Franklinland by Lloyd Suh

The Arts Club Theatre Company production of Franklinland runs March 12–April 5, 2026, at the Lindsay Family Stage at Granville Island. Omari Newton directs the Canadian premiere of Franklinland, a sharp comedy by acclaimed playwright Lloyd Suh.  

Written in 2023, Franklinland offers a wildly imaginative and thoroughly modern take on the American Revolution—centering not on nation-building, but on the fraught and often absurd relationship between Benjamin Franklin (Brian Markinson) and his son, William (Luc Roderique). As Franklin plants the philosophical seeds of a new republic, King George III appoints William Royal Governor of New Jersey—setting the stage for a familial and political showdown that is as absurdly funny as it is moving.

With biting wit, contemporary language, and an agile three-person cast, Franklinland blends historical satire with emotional depth, exploring ambition, legacy, authority, and the struggle for personal identity. The result is a fast-paced comedy that invites audiences to reconsider the myths we inherit—and their faulty realities. Under the direction of Newton, Franklinland promises a dynamic theatrical experience that balances humour, politics, and family drama with a sensibility that resonates with today’s audiences.

SPECIAL PERFORMANCES

·       Talkback Tuesday Performance: Tue, Mar 31, 7 PM

·       VocalEye Performances: Tue, Mar 31, 7 PM; Fri, Apr 3, 7:30 PM

CAST

Jakobe Jenkins (Temple), Brian Markinson (Ben), Luc Roderique (William)

CREATIVE

Omari Newton (Director), Kimira Reddy (Set Designer), CS Fergusson-Vaux (Costume Designer), Jonathan Kim (Lighting Designer), Rick Colhoun (Sound Designer), Jonathan Hawley Purvis (Fight Director), Jakobe Jenkins (Apprentice Director), Jenny Kim (Stage Manager), Jessica Bournival (Assistant Stage Manager)