AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS Opens Tonight at Ocean State Theatre

Ocean State Theatre Company (OSTC), currently celebrating its fourth season in its state-of-the-art theatre in Warwick is proud to present the "original amazing race," Around the World in 80 Days. This madcap, magical adaptation of the Jules Verne classic, with additional support provided by Healthtrax Fitness & Wellness, will enjoy a limited run at Ocean State Theatre from tonight, November 4, through November 22.

Stampeding elephants! Raging typhoons! Runaway trains! Unabashedly slapstick! 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 37 characters traverse seven continents in Mark Brown's new adaptation of one of the greatest adventures of all time!

Ocean State Theatre Company is thrilled to welcome actor/director Mark Torres, who will be making his directing debut with OSTC. Mr. Torres has appeared on Broadway (Amadeus) and acted and/or directed for numerous regional theatres throughout the country including Trinity Repertory Company, The Dallas Theater Center, The Walnut Street Theatre, The Utah Shakespeare Festival, and others. He served as Producing Artistic Director for 13 years at Penobscot Theatre in Bangor, Maine, was the Artistic Director for Moving Target Theatre in Dallas, and produced the Maine Shakespeare Festival for nine summers. The cast includes Russell Garrett of Boston, who directed and choreographed OSTC productions of The Full Monty, Hairspray, 9 To 5, Legally Blonde, and last summer's Gypsy. Mr. Garrett, who made his OSTC stage debut in the role of Julian Marsh in 42nd Street, will portray the role of Phileas Fogg. The remainder of the cast, who all portray multiple roles includes Jonathan Fisher of Providence, who made his professional theatre debut in last season's production of Dial M for Murder, Minita Gandhi of Chicago, who has been seen on both television ("Chicago Fire," "Empire") and at regional theatres (Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Arena Stage, Milwaukee Repertory Theater) across the country, David Groccia of North Providence, who has appeared in OSTC productions of Guys and Dolls and My Fair Lady, and regional theatre (Ogunquit Playhouse, Foothills Theatre, Bucks County Playhouse) performer, Matt Jones, who is making his OSTC debut.

Around the World in 80 Days will be presented at Ocean State Theatre from November 4 - 22. Previews are scheduled for Wednesday, November 4 at 7:30 pm and Thursday, November 5 at 2:00 and 7:30 pm. All other performances will be held Wednesday (except November 11), Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 pm, with matinees on Thursdays (except November 19), Saturdays at 2:00 pm (except November 7 & 14) and Sundays at 2:00 pm. Conducting Conversations Live!, a free post-show discussion hosted by WCRI's Mike Maino, will follow the 2pm performance on Sunday, November 8.

The theatre is located at 1245 Jefferson Boulevard, Warwick, RI. Tickets are $30 for preview performances and $34-$49 for all other performances. Discount rates for groups of 20 or more are available by calling (401) 921-1777 x112. $25 "Rush" tickets are available on a limited basis one hour prior to curtain on the day of the performance. Tickets are on sale at the box office Monday through Friday from 12 noon - 6:00 pm, Saturdays from 12 noon - 4:00 pm, and from 12 noon until curtain time on performance days. Tickets are also available online 24 hours a day at www.OceanStateTheatre.org and via telephone during normal box office hours by calling (401) 921-6800.

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