theater

In his Berkeley, Calif., home one morning a few years back, monologue artist Josh Kornbluth, 46, was shaving and noticed his uncanny resemblance to Ben Franklin. After a trip to the bank to exchange some cash for a $100 bill and consulting the teller, who confirmed the resemblance, Kornbluth set out to create the one-man show Ben Franklin: Unplugged, which he will perform during the 300th birthday celebration of Franklin in Philadelphia. "It's a humorous show," says Kornbluth, "but also dramatic. There are several different aspects, about me and my family … another part is about Ben and his family and his son William, who he disowned. I'm sort of a bumbling historical detective."

Unplugged took two years of work and heavy reading and research to complete, but was finished just in time to find a home at the Philadelphia Theatre Company for Franklin's tercentenary celebration. "Franklin's life is a great deal more interesting than my own," says Kornbluth, "and the hard thing for me is to find new ways to use my own voice."

Kornbluth has portrayed Franklin before, walking around New York in britches and arguing politics as Franklin with actors playing militia leaders in front of the United Nations. However, this time he will perform much of Unplugged as himself, delving deeper into the life of one of America's most famous founders. "It's mind-blowingly cool to perform at the Philadelphia Theatre Company on his 300th birthday," said Kornbluth. "It's a really fun piece. I'm interested to see if Philadelphians will dig it."

Ben Franklin: Unplugged, Tue.-Wed., Jan. 10-11, 7:30 p.m., through Jan. 21, $30-$40, Philadelphia Theatre Co., Plays & Players Theater, 1714 Delancey St., 215-985-0420, www.phillytheatreco.com.