France

Chris had the honor of presenting a wide variety of programs in French as Ben during a three-week tour in France at the end of 2007. In Paris, it was a triumphal return for Ben; despite its being his first visit to the city in 222 years, Ben was often recognized and greeted as he roamed the once-familiar streets!

In Paris, Chris first spoke to students of the prestigious French graduate school the Sciences Po, regaling their future diplomats and government officials with stories of Ben’s own diplomatic adventures in Paris.

Also in Paris, Chris performed as Ben for French and American diplomats, government officials, and city leaders at the 11th century Château de Vincennes in honor of the Marquis de La Fayette’s 250th birthday. Inasmuch as Ben was instrumental in helping La Fayette get to America and fight for the Revolutionary cause with George Washington, it was appropriate for him to be on hand for this celebration. There, at a gala diplomatic dinner covered by CNN and attended by members of the French State Department as well as the American ambassador to France, Ben, flanked by the President of France’s Republican Guards, greeted the more than 200 guests. During the banquet, he spoke to the distinguished audience, rekindling for the new President of the Republic the fires of friendship and commerce that Ben had helped begin during the course of his diplomacy in Paris so many years ago.

By arrangement of the American Embassy in Paris, Chris also performed as Ben at the Lycée Benjamin Franklin in the city of Orléans, bringing their school’s namesake to life in a unique and unforgettable performance. Our Embassy later called it "a magnificent experience for all fortunate enough to witness it."

Finally, Chris presented two programs as Ben for the general public near Grenoble, in the French Alps. There, Ben was fêted after each performance with a reception where audience members questioned him further over wine, wonderful local cheeses, and a "soupe à l’oignon."

From the first visit at the Sciences Po, to the glittering dinner at the Château de Vincennes, to the performances in the Alps and on to the wonderful reception at the lycée Benjamin Franklin in Orléans, Ben’s return to France was an international tour de force!

See a 3-minute CNN account
of Ben's appearance in Paris