompanied by an eight-piece orchestra. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin: 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-align: center; background: white;"><span lang="EN"><hr size="0" width="100%" align="center"></span></div><h2 style="margin: 0in; line-height: normal; break-after: auto; font-size: 16pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; background: white;"><a name="_nwjotbwp39qm"></a><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"> </span></b></h2><h2 style="margin: 0in; line-height: normal; break-after: auto; font-size: 16pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; background: white;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">PERFORMANCE DETAILS<o:p></o:p></span></b></h2><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; line-height: 16.866667px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background: white;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">DATES: Friday, June 5 at 7:30 pm, Saturday, June 6 & Sunday, June 7 at 2:00 and 7:30 pm<br></span></b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">Performances are held in the <b>Judson Manor Ballroom</b>, 1890 E. 107th, Cleveland 44106. An adjacent lot provides free parking.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.25in 0in 12pt; line-height: normal; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background: white;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">TICKET INFORMATION:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background: white;"><span lang="EN" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">●</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 7pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"> </span><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">General Admission $25 <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0in 47pt; line-height: normal; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background: white;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"> </span></b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">Purchase your tickets at </span><span lang="EN"><a href="http://theatreinthecircle.org/"><b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">theatreinthecircle.org</span></b></a></span><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0in 47pt; line-height: normal; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background: white;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"> </span></b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">or by calling <b>440-247-1359<o:p></o:p></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.65in; line-height: normal; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background: white;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0in 47pt; line-height: normal; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background: white;"><span lang="EN" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">●</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 7pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"> </span><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">Judson Residents: $20.00 <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0in 47pt; line-height: normal; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background: white;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"> </span></b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">Purchase your tickets by signing up at JM, JP, & SFC <o:p></o:p></span></p><h2 align="center" style="margin: 0in; line-height: normal; break-after: auto; font-size: 16pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; text-align: center; background: white;"><a name="_3czkbkgfmo0r"></a><span lang="EN"><hr size="0" width="100%" align="center"></span></h2><h2 style="margin: 0in; line-height: normal; break-after: auto; font-size: 16pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; background: white;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 17pt; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"> </span></b></h2><h2 style="margin: 0in; line-height: normal; break-after: auto; font-size: 16pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; background: white;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 17pt; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">About Theatre in the Circle <o:p></o:p></span></b></h2><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; line-height: 16.866667px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN"> </span></p><h2 style="margin: 0in; line-height: normal; break-after: auto; font-size: 16pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; background: white;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: rgb(6, 6, 6);">For four years (2016-2020), Theatre in the Circle transformed Judson Manor’s ballroom into a professional, intimate stage where residents and the broader community came together through live performances. Then the pandemic hit, and founders Bill and the late Mark Corcoran pressed pause. Now, Theatre in the Circle has returned — reigniting the magic with <i>Always…Patsy Cline </i>and <i>Some Enchanted Evening – The Songs of Rodgers & Hammerstein</i>. </span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">Two productions will occur later this year in September and December. <b>Follow us on social media</b> to be among the first to know those shows and dates!</span><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 17pt; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"><o:p></o:p></span></b></h2><div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin: 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-align: center; background: white;"><span lang="EN"><hr size="0" width="100%" align="center"></span></div><h2 style="margin: 0in; line-height: normal; break-after: auto; font-size: 16pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; background: white;"><a name="_leclqj233058"></a><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 17pt; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"> </span></b></h2><h2 style="margin: 0in; line-height: normal; break-after: auto; font-size: 16pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; background: white;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 17pt; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">Press & Media<o:p></o:p></span></b></h2><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; line-height: 16.866667px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background: white;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">Press nights, photography access, and interviews with the cast and creative team are available upon request. Contact </span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">theatreinthecircle@gmail.com</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"> for all inquiries or call 440-247-1359.<o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin: 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-align: center; background: white;"><span lang="EN"><hr size="0" width="100%" align="center"></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background: white;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background: white;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">Theatre in the Circle<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background: white;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">Bill Corcoran, Artistic Director/Producer<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background: white;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">billcorcoran@me.com<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background: white;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">440-247-1359<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background: white;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">1890 East 107th Street, #609<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background: white;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">Cleveland, OH 44106<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; line-height: 16.866667px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background: white;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; line-height: 16.866667px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background: white;"><span lang="EN"><a href="http://www.theatreinthecircle.org/"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">www.theatreinthecircle.org</span></a></span><u><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><o:p></o:p></span></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; line-height: 16.866667px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background: white;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">theatreinthecircle@gmail.com<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; line-height: 16.866667px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; line-height: 16.866667px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;"> </span></p></body></html>