SARASOTA – Asolo Repertory Theater ends its season with Laura Eason’s adaptation of Around the World in 80 Days. The classic tale of Phileas Fogg a wealthy man determined to win a bet and travel around the globe within 80 days.
“There’s a real charm to it and the fast space nature and the physical nature is something that helps to tell the story in the quick sort of funny way that we do,” said Matthew Ganley.
A cast of only eight actors play 109 characters throughout the eight different countries in the play. Ganley plays Colonel Proctor and 24 other characters.
“To prepare for that is just about being clear about what you’re doing, every time you’re on stage, you go on stage as a different person so how does that differentiate from the last person you played and it’s really fun,” said Ganley.
The unique fast paced play relies on actors to tell the story by using very little props and instead use their facial and body expressions.
“So there’s eight of us on stage all together all the time and creating magic out of all of these objects, nothing in it is 100 percent literal, and it really takes you back to being a kid,” said Joey Parsad who interprets Miss Singh.
Nyron Levy, interprets Captain Speedy, he says the play has something for everybody in the family to enjoy and you might even leave having learned a lesson or two.
“This particular show really does reach every single person out there, and it tells a really amazing story of things that we actually forget about being in this time now,” said Levy. “So being in 2019 everything is instant, back then it really was instant and it’s just so lovely to actually get a history lesson while enjoying yourself.
The play premieres Friday night at Asolo Theater until June 23rd. Tickets are still available online and at the ticket booth.
