Village Theatre Opens Around the World in 80 Days

Hey Seattle, pack your bags and head over to the Village Theatre in Issaquah, WA. The theatre is producing my play Around the World in 80 Days. The show opens tonight at the Francis Gaudette Theatre and runs through March 1. The show then moves to the Everett Performing Arts Center in Everett, WA.

The Cast

Here is the foolhardy group of actors taking on the play.

Jared Michael Brown as Phileas Fogg.

Chris Ensweiler as Passepartout.

Aneesh Sheth as Aouda.

Jason Collins as Sir Francis.

Eric Polani Jensen as Detective Fix.

At the helm is director David Ira Goldstein.

(I think this is David. If not here’s another picture)

 This is Michelle Yeoh. She’s not David Ira Goldstein but she’s pleasant on the eyes.

The Show

Here’s the press release, courtesy of the Village Theatre.

Based on Jules Verne’s highly acclaimed novel, Phileas Fogg and his newly employed valet Jean Passepartout accept a wager to circumnavigate the world in eighty days. But with bandits, a damsel in distress, and transportation problems around every corner, will they make the deadline? In the role of Phileas Fogg himself is Jared Michael Brown, most recently seen as Detective Trotter in The Mousetrap. Jared is joined by some of the Pacific Northwest’s greatest talents, including Eric Polani Jensen (Javert in Les Misérables, Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof), Christopher Ensweiler (Felix in The Odd Couple), Jason Collins (Algernon in The Importance of Being Earnest), and Aneesh Sheth making her Village Theatre debut. These five will introduce you to a hilarious assortment of characters, not limited to Captain Speedy, Oysterpuff, and an Elephant Seller. At the helm of this journey, and taking audiences around the world in eighty days, is director David Ira Goldstein. David has skillfully directed many Village Theatre shows, most recently Xanadu and Fiddler on the Roof.

Not a Musical

Don’t be lured into thinking this is a musical, despite what the Bellevue Reporter printed. “Based on the Jules Verne novel “Around the World in Eighty Days,” this musical adaptation (there have been several similar adaptions of the public domain work) was written by playwright Mark Brown, best known for the stage version of comedy ‘The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge.'”

Eh, mistakes happen.

The Info

Here’s all the info you’ll need.

 Issaquah – January 22 – March 1, 2015

Francis Gaudette Theatre
(425) 392-2202
303 Front Street North
Issaquah, WA 98027

Preview Performance: January 21, 2015
ASL Interpreted Performance: February 7, 2015
Post-Show Discussion: February 24, 2015

Everett – March 6-29, 2015

Everett Performing Arts Center
(425) 257-8600
2710 Wetmore Avenue
Everett, WA 98201

Post-Show Discussion: March 21, 2015 • 2:00 PM

Top Photo courtesy Mark & Tracy Photography