PHS Drama Department to launch `Around the World in 80 Days’
The Plymouth High School Drama Department is preparing a very theatrical and music-filled adaptation of Jules Verne’s famous novel, “Around the World in 80 Days,” which will play Nov. 5-8.
This version of the famous adventure tale features a script and original songs by Phil Willmott, with a score by Annemarie Lewis Thomas based on tunes by Phil Willmott.
The legendary story starts in 1873 London as the staunch Englishman, Phileas Fogg (Luke Murray), accepts the challenge to travel around the world in 80 days. Accompanied by his comical French servant, Passepartout (Cody Wisman), Fogg attempts to circumnavigate the earth by traveling via train, then boat, then hot air balloon, and even an elephant while visiting the following countries and cities: Paris, Switzerland, Madrid, Venice, Athens, Egypt, India, Hong Kong, Japan, and Wild West USA.
Over 47 different characters appear throughout the telling of this tale, including the beautiful Indian princess, Aouda (Molly Thiesenhusen), who, much to her surprise, falls in love with the stiff Mr. Fogg. And, much more to his surprise, he finds himself returning the affection.
Passepartout’s love interest is the feisty Irish lass, Katy O’Flathery (Emily Blanton), who first appears during a performance at the Moulin Rose in Paris with her dancing girls: Helga (Anna Strand) from Bavaria, Sheila (Jacqueline Schaefer) from Australia), Yuki (Lauren Schwalenberg) from the East, Trudy (Holly Henriksen) from the tropics, Pam (Phoebe Sebranek) from Alabama, Svetlana (Johanna Schmidt) from Russia, Morag (Katherine Nye) from Scotland, as well as two more beautiful dancers, assistant student choreographer Emily Schirmer and Leah Glassford, who later appears as Tammy Lou from America.
Throughout Fogg and Passepartout’s travels, several famous characters also make cameo appearances to discuss the progress, or lack thereof, of the world traveling team including: Sherlock Holmes (Jesse Meyer) and Dr. Watson (Aaron Cantleberry), Queen Victoria (Madeline Nesemann) and Prime Minister Disraeli (Mitch Krahn), Jesse James (Jon Hintz), and even P.T. Barnum (Ricardo Lee).
Fogg and Passepartout make astounding progress and appear to have avoided any delays until the scheming of Captain James Fix (Robert Larson), who has wagered that the dynamic team will never be able to complete the journey, begins to interfere. To help win his bet, the dastardly Fix instigates numerous delays including a hunting trip in India and a visit to an opium den in China supervised by the equally wicked Mrs. Chang (Ally McManus).
A prim English missionary, Miss Fotherington (Hannah Scherer), tries to help the travelers, and is ultimately reunited with her love interest, who happens to be Captain Fix himself.
According to Phileas Fogg, “a wager is never ridiculous to an Englishman,” but will Fogg and Passepartout make their journey in 80 days and win the wager?
To find out the ending and witness this classic literature come to life on PHS’s stage, mark your calendars now, and plan to attend PHS’s annual fall play Nov. 5-8.
Under the direction of student choreographer, senior Hannah Vogel, the cast members dance and sing many lively songs accompanied by pianist Carol Wisman and student bass player Cameron Collard.
Also included in the supporting cast are the following students:
Sean Beitler, Sydne Blackshear, Courtney Bonnet, Madalyn Brown, Katherine Dunn, Rachel Eggert, Marlena Frame, Christopher Gideon, Leah Hankins, Adam Hernandez, Kate Hojnacki, Jenessa Klahn, Jourdan Klann, Andrew Larson, Alex Lomibao, Charlie Martin, Chelsea Martin, Lacey Meyer, Keston Murphy, Marissa Murphy, Amber Osness, Taylor Radder, Marisa Raeder, Nicole Richart, Sabrina Sanchez, Brittany Schaefer, Alyssa Schall, Rebecca Schwartz, Lane Slaughter, Josh Smith, Cassidy Steinke, and McKenzie Tischauser.
Additionally, numerous students frequent the backstage to work on the set, props, and costumes including:
Wesley Bruce, Victoria Loose, Amber Musiedlak, Aubrey Leigh Newton, Samantha Ponath, Heaven Protsman, Emily Ruehle, Peter Seich, Sarah Severn, and Josh Smith, with more students volunteering every day.
The play is being directed by PHS English and drama teacher