Cousin Ben Productions

With producer Wendy Federman and lyricist Justin Paul, after final Broadway performance of Dear Evan Hansen, September 18, 2022

I incorporated Cousin Ben Productions LLC on January 17, 2023 – Benjamin Franklin’s 217th birthday – in his hometown of Boston, Massachusetts. Why Cousin Ben, you ask? Well, Benjamin Franklin is my first cousin (yes, eight times removed!), and his name has become synonymous with inventiveness, which is at the heart of every successful production.

I started Cousin Ben as an investment vehicle for people who share my passion for theatre and film, and want to become part of the Broadway and entertainment community. I began investing in 2014, with a small investment in Mothers and Sons, which producer Ken Davenport introduced to me. That show, beautifully written by Terrence McNally and starring Tyne Daly, was nominated for Best Play. Although it did not recoup, I learned a lot, and made several new friends, many of whom I have worked with over the past decade. I have invested now in over 50 shows around the world.

I began co-producing in 2019, with The Play That Goes Wrong Off-Broadway. My co-producing partner was Wendy Federman, who has become a great friend. I am proud to say that show is still running, and it recently celebrated its 1,800th performance.

If interested in learning more about investing in a show, please contact me at richard@cousinben.com.