ICT’s Next Play Has Been Traveling the World a Long Time

December 14th, 2012

Poster for Oscar-winning film adaptation of Around the World in 80 Days

It’s rare when something stands the test of time. Music, fashion, corporations – they all are subject to changing tastes and technology. Jules Verne’s classic novel – “Around the World in 80 Days” – is a wonderful example of a piece of literature which has withstood that test of time. The stage version of this story kicks off International City Theatre’s 2013 season on January 23.

It’s 1872 and Phileas Fogg has agreed to an outrageous wager that puts his fortune and life at risk. With his servant Passepartout, Fogg sets out to circle the globe in an unheard-of 80 days. Danger, romance and comic surprises abound as five actors portraying 39 characters traverse seven continents.

Verne’s novel was originally published in France in 1873. Its most famous reincarnations have been in film and television. A film adaptation in 1956 starring Cantinflas and David Niven won five Oscars including Best Picture. There was an animated cartoon that ran in 1972 and a mini-series starring Pierce Brosnan and Eric Idle in 1989. The most recent film version came in 2004 starring Jackie Chan and Steve Coogan.

There have been numerous other variations of this beloved story. There’s a novel by Philip Jose Farmer called “The Other Log of Phileas Fogg.” There also is a stage musical entitled “Around the World” which starred Orson Welles, with music and lyrics by Cole Porter.

See for yourself why this classic story has flourished for almost 150 years, and witness one of the greatest adventure stories of all time, live and onstage at ICT.

“Around the World in 80 Days” runs January 23 – February 17 at International City Theatre, with performances at the Long Beach Performing Arts Center. For tickets, call 562-436-4610 or visit www.InternationalCityTheatre.org.