Monthly Archives: February 2019

Cast of AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS (Jared Joplin, Patrick Earl Phillips, Jake Lockwood, Darlene Spencer and Lovlee Carroll). Photo by Immobulous.

The Human Race continues its 32^nd Season with Mark Brown’s Around the World in 80 Days, adapted from the novel by Jules Verne, Feb. 28 – March 17, 2019 at the Loft Theatre.

“80 DAYS is one of the funniest evenings of theatre I’ve ever worked on.” Says director, Joe Deer. “This cast is an absolutely delightful and incredibly versatile group of actors from across the country who are making the perfect antidote to the Winter Blues. The show is a hybrid adventure story/romance/buddy film/travelogue in the spirit of Monty Python, Gilbert and Sullivan and Indiana Jones – a farcical romp in every way. As a guy who spends his time directing a lot of comedies, I am certain this will be one of the best audiences Dayton will ever see.”

30 characters, 5 actors, and a whirlwind of costumes, hats and luggage!

Cast of AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS (Jared Joplin, Patrick Earl Phillips, Jake Lockwood, Darlene Spencer and Lovlee Carroll). Photo by Immobulous.

(Dayton, OH) —Jules Verne’s classic tale springs to life in this clever, fast-paced comedy for the whole family. Proper gentleman Phileas Fogg strikes a wager and sets off on a race that puts his fortune and life at risk. With his faithful servant at his side, he has just 80 days to circle the globe–an inconceivable feat in the year 1872! Fierce natives, furious typhoons, runaway trains, a damsel in distress and a dogged detective threaten to delay him at every step in this delightful, whirlwind odyssey that will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to unexpected end.

“Our biggest challenge,” said Human Race Artistic Director Kevin Moore, “is convincing people that the hot air balloon does not exist in the actual book.  While it made for exciting cinematography in Mike Todd’s 1956 film version, it is not part of the Jules Verne novel. However, audiences will experience typhoons, angry natives, a runaway train – and an elephant. And in the intimate Loft, it may feel like a ride at Disney!”

It’s an adventure for the entire family! “High-spirited, fast-moving and flat-out hilarious!” –Orlando Weekly

Around the World in 80 Days will be Joe Deer’s (Director) 12^th show he has directed at HRTC. Deer’s last show at the Loft was the comedic musical about six unemployed steelworkers turned strippers, The Full Monty.

Cast of AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS (Jared Joplin, Patrick Earl Phillips, Jake Lockwood, Darlene Spencer and Lovlee Carroll). Photo by Immobulous.

CAST AND DESIGN TEAM

The cast of five is made up of one Human Race veteran and four actors who are making their onstage debut at The Human Race Theatre.

Jared Joplin (Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati) is making his onstage Human Race Theatre debut as Mr. Phileas Fogg. Patrick Earl Phillips is excited to be making his HRTC debut as Fogg’s trusted valet, Passepartout. Lovlee Carroll is thrilled to be reprising the role of Actor 4 (Aouda and 3 characters) in her debut performance at HRTC. Jake Lockwood is no stranger to HRTC. This will be Lockwood’s 6^th production at HRTC and will be playing Actor 1, which consists of 17 characters. Resident Artist Darlene Spencer was last seen at HRTC in the staged reading of Sweat and will be making her onstage HRTC debut as Actor 2 (8 characters).

Mark Brown (Playwright) Mark Brown is a widely produced playwright throughout America and abroad. His plays and musicals include Around the World in 80 Days; China – The Whole Enchilada; Tom Jones; Tom Jones the Musical; The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge; The Gentleman Thief; Deep Into That Darkness Peering; The Little Prince. Originally from New Jersey, Mark is a proud member of the Dramatists Guild. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and daughter and dreams of living in a chateau in France.

Dick Block (Scenic Designer) is the genius behind the shows Victorian Steam Punk design and this will be his 25^th production at The Human Race Theatre. Block’s most recent show with HRTC was A Christmas Story. Cat Schmeal–Swope (Costume Designer) is hard at work designing wardrobe for her first Human Race production. Resident Artists John Rensel (Lighting Designer) and Jay Brunner (Sound Designer) round out the design team. Jacquelyn Duncan is the production stage manager.

Biographies on the cast and creative team can be found on The Human Race Theatre Company’s website under Around the World in 80 Days. For press tickets, please contact Chad Wyckoff at chad@humanracetheatre.org.

The preview performance of Around the World in 80 Days is Thursday, February 28. Opening night is Friday, March 1.

The Human Race Theatre Company’s production of Around the World in 80 Days is sponsored by Emerson Climate Technologies, Marion’s Piazza, Houser Asphalt & Concrete, Larry Glickler­–Glickler Funeral Home, Matthew J. Scarr, CPA LLC, and Patti Giering.

