(NETCONG, NJ) -- The Growing Stage, the children's theatre of New Jersey, is presenting Mesmerized: A Ben Franklin Science and History Mystery weekends from March 6-22, 2026. This was adapted for the stage by Suzanne Maynard Miller and is based on the book Mesmerized: How Ben Franklin Solved a Mystery that Baffled All of France by Mara Rockliff. Photographer John Posada was on hand to take photos.
This fast-paced comedy introduces us to Ben Franklin and his want-to-be-inventor niece, Sarah, as they travel to France where they use the Scientific Method to test a mystical man’s magical cure-all in Mesmerized: A Ben Franklin Science and History Mystery.
Audiences will laugh as they engage their minds to solve this mystery, fueled with stories about Ben Franklin’s many scientific discoveries and electrifying inventions.
The production is directed by Stephen Fredericks, TGS’s Founder/Executive Director. The cast includes Isaac J. Conner (TGS debut) as Ben Franklin; Davis Cameron Lemley (Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer, Diary Of A Wimpy Kid) as Franz Mesmer; Lily Snow (TGS Debut) as Sarah; Tyler Brian (Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, Arthur & Friends) as King Louis/Ensemble; Andy Danford (Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer, Arthur & Friends) as Charles/Ensemble and Danielle MacMath (Charlie & The Chocolate Factory) as Marie Antoinette/Ensemble.
Performances take place Friday, March 6 at 7:30pm; Saturday, March 7 at 4:00pm; Sunday, March 8 at 2:00pm; Saturday, March 14 at 4:00pm; Sunday, March 15 at 2:00pm; Saturday, March 21 at 4:00pm; and Sunday, March 22 at 2:00pm. Tickets are available for purchase online or by calling the Box Office at (973) 347-4946. Running Time: Approximately 70 minutes (Includes Intermission.) The theater is located at 7 Ledgewood Avenue in Netcong, New Jersey.
Mesmerized: A Ben Franklin Science & History Mystery was originally commissioned and produced by Chicago Children's Theatre. This production is produced by special arrangement with Plays for New Audiences.
The Growing Stage – The Children’s Theatre of New Jersey is a nonprofit professional performing arts center dedicated to theatre for young audiences. Through its programming, The Growing Stage provides opportunities for all to learn and grow through participation in the arts.
Here are more photos from the production.
John Posada is a New Jersey based photographer specializing in photographing live theatre and music performances. For more than 15 years, John has photographed live events where he mastered the techniques of timing and capturing fast moving action under challenging lighting conditions. Currently, John has spent the last 3 years concentrating on photographing almost 200 theatre productions for over 70 different theatres. Click here for John's website.
