FREE WORLD PREMIERE SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19
Free · No Pass Required · Reservations Encouraged
Move Over, Hamilton — Meet Morton!
A Brand-New Comedy with Music & Live Finnish Dancing
A forgotten Founding Father. A brand-new comedy with music. Live Finnish folk music and dancing. One unforgettable — and completely free — night at FinnFest.
What do you get when you combine a pivotal vote for American independence, six actors, live music, Finnish summer theatre and a beautiful September evening at Minnehaha Park?
The world premiere of MORTON: The Forgotten Founder!
Commissioned and funded by Finlandia Foundation National in celebration of America’s 250th birthday, this fast, funny new play brings the remarkable story of John Morton — a signer of the Declaration of Independence of Finnish descent — to center stage.
FinnFest USA, Finlandia Foundation National and Frank Theatre have come together to unveil the production at FinnFest 2026.
A Forgotten Founder Gets His Moment
You know Washington, Jefferson, Franklin and Adams. But do you know John Morton?
Morton was a Pennsylvania statesman, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and a Founding Father of Finnish descent. When Pennsylvania’s delegation was divided over independence, Morton cast the decisive vote that helped move the colony — and the country — toward declaring independence from Great Britain.
It was a pretty big deal.
Yet Morton and his Finnish roots have largely disappeared from America’s founding story.
Until now.
As the United States celebrates its 250th birthday, Finlandia Foundation National commissioned and funded an original play to bring Morton’s remarkable story to life — and FinnFest is where it will be unveiled.
History — but Make It Fun
MORTON: The Forgotten Founder is not a dry history lecture.
It is a funny, energetic, 60-minute play filled with music, colorful Revolutionary-era characters and a few surprises along the way.
Written by award-winning Minneapolis playwright Laurie Flanigan Hegge and directed by Frank Theatre Artistic Director Wendy Knox, MORTON is staged in the lively Finnish tradition of kesäteatteri — outdoor summer theatre that brings people together for music, laughter and a great story.
Six actors portray a dynamic gallery of characters, accompanied by live musicians.
Cast & Creative Team
Cast: John Middleton, Maria Asp, Kate Beahen, Stephanie Bertumen, Kelsey Cramer, and Tinia Moulder
Musical Direction: Marya Hart
Before the performance, Finlandia Foundation National Lecturer of the Year Jay Smith will set the scene with a lively introduction to Morton, his historic vote and his Finnish-American story.
Then the Dancing Starts!
When the play ends, the evening keeps moving.
Twin Cities Finnish folk ensemble Lauluaika — “Song Time” — will fill the pavilion with live Finnish and Finnish-American folk music followed by social dancing inspired by the old Finn Halls.
No dance experience is required. Enthusiasm helps.
Come early, pack a picnic or grab something delicious from Sea Salt. Bring your family and friends, enjoy the park and settle in for an evening of theatre, music, dancing and a piece of American history most people have never heard.
A forgotten founder. A world-premiere play. Live Finnish music and dancing. One fantastic — and completely free — night at FinnFest.
Make It a FinnFest Weekend
MORTON: The Forgotten Founder is one of the signature events of FinnFest USA 2026, happening September 17–20 in Minneapolis.
Spend the weekend experiencing Finnish and Finnish-American music, food, art, design, history and ideas. Explore the Tori Marketplace, enjoy live performances, participate in workshops and discover Finnish culture in ways you may not expect.
Come for Morton. Stay for FinnFest.