PERFORMANCE AND SPECIAL EVENT INFORMATION
Tickets for Around the World in 80 Days start at $14. Prices vary depending on the day of the week and seating location. Group discounts are available for parties of 10 or more. Student tickets are available at 50% off regular adult prices and a student I.D. must be presented when picking up at the Box Office. The Sunday, March 3 7:00 p.m. performance is “Sawbuck Sunday,” when any available seat can be purchased in person for just $10 at the Loft Theatre box office two hours prior to the show. Discounts are subject to availability and some restrictions apply.

All performances are at the Metropolitan Art Center’s Loft Theatre, located at 126 North Main Street in downtown Dayton, Ohio. Show times for Around the World in 80 Days are 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings. Performances on Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings begin at 7:00 p.m., and at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday matinees.

Tickets and performance information for Around the World in 80 Days are available at http://www.humanracetheatre.org or by calling Ticket Center Stage at (937) 228-3630, and at the Schuster Center box office.

# # #

2018-2019 marks the 32nd season for The Human Race Theatre Company, “Dayton’s Official Professional Theatre Company.” Founded in 1986, The Human Race moved into the Metropolitan Arts Center in 1991, taking up residence in its current home, the 212-seat Loft Theatre. In addition to the Eichelberger Loft Season, The Human Race produces new works development and special event programming. Under the direction of Executive Director Kappy Kilburn and Kevin Moore, Artistic Director, the company also maintains outreach programs, as well as artist residencies in area schools and a summer youth program. Human Race organizational support is provided by the Montgomery County Arts and Cultural District, Culture Works, the Shubert Foundation, the Erma R. Catterton Trust Fund, the Jesse & Caryl Philips Foundation, the Virginia W. Kettering Foundation and the Ohio Arts Council, which helped fund this organization with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. The 2018-2019 Sustainability Sponsors are the ELM Foundation, Anne F. Johnson, Steve and Lou Mason, and Morris Home. The 2018-2019 Loft season sponsor is the Jack W. and Sally D. Eichelberger Foundation of the Dayton Foundation.

CALENDAR EDITORS, PLEASE NOTE:

The Human Race Theatre Company presents
Around the World in 80 Days
by Mark Brown
directed by Joe Deer

February 28 – March 17, 2019

Performed at the Loft Theatre
Metropolitan Arts Center
126 North Main Street (between First and Second streets)
Dayton, Ohio 45402

Jules Verne’s classic tale springs to life in this clever, fast-paced comedy for the whole family. Proper gentleman Phileas Fogg strikes a wager and sets off on a race that puts his fortune and life at risk. With his faithful servant at his side, he has just 80 days to circle the globe–an inconceivable feat in the year 1872! Fierce natives, furious typhoons, runaway trains, a damsel in distress and a dogged detective threaten to delay him at every step in this delightful, whirlwind odyssey that will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to unexpected end. Join the adventure!

For tickets:

Ticket Center Stage box office phone: (937) 228-3630
Box office hours: Mondays – Fridays, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.; Saturdays, 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.; and two hours prior to each performance Online: http://www.humanracetheatre.org or http://www.ticketcenterstage.com
Ticket prices start at: $37 – $55 for adults, $34 – $48 for seniors and $19.50  – $27.00 for students. Prices vary depending on performance date.
Discounts: Select side-area seats available for $14 and $27 at all performances; “Sawbuck Sunday” March 3 at 7:00 p.m. – $10 seats available for walk up sales only
Student Discounts: All adult priced tickets are discounted at 50% for students. *A student I.D. must be presented at the box office.
Group sales: contact Betty Gould at (937) 461-8295 or Betty.Gould@victoriatheatre.com

Around the World in 80 Days performance dates:

• Wednesday, February 27 8:00 p.m.  Pay-What-You-CAN open rehearsal
• Thursday, February 28 8:00 p.m.  “Inside Track” pre-show discussion/Preview performance
• Friday, March 1 8:00 p.m.  Opening night with post-show lobby party
• Saturday, March 2 8:00 p.m.
• Sunday, March 3 2:00 p.m.
• Sunday, March 3 7:00 p.m.  “Sawbuck Sunday” – $10 tickets at the door
• Tuesday, March 5 7:00 p.m.  Lite Fare at the Loft pre-show lobby dining 
• Wednesday, March 6 7:00 p.m.
• Thursday, March 7 8:00 p.m.
• Friday, March 8 8:00 p.m.
• Saturday, March 9 8:00 p.m.  Audio Described/Sign Interpreted performance (reserve by February 28)
• Sunday, March 10 2:00 p.m.  “While We’re on the Subject” post-show talk-back
• Tuesday, March 12 7:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, March 13 7:00 p.m.
• Thursday, March 14 8:00 p.m.
• Friday, March 15 8:00 p.m.
• Saturday, March 16 8:00 p.m.
• Sunday, March 17 2:00 p.m.  Closing performance