# Event Details - **Event Name**: The First Embassy - **Event Start and End Date**: Fri, 22 May, 2026 at 07:30 pm – Sun, 24 May, 2026 at 03:00 pm (-04:00) - **Event Description**: Join us in the NOMA Black Box May 22 - May 24 for The First Embassy! Performed by award-winning actor/playwright Ronald Keaton, this one-man theatrical event brings the founding of America to life through powerful storytelling and emotional depth. The First Embassy tells the story of Benjamin Franklin’s mission to France during the American Revolution, and the personal journey that unfolded alongside it. ✨ In celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States of America Event Description: In late 1776, Benjamin Franklin is asked by Congress to go to France to speak with Louis XVI about becoming partners in the Revolutionary fight against Britain. As he prepares yet again to serve his country, Franklin asks his 16-year-old grandson Temple to come along. It's a thoughtful, challenging tale about the most famous American in the world, his patriotic dealings in Paris as America's first ambassador, and the rise and fall of a grandson's love...all told through one man's eyes. Long Bio: Ronald Keaton is an award-winning actor/playwright, best known for creating and performing original one-person theatrical events that bring great figures and forgotten stories vividly to life. His solo productions - including Churchill, his original Appalachian drama Echo Holler, and the Irish-themed Teddy’s Last Ride - have earned strong audience response across the country for their emotional depth, historical grounding, and intimate storytelling style, as they reflect the vast experience of an actor in the business for over a half-century. Now arrives his newest work, The First Embassy, as America celebrates the 250th anniversary of its independence. It explores the diplomatic mission of Benjamin Franklin, as he helps to secure the nation’s survival. It also shows us a softer side of the great man through his 16-year-old grandson, Temple. Through humor, humanity, and meticulous research, Keaton portrays the great man in France at the turning point of the Revolution - revealing the man behind the legend and the unique negotiations that changed history. Specializing in solo narrative theatre, Keaton founded, along with Artistic Director Kurt Johns, SoloChicago Theatre Company. Its performances combine scholarship, character transformation, and direct audience connection - creating theatrical experiences that are both educational and deeply engaging. The First Embassy highlights Keaton's signature blend of scholarship, humor, and human insight well-suited to regional theatres and cultural venues - all while focusing on ideas of legacy, redemption, and the enduring spark of the human spirit. Tickets on-sale this Friday, February 20th at 11 AM! - **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/ocala/the-first-embassy/200029897885959 - **Event Categories**: art, theatre, performances, entertainment, storytelling - **Interested Audience**: - total_interested_count: 19 ## Ticket Details ## Event venue details - **city**: Ocala - **state**: FL - **country**: United States - **location**: 500 NE 9th St, Ocala, FL, United States, Florida 34470 - **lat**: 29.19554 - **long**: -82.13173 - **full address**: 500 NE 9th St, Ocala, FL, United States, Florida 34470 ## Event gallery - **Alt text**: The First Embassy - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events1/banners/496d85fb7a7365bb22d8a8ceead727f410b769aa907f10b0598520ab06548014-rimg-w1200-h675-dc1f1202-gmir?v=1775397179 ## FAQs - **Q**: When and where is The First Embassy being held? - **A:** The First Embassy takes place on Fri, 22 May, 2026 at 07:30 pm to Sun, 24 May, 2026 at 03:00 pm at 500 NE 9th St, Ocala, FL, United States, Florida 34470. - **Q**: Who is organizing The First Embassy? - **A:** The First Embassy is organized by Reilly Arts Center. - **Q**: What has been the experience of attendees at Reilly Arts Center's events? - **A:** Attendees have given Reilly Arts Center a rating of 4.6/5 based on reviews from early attendees on AllEvents. Reilly Arts Center has 140+ followers on AllEvents, reflecting a trusted and active community of event-goers who follow their events. Reilly Arts Center has a verified profile on AllEvents where you can read reviews and explore their upcoming events. ## Structured Data (JSON-LD) ```json [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Event", "name": "The First Embassy", "image": "https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events1/banners/496d85fb7a7365bb22d8a8ceead727f410b769aa907f10b0598520ab06548014-rimg-w1200-h675-dc1f1202-gmir?v=1775397179", "startDate": "2026-05-22T19:30:00-04:00", "endDate": "2026-05-24T15:00:00-04:00", "url": "https://allevents.in/ocala/the-first-embassy/200029897885959", "eventStatus": "https://schema.org/EventScheduled", "location": { "@type": "Place", "name": "500 NE 9th St, Ocala, FL, United States, Florida 34470", "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "streetAddress": "500 NE 9th St, Ocala, FL 34470-5237, United States", "addressLocality": "Ocala", "addressRegion": "FL", "addressCountry": "US" }, "geo": { "@type": "GeoCoordinates", "latitude": "29.19554", "longitude": "-82.13173" } }, "eventAttendanceMode": "https://schema.org/OfflineEventAttendanceMode", "description": "Join us in the NOMA Black Box May 22 - May 24 for The First Embassy! \n\nPerformed by award-winning actor/playwright Ronald Keaton, this one-man theatrical event brings the founding of America to life through powerful storytelling and emotional depth.\n\nThe First Embassy tells the story of Benjamin Fra", "organizer": [ { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Reilly Arts Center", "url": "https://allevents.in/org/reilly-arts-center/6430070", "description": "The Reilly Arts Center is Ocala's top spot for concerts and entertainment. Full bar, the friendliest staff and awesome talent." } ] } ] ```