Twists, Turns and Travel
By Emma F. Caro and Mae E. Klingler

When Phileas Fogg wagers he is capable of spanning the globe in less than three months, he not only kicks off the next production of our Shelterhouse Theatre, but also the original amazing race.

Based on the classic tale by Jules Verne, this spectacularly creative and fast-moving retelling of Around the World in 80 Days runs at the Playhouse from May 10 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, rangoon to
elephant.

A snooping detective, 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.

According to Brown in a recent interview, his first attempt at approaching the daunting task of trimming the tale left him with four hours of material, which according to the writer, "almost forced me to put in a dinner break." Brown dove back in and resurfaced with two hours of adventure, suspense and wit.

Playhouse Associate Artistic Director Michael Evan Haney will direct. Other members of the creative team include set designer Joseph P. Tilford, costume designer David Kay Mickelsen, lighting designer Betsy Adams and sound designer David Andrew Levy.

In this hilariously entertaining and highly imaginative production, five actors portray 39 characters and cover 24,000 miles in just over two hours … and all before your very eyes. Pack your bags and step fearlessly into adventure.