Almost every scene in Conor Casey’s “Founding F***ers: The Story of Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold” is based on excerpts from Ethan Allen’s journal. The playwright, state legislator, and GunSense VT director anticipates criticism for the historical accuracy in his newest play with a chuckle. He describes intentionally leaning into the silliness of the entries, which made writing the play fun as he separated the man from the myth.
But the Montpelier local still hopes that Ethan Allen isn’t judging him too hard. After all, as a state representative for the Washington-4, Montpelier, district, Casey sees Allen — or at least the historic figure’s statue — every day working at the statehouse.
“Founding F***ers” offers a fresh and hilarious take on the American Revolution, where audiences can look forward to a fun and energetic exploration of history. With its world premiere set for May 2025, the big-budget historical comedy’s 18 shows will run as part of the Greater Boston Stage Company’s 25th season. The play combines humor with historical drama, offering a playful and entertaining perspective on the history of Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold.
“As we head into the 250th anniversary of the founding of our country, it seems like a great time to remind ourselves about our history and how we got here. And this play looks at our history with such a sense of fun and playfulness. It also does a wonderful job of showing that sometimes luck and coincidence play as big a part in history as well thought-out planning and execution,” said director Weylin Symes. “Democracy is messy. History is messy. Humans are messy. And the stories we are told about the past aren’t always true or as clear as we might think. But, despite all of that, there are things we can learn from and be inspired by in our history and there are principles worth fighting for.”
According to Symes, “Founding F***ers” is in the early stages of production for the premiere. With script edits in progress, Symes has lined up most of the design team. He says casting will begin soon. The director noted that world premiere plays are always a unique experience and added that the strong New England historical connection to the play makes Casey’s work special for the Greater Boston Stage Company and its audiences.
Casey, whose passion for storytelling stems from Ireland where he spent a portion of his childhood, spoke with The Bridge about the power of community, life in politics, and the inspiration behind his upcoming production that he jovially dubbed a buddy comedy.
Bridge: What inspired you to write “Founding F***ers?”
Conor Casey: As a Vermonter, I’ve always been surrounded by imagery of Ethan Allen, but I realized how little I truly knew about him. When I read his autobiographical “A Narrative of Colonel Ethan Allen’s Captivity” (1795), I was struck by how engaging and complex his story was. It became clear that separating his true story from the surrounding mythology was challenging. … After listening to the musical ‘Hamilton,’ which romanticizes the founders, I wanted to write a piece that not only acknowledges their contributions but also exposes their imperfections.
While researching Ethan Allen, what facts surprised you?
While Ethan Allen is often portrayed as a larger-than-life figure, his actual life was filled with contradictions and complexities. His autobiography revealed a man who was deeply flawed, often driven by personal vendettas and questionable decisions. Additionally, the intensity of his rivalry with Benedict Arnold, which was far more personal and bitter than I had anticipated, provided a rich source of drama and intrigue.
How has storytelling helped prepare you for work in public service?
As a [state] representative, storytelling is crucial for communicating the needs and experiences of my community. It’s about conveying the individual stories of constituents to highlight issues that go beyond what can be captured in data. For instance, the recent flooding has been a profound collective trauma for our community. By sharing these personal stories of hardship — such as homelessness, food insecurity, and illness — I help my colleagues and others understand the real, human impact of these issues. These narratives bring a level of empathy and urgency that numbers alone cannot convey.
How has your role as a legislator who has lived in Ireland and Vermont illuminated your own perspective on being human?
In writing, I infuse parts of myself into each character, exploring traits I aspire to and aspects of myself I wish to understand or change. Playwriting is both nourishing and therapeutic — it provides a space to delve into the complexities of human nature and societal issues while also serving as a means to reflect on and work through personal experiences and desires.
This play is based in the American Revolution and has been advertised as “the funniest history lesson ever.” It also asks “… how we wage revolution when our greatest foe dons the same uniform.” How does this idea resonate with you in 2024?
The idea of fighting a revolution against an adversary who wears the same uniform resonates strongly today, even though I didn’t consciously aim to make a commentary on current politics. While workshopping “Founding F***ers” with the Vermont Playwrights Circle, someone noted it seemed like a biting critique of today’s political climate, which I hadn’t originally intended. Nevertheless, it’s clear that politics has always had its share of conflict and ego — historically, even Congressman Matthew Lyon famously engaged in a brawl on the floor of Congress. The nature of political infighting and personal rivalries is timeless, but today’s social media and 24-hour news cycle certainly add fuel to the fire, amplifying these issues in ways that were less visible in the past.
What life experiences continue to influence you creatively?
Life today is absurd in its own right, and that provides endless inspiration. My work often explores this absurdism, reflecting the surreal and often contradictory nature of modern existence. Working in the Vermont Statehouse, I’m surrounded by a rich cast of characters and constant challenges that fuel my creativity.
The world premiere of “Founding F***ers” at the Greater Boston Stage Company runs from May 2 until May 18, 2025. For ticket information, visit greaterbostonstage.org.
