Ocean State Theatre Hits 80 Days Out of the Park

The good folks at Ocean State Theatre are killing it with their production of Around the World in 80 Days.

“Mark Brown’s ingenious adaptation of the Jules Verne novel for the stage is a delight on stage in Warwick!”

Ingenious? I like this reviewer already.

My good friend Minita Gandhi is playing Aouda. This is her second time around with the show. A two-timer, as I like to call her. She was in the production at Indiana Repertory Theatre a few years ago and she claims she’s happy getting the chance to do it again. I don’t believe her but who am I to argue with someone who is stunningly beautiful.

“Minita Gandhi shines as Aouda. Gandhi also gives standout performances as Fogg’s former valet, the aged James Forster, and as an exposition-forwarding newspaper boy. Her recitation (as newsie) of Fogg’s proposed itinerary is masterfully delivered.”

Well done, kid.

Here are a few more choice quotes from different papers.

“This fetching production of “Around the World in 80 Days” is a winner in every respect.”

“An ingenious adaptation of Jules Verne’s “Around the World in 80 Days!”

“The story’s edge-of-your-seat race against the clock set alongside punchy, fast-paced humor makes for a truly entertaining and thoroughly absorbing theatrical experience.”

And I love this quote about Phileas Fogg.

“That’s when we find out he’s not as anal and unfeeling as he first appears.”

My mom would be proud that the word “anal” was used in a review of one of my shows.

The Flying Contraption

Lest anyone think they’re going to see dirigibles in my play, let me quote from the Providence Journal –

“Unlike the movie Fogg does not travel by balloon!”

I think that bears repeating –

“Unlike the movie, though, Fogg does not travel by balloon.”

But that didn’t stop Ocean State Theatre from putting an airplane on the poster.

I lovingly give theatres a hard time for putting a balloon on their posters (One theatre, which I shall not name, had not one but two balloons on the poster) but this is the first time I’ve seen an airplane. A plane would make going around the world less adventurous, unless it was on Spirit Airlines. But again, who am I to complain? The show is doing very well and I’m glad and thankful that Ocean State Theatre had put together a terrific show.

The show runs until Nov 22. Click here for tickets.