(Ken Early* as Phileas Fogg- Michael G. Bath* as Passepartout)
I recently attended the opening night performance of Around the World in 80 Days. I was not familiar with the play but as someone who loves adventure, I was intrigued by the title and knew this would be a fun show to watch. I was not disappointed.
(Company of Around the World in 80 Days.)
It is 1899 and the mysterious, brilliant, mathematically precise Englishman Phileas Fogg has wagered his considerable fortune that the world can now be circumnavigated in a mere 80 days. Will bandits, buffalo, winter storms and even the meddlesome Scotland Yard prevent him and his wily valet, Passepartout, from completing this daunting task? Jumping between trains and steamships, even employing an elephant, this magical family-friendly adventure leads Fogg to discover a wider world as well as his own heart in this swashbuckling musical retelling of Jules Verne’s classic tale.
(Sara Mackie*, Deb G. Girdler,* and Buz Davis* as Company)
The cast did a fantastic job of giving the audience the feeling of traveling around the world. The creative stage design allowed the audience to use their imagination for elements of the play. There were also several funny surprise cameos but I’m not going to give those secrets away.
(Sola Thompson, Andrew Maloney, Jeremy Carlisle Parker and the Company.)
My two favorite characters from the play were Michael G. Bath* as Passepartout and Annie Fitzpatrick* as Inspector Fix. Passepartout was a comical Frenchman, who added so much life to the show. It was also enjoyable to watch Inspector Fix add more mayhem for Phileas Fogg and his travel companions.
It was fun to watch Ken Early as Phileas Fogg, who’s adventures kept on escalating as the trip continued.
Deb G. Girdler* as Company -Ken Early* as Phileas Fogg
All of the actors demonstrated so much talent. Overall, this show was really enjoyable to watch and an interesting way to step back in time.
(Michael G. Bath* as Passepartout – Ken Early* as Phileas Fogg)
(Michael G. Bath* as Passepartout Ken Early* as Phileas Fogg)
Don’t Miss Out!
You can still catch a performance of Around the World in 80 Days.
(Torie Wiggins* as Aouda)
Around the World in 80 Days Runs from December 4, 2013-January 4, 2014
(Annie Fitzpatrick* as Inspector Fix – Michael G. Bath* as Passepartout – Ken Early* as Phileas Fogg- )
Performance Times:
Select Tues-Fri at 7:00 pm; Sat at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm; Sun at 2:00 pm and 6:00 pm
Tickets:
Adults, $39-$43; Students, $25; Children (12 and under), $16
Half-Price Rush Tickets:
All remaining tickets for the current day’s performance(s) are available two hours prior to each show time for half-price (discount does not apply to senior or children’s tickets) when purchasing by phone or in person. $15 Student Rush Tickets: Students may purchase up to two $15 student rush tickets two hours prior to show time with valid student I.D. Available in person only.
AAA, ArtsWave Fun Card, Cincinnati Public Radio Perks Card, Military/Educator and ETA discounts available. Group discounts available for 10+. Complete details available at www.ensemblecincinnati.org.
Disclosure: I was given complimentary tickets for review purposes. All opinions are my own.
* All images courtesy of the Ensemble Theatre
The Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati is located at 1127 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202.