ALL ABOARD! Around the World in 80 Days Makes at Stop at BFT

Birmingham Festival Theatre Brings Adaptation of Jules Verne Classic Tale

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – February 22, 2011 – Known for his many exciting adventure tales including 20 Thousand Leagues Under the Sea and A Journey to the Interior of the Earth, Jules Verne is regarded by many as the father of science fiction. His tales of fantasy entertain audiences both young and old. That’s why Mark Brown’s adaptation of the classic Around the World in 80 Days is sure to delight Birmingham audiences of all ages. The show begins Thursday March 3, 2011.


Everyone is familiar with this timeless classic story. Phileas Fogg (played by Shawn Reese) enters into a wager with his colleagues in London that he cannot travel around the world, by boat, train, or any means necessary, in a timeframe of 80 days. He is joined by his loyal servant Passepartout (played by Chuck Evans) and a cast of characters they meet along the way.

“This is a tongue-in-cheek adaptation of the Jules Verne classic that captures the flavor of Fogg’s madcap dash around the globe,” says Janelle Cochrane, who is directing the play at BFT. “With five actors playing 39 characters, it’s a bit of Monty Python and The 39 Steps, as we follow Fogg and Passepartout on their adventures by rail, steamer, elephant and shoe leather across India, Asia and America.”

Local actors Holly Croney Dikeman, Chuck Evans, M. Bates Redwine, Shawn Reese and Kevin Van Hyning provide the audience with a passport to a world gone by, with the possibility of adventure or romance around every corner.

Around the World in 80 Days runs each Thursday, Friday and Saturday for three weeks at 8:00 p.m. beginning on March 3, with a matinee on Sunday, March 13, at 2:30 p.m. The show closes on March 19, 2011. Tickets are $20, $15 for students. For reservations, call the theatre at (205) 933-2383.

About Birmingham Festival Theatre
BFT is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. For almost 40 years, BFT has been bringing local audiences theatrical experiences that touch the heart and stir the mind. Our all-volunteer Board of Directors works to involve the community’s many talented directors, actors, designers and techies to produce the best in contemporary and classic theatre. For more information, go to www.bftonline.org.

Pictured in photo: (Left to right) Shawn Reese, Holly Croney Dikeman, Chuck Evans, M. Bates Redwine, Kevin Van Hyning. More photos available at www.flickr.com/bftonline.

Around the World in 80 Days, by Mark Brown

Birmingham Festival Theatre's production of this classic Jules Verne adventure tale runs March 3-19, 2011. Call (205) 933-2383for reservations.

Mark Brown is an award-winning writer and actor. His plays include Around the World in 80 Days; The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge (produced at BFT in 2005); China, The Whole Enchilada; Poe: Deep Into That Darkness Peering (co-written with Mark Rector); and The Little Prince (co-written with Paul Kiernen). As an actor, he has appeared on stage, screen and TV and worked with such people as Tom Hanks, George Clooney, Dick Van Dyke, Jeff Goldblum and the Rally Monkey. Brown lives in New York City with his wife, daughter, and dog and dreams of living in a chateau in France.

Dramatic Publishing describes Around the World in 80 Days: Stampeding elephants! Raging typhoons! Runaway trains! Unabashedly slapstick! Hold onto your seats for the original amazing race! Join fearless adventurer Phileas Fogg and his faithful manservant as they race to beat the clock! Phileas Fogg has agreed to an outrageous wager that puts his fortune and his life at risk. With his resourceful servant Passepartout, Fogg sets out to circle the globe in an unheard-of 80 days. But his every step is dogged by a detective who thinks he's a robber on the run. Danger, romance, and comic surprises abound in this whirlwind of a show as five actors portraying 39 characters traverse seven continents in Mark Brown's new [2007] adaptation of one of the great adventures of all time.

Loot: Mel Christian (Director)

Mel (Melissa) Christian (Director) is Program Manager for Theatre UAB, where she is in charge of grants, special events and their statewide touring program. She is a native of Northport, AL and holds an MFA in Drama and Communications from the University of New Orleans. Past directing projects include Twelve Angry Men, The Shawl, A Little Princess, Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, On Golden Pond, Little Women, Marvin’s Room, Burn This and her own adaptations of The Three Musketeers and Alice In Wonderland. Joe Orton’s Loot has been on her directing “Bucket List” for almost 20 years. Mel also acts a little, and for BFT was last seen as Sister Bessie in Tobacco Road, Grace in Bus Stop and Evelyn in Kindertransport. She recently received Theatre Downtown’s Audience Choice Award as Best Lead Actress for Dora Strang in Equus.

Loot: William Brisky (Meadows/Stage Manager)

William Brisky (Meadows/Stage Manager) enjoys both acting and working behind the scenes. With over 10 years experience in the theatre, he is happy to tell everyone that theatre keeps him sane. He was last seen on stage in Tobacco Road as Henry Peabody and last seen back stage as stage manager of Lobby Hero. William also stage managed Dead Man's Cell Phone, Talking With..., and Almost, Maine, all at BFT.

Loot: Edwin Booth (Truscott)

Edwin Booth (Truscott) is pleased to be in his third show at BFT, having appeared previously in Moonlight and Magnolias and The Sunset Limited. Professionally, he has played Scrooge for Birmingham Children’s Theatre and also played roles in City Equity’s True West, God of Hell, and will appear for them in February 2011 in Spring Awakening. Other local credits include Gaston in Picasso at the Lapin Agile, and Common Man in A Man for All Seasons. Other roles include Oberon, Vershinin, Sir Anthony Absolute, Torvald, Malvolio, Johnnypateenmike, Bill Sykes, Jean Paul Marat, Elwood P. Dowd, Kreon, Gaev, Baptista, Krapp, Otto Frank, and the Duke of Venice. (Name the plays for extra credit!) One of his favorite roles was the Professor in The Lesson. Edwin enjoys sailing and reading about adventures on the sea.

Loot: Christoph Hooks (Dennis)

Christoph Hooks (Dennis) has previously been in Night of the Living Dead, After School Special, Equus, Ordinary People, and 13th Friday with Theatre Downtown. He assistant-directed 12 Angry Men and Shakespeare's R&J, and co-wrote the music to We Three Queens, also at Theatre Downtown. He was also in Elegies for Angels, Punks, and Raging Queens at BFT.

Loot: Victoria Ward (Fay)

Victoria Ward (Fay) is currently a senior at UAB studying Broadcasting Communications and Theatre. She aspires to enter the radio media field upon graduation and someday set her mark as "The Voice" of some major city. Though this is her first BFT performance, she has played 'La Merluche' in Moliere's The Miser as well as other minor roles in UAB Theatre's 10 Minute Festival of Plays and church productions. Victoria also works at Publix and lives in Calera with her boyfriend and two dogs.