The other day I posted how I’m not crazy about the press releases calling the Off-Broadway production of my script Around the World in 80 Days a “fun frolic.” The show is a whirlwind comedy and the Off-Broadway production is a wild and exciting steampunk version. So imagine my surprise today when I read this in the BroadwayWorld article about Gary Littman and Matt Lutz joining the cast:

“Combining ‘The Amazing Race’ with The 39 Steps, Around the World in 80 Days is a fantastic update of the Jules Verne classic.”

Now I’m pretty sure I had nothing to do with the change but it’s a good change. I think it more accurately describes the show. It sounds exciting.

This isn’t the first time my show has been compared to The 39 Steps. In fact, it’s compared to that show all the time. And it’s not a bad show to be compared to. The 39 Steps is a huge hit, had a great run on Broadway, is still running on the West End, and won a ton of awards. But I do want to point out one thing that Steven Stanley pointed out in his review of the International City Theatre production:

“If this sounds more than a tad like Patrick Barlow’s international smash The 39 Steps, let it be noted that Brown’s play predates Barlow’s by four years.”

That’s right. Predates by four years. Around the World in 80 Days premiered in 2001, The 39 Steps in 2005. So stick that in your Tony, Olivier, and Drama Desk Awards.

Sigh.