Cousin Ben Productions

Richard Batchelder is a three-time Tony Award and two-time Olivier Award winning producer. He has co-produced over 50 productions on Broadway, Off-Broadway, in the West End, and on UK tour. He began co-producing in 2019, with The Play That Goes Wrong Off-Broadway. That production is still running and recently celebrated its 2,000th performance. He has worked with nearly all the major producers on both sides of the Atlantic.

Richard incorporated Cousin Ben Productions LLC on January 17, 2023 – Benjamin Franklin’s 217th birthday – in his hometown of Boston, Massachusetts. Franklin is Richard’s first cousin (yes, eight times removed!), and his name has become synonymous with inventiveness, which is at the heart of every successful production. Cousin Ben is the sole shareholder of Cousin Ben UK Productions Limited. Cousin Ben is an investment vehicle for Richard and those who share his passion for theatre and film and want to become part of the entertainment community.

Richard began investing in 2014, with a small investment in Mothers and Sons. That show, beautifully written by Terrence McNally and starring Tyne Daly, was nominated for Best Play. Although it did not recoup, Richard learned a lot, and made several new friends, many of whom he has worked with over the past decade. Richard continues to invest in every show he co-produces and is proud to have been involved in over 100 productions around the world.

His three Tony Awards are for Merrily We Roll Along (Best Revival of a Musical, 2024), Parade (Best Revival of a Musical, 2023), and The Inheritance (Best Play, 2020). In addition to these three shows, he also received Tony nominations for Dead Outlaw, Oh, Mary!, The Who’s Tommy, Fat Ham, New York, New York, and The Piano Lesson. He has also won four Drama Desk Awards (The Piano Lesson, Parade, Peter Pan Goes Wrong, and The Inheritance); three Drama League Awards (Oh, Mary!, Merrily We Roll Along and The Inheritance); two Outer Critics Circle Awards (Parade and Fat Ham); and two GLAAD Media Awards (Oh, Mary! and The Inheritance). Richard is also a co-producer of the Museum of Broadway, and an Associate Member of the Broadway League.

His two Olivier Awards are for Oedipus (Best Revival, 2025) and Dear England (Best New Play, 2024). In addition to these two shows, he also received Olivier nominations for The Motive and the Cue and A Strange Loop.

Richard is also involved in film, including serving as Executive Producer of the upcoming feature film Frank and Percy starring Sir Ian McKellen and Roger Allam.