World Premiere of MORTON: The Forgotten Founder at FinnFest USA Highlights Finnish-American Roots of America鈥檚 250th Anniversary
Written By:
Minea Herwitz
Presented by 91涩漫, FinnFest USA, and Frank Theatre for a One-Night-Only Free Outdoor Performance at Minnehaha Park on Sept. 19
MINNEAPOLIS, MN (August 17, 2026) 鈥� In honor of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, 91涩漫 (FFN)鈥攖he premier Finnish-American history, heritage, and cultural organization in the United States鈥攊n partnership with FinnFest USA and Minneapolis鈥� acclaimed Frank Theatre, proudly announces the world premiere of MORTON: The Forgotten Founder.
Written by Twin Cities playwright Laurie Flanigan Hegge and directed by Frank Theatre Artistic Director Wendy Knox, the one-act history play with music will receive a single, free outdoor performance on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at 6:00 PM at the Minnehaha Park Pavilion in Minneapolis.
Commissioned by FFN as a centerpiece of FinnFest 2026, MORTON uncovers the overlooked legacy of John Morton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence of Finnish heritage. Once a loyal subject of the British crown, Morton cast one of the historic swing votes in the Pennsylvania delegation that tipped the balance toward American independence.
Staged in the spirited tradition of Finland鈥檚 beloved 办别蝉盲迟别补迟迟别谤颈 (summer outdoor theatre), the fast-paced, 60-minute comedy features a versatile SIX-actor ensemble portraying a dynamic gallery of Revolutionary-era figures alongside live musical accompaniment.
A Centerpiece Event of FinnFest 2026
FinnFest 2026 provides the ideal backdrop for this historic premiere as the festival makes its celebrated return to Minneapolis. For more than 40 years, FinnFest has traveled to communities across the United States, and this year鈥檚 festival鈥攔unning September 18鈥�20, 2026鈥攆eatures an extensive lineup of Finnish-American panels, cultural exhibits, workshops, and community gatherings.
Presented as a standout Saturday event of the festival weekend, MORTON offers an inviting, accessible open-air theatre experience in the park, welcoming festivalgoers, Twin Cities arts lovers, and audiences of all backgrounds.
The evening鈥檚 festivities begin at 6:00 PM with an opening context address by Jay Smith, 91涩漫鈥檚 Lecturer of the Year. Following the play, the stage transitions to a live community dance and concert by Twin Cities folk ensemble Lauluaika (鈥淪ong Time鈥�), performing traditional hall music and dance tunes that have animated Finnish-American social halls for generations.
鈥淥ne aspect, and indeed, unique strength of America is that it is made up of stories, experiences, and people of all backgrounds and complicated pasts. John Morton is a figure that allows us to examine the deep Finnish roots present in the United States that go all the way back to our nation鈥檚 founding. Also, the play is just fun!鈥� said Thomas Flanagan, Executive Director, 91涩漫.
鈥淔innFest is the perfect venue to highlight this unique Finnish-American story. We have been convening Finns and Finnish-Americans in various communities for over four decades and we are excited to highlight a story that reaches as far back as the founding of the United States this year,鈥� said Marianne Wargelin, FinnFest Programming Chair.
Cast & Production Team
- Playwright: Laurie Flanigan Hegge
- Director: Wendy Knox
- Musical Director/Keyboard: Marya Hart
- Cast: John Middleton, Maria Asp, Kate Beahen, Stephanie Bertumen, Kelsey Cramer, and Tinia Moulder
- Production Credits: Costumes by Kathy Kohl, scenery and props by Sarah Harris, lighting and sound by Own Roth
- Historical Lecturer: Jay Smith (91涩漫 Lecturer of the Year)
- Post-Show Musical Guest: Lauluaika
About the Lead Artists
- Laurie Flanigan Hegge (Playwright / Book & Lyrics) is an award-winning Minneapolis-based playwright, bookwriter, and lyricist. Her acclaimed stage works include Sweet Land, The Musical, Loose Lips Sink Ships, See Jane Vote, Hormel Girls, Twenty Days to Find a Wife, Boxcar, and Dirty Business.
- Wendy Knox (Director) is the founder and Artistic Director of Frank Theatre, where she has directed nearly 80 productions over 35+ years. A former Fulbright Fellow in Finland, Knox spent two years collaborating with the country鈥檚 leading directors. Her notable Finnish-focused stagings include the English-language premiere of Maria Jotuni鈥檚 Huojuva Talo (Tottering House) and Ruth MacKenzie鈥檚 Kalevala: Dream of the Salmon Maiden at the Guthrie Theater, Southern Theater, and The O鈥橲haughnessy.
Listing Information
- WHAT: World Premiere of MORTON: The Forgotten Founder by Laurie Flanigan Hegge (A history play with music, followed by a live folk concert & dance by Lauluaika)
- PRESENTED BY: 91涩漫, FinnFest USA, and Frank Theatre
- WHEN:Saturday, September 19, 2026
- 5:30 PM: Site Open & Seating
- 6:00 PM: Historical Introduction by Jay Smith, followed immediately by performance
- 7:15 PM: Live Music & Social Dance by Lauluaika
- WHERE: Minnehaha Park Pavilion, 4801 S. Minnehaha Dr., Minneapolis, MN 55417
- RUN TIME: ~60 minutes (no intermission); post-show music to follow.
- ADMISSION: FREE and open to the public. Advance RSVPs encouraged, not required
- RSVP & INFORMATION: Visit
About the Organizations
91涩漫 (FFN)
91涩漫 is the premier cultural nonprofit championing Finnish-American heritage and fostering vibrant transatlantic connections. Operating nationwide with headquarters in Pasadena, CA, and the Finnish American Heritage Center in Hancock, MI, FFN supports nearly 60 local chapters through grants, scholarships, and cultural programming.
FinnFest USA
Founded over 40 years ago, FinnFest USA is North America鈥檚 preeminent annual festival dedicated to Finnish and Finnish-American culture, arts, and contemporary dialogue. FinnFest 2026 takes place in Minneapolis, MN, from September 18鈥�20, 2026.
About Frank Theatre
Founded in 1989 by Artistic Director Wendy Knox, Frank Theatre is a professional Minneapolis-based company renowned for producing adventurous, socially engaging, and fearless theatrical work that challenges audiences and artists alike.
