A.D. Players Launches New Season with Comedy AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS

A.D. Players at The George, one of Houston's largest resident theatre companies, opens its 52nd season with the Jules Verne classic, Around The World In 80 Days! at The George Theater from Friday, September 14th - Sunday, September 30th, 2018, with preview night performances September 12th & 13th. "Around The World in 8o Days" takes the classic story and spins it by using 5 actors to play up to 39 characters. It is a story of adventure and ultimately of love.

First published in 1873, the story of Phileas Fogg and his French valet Passpartout's attempt to travel around the world in 80 days on a bet became one of Jules Vernes' most acclaimed works. In 2001, the stage adaptation by Mark Brown was released, utilizing 5 actors to play the many characters. The script has been produced around the world, from Utah and New York to Bangledesh and New Zealand.

Coming off of a successful season at the new George Theater, Interim Artistic Director Kevin Dean said "We decided to open our 52nd season with this show because we've always felt if you can start a season with something energetic and full of life that energy will have a ripple effect throughout the rest of your season. Keeping that in mind, we decided there was no better way to kick off this year than with a comedic adventure full of stampeding elephants, raging typhoons, and runaway trains!"

The cast of A.D. Players production utilizes long standing company members Kevin Dean and Craig Griffin, as well as top tier local artists Braden Hunt, Skylar Sinclair, and New York based actor Luis Quintero. "As an artist I am very interested in removing any obstacles between the play and the audience. This version of Around The World In 80 Days appealed to me because telling this story with 5 actors, imaginative props, and minimal set to create the effects is about as elemental as it gets," said Director Philip Lehl.

Recently winning the Houston Press Award for Best Set and Property Design on their production of God's Favorite, the technical staff is excited to take on the journey of 80 Days in a new and creative way. "Building the world of a play is a collaboration, and I am pleased to be working with such a talented team of designers." said Technical Director Michael Mullins.

Jake Speck, Executive Director of the A.D. Players at The George and Interim Artistic Director Kevin Dean wrote in their annual letter to their subscribers, "This season we are taking risks and pushing our limits. We are stepping into both familiar and brand-new territory. We have chosen a bold season worthy of our glorious new home as well as the legacy of our founder." A.D. Players is ready to take Houston on a journey around the world.

Performances are Wednesdays through Sundays. Tickets are priced at $20-70, and can be purchased online or via The George Theater Box Office at (713) 526-2721.

A.D. Players at The George, founded in 1967 by Jeannette Clift George, produces compelling theatre that upholds human value, celebrates creativity and engages a diverse audience. The company is one of Houston's largest resident theatre companies, impacting more than nine million people over its lifetime. Annually, the company produces Mainstage Theatre performances, fields a Regional Touring Unit and maintains a year-round Performing Arts Academy. A.D. Players at The George became an Actors' Equity Association (AEA) theatre in 2017 and is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization.

For more information, visit www.adplayers.org