FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: April 14, 2008
Contact: Emma F. Caro
Public Relations Director
513-345-2242, ext. 2071
CINCINNATI PLAYHOUSE IN THE PARK CLOSES SEASON WITH AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS
24,000 MILES … 39 CHARACTERS …
FIVE ACTORS … TWO FUN-PACKED MAGICAL HOURS…
(CINCINNATI) – The Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park will close its 2007-2008 theatre season with AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS. This high-spirited, fast-moving and highly imaginative show, by Mark Brown from the novel by Jules Verne, begins previews May 10 and continues through June 8.
In England in 1872, Phileas Fogg is the most exact of men. Well-traveled, very wealthy and with no friends or relatives of which to speak, he keeps his days on the most precise of schedules and spends his evenings at the local Reform Club. After a newspaper asserts that traveling around the world in 80 days is a legitimate possibility, Fogg and his fellow Londoners debate whether becoming a globetrotter is indeed that easy.
Convinced he could accomplish the task, Fogg enters into a wager with the men, betting 20,000 pounds that he could complete the journey in the allotted time. The race is on, and Fogg begins a journey that will include twists, turns and travel unlike you’ve ever seen — from train to boat, sled to elephant.
A snooping detective who believes Fogg might be the thief, a possible human sacrifice, a runaway train and even the will of Mother Nature all conspire against Fogg’s adventure of a lifetime, threatening not only his journey but also the heart of the woman he loves.
Playwright Mark Brown received his acting training at the American Conservatory Theatre and has appeared in theatres across the country including the South Coast Repertory, the McCarter Theatre and the Utah Shakespearean Festival. Film credits include Out of Sight, Holy Man and Amy's O. TV credits include the Emmy Award-winning series From the Earth to the Moon, House, Ally McBeal, Providence and Diagnosis Murder.
Brown’s adaptation of AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS first premiered at the Utah Shakespearean festival in 2001. However, this wasn’t the first staged version of this novel. Jules Verne himself created an elaborate stage depiction at the Port Saint-Martin Theatre, Paris, in 1874. With its huge spectacle, including live elephants, the show played for a remarkable 54 years, finally closing in 1928.
The cast for AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS includes Daniel Freedom Stewart (SHERLOCK HOLMES: THE FINAL ADVENTURE, TWELTH NIGHT) as Phileas Fogg, Evan Zes as Passepartout/John Sullivan, John Keating as Detective Fix/numerous characters, Lauren Elise McCord as Aouda/numerous characters, Jay Russell (THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING ERNEST, THE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP, A CHRISTMAS CAROL) as a variety of characters, Margaret-Ellen Jeffreys as Musician /Foley Artist and Mark Parenti as Musician /Foley Artist. The director for the show is Associate Artistic Director Michael Evan Haney. Other members of the production team are Joseph P. Tilford (set designer), David Kay Mickelsen (costume designer), Betsy Adams (lighting designer), David Andrew Levy (sound designer), Rich Cole (casting director) and Mark Parenti (original music). The stage manager is Andrea L. Shell.
Tickets to AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS are on sale now. Prices range from $44.50 - $54.50, depending on day and seat location. All tickets are $38.50 for the preview performances at 8 p.m. on Saturday, May 10; 7 p.m. Sunday, May 11; 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 13; and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 14. The official opening night is Thursday, May 15, at 8 p.m.
Unreserved tickets are half-price every day when purchased at the Playhouse between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. on the day of the show (for performances Tuesday through Saturday) and from 12 to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Some restrictions apply. The Playhouse is fully accessible. Audio enhancement receivers, large print programs and complete wheelchair access are available.
For tickets to AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS or for more information, call the Playhouse box office at 513/421-3888 or toll-free in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana at 800/582-3208. Call 513/345-2248 for TDD accessibility. For single tickets purchased by telephone through the Playhouse box office there is a $3 convenience fee per call. Tickets also can be purchased on the Playhouse web site at www.cincyplay.com.
Artists fly to and from Cincinnati on Delta Connection Comair, the Playhouse’s official airline.
The Playhouse is supported, in part, by the generosity of the tens of thousands of individuals and businesses that give to the Fine Arts Fund.
The Ohio Arts Council helps fund the Playhouse with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans.
The Playhouse also receives funding from the City of Cincinnati and The Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr./U.S. Bank Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts.
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Special Performances
Meet the Artists
These free programs allow
audiences to interact with cast members and others associated with the
production following the show.
Sunday, May 18 at 2:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 25 at 2:00 p.m.
Wednesday, May 28 at 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, June 5 at 8:00 p.m.
Dining Options
Karlo's Bistro at the Playhouse offers full-service dining prior to
most evening performances. Dinners include salad, entrée and dessert.
Reservations are required by noon on the day of the show. The price is
$25, which does not include gratuity. Karlo's Casual Fare offers busy
theatre patrons an alternative light, quick bite prior to the show. Options
include salads, sandwiches, soups, pasta and desserts. No reservations
are required.
Sponsors
Production Sponsor:
Duke Energy
Honorary Producers:
Laura and Don Harrison and Judith and David Morgan
Design Sponsor:
Johnson Investment Counsel
Artist Sponsor:
Vorys Legal Counsel
The 2007-2008 Shelterhouse Theatre Series is presented by
Heidelberg Distributing Co.
The Shelterhouse Season Design Sponsor is
The Sheakley Group of Companies
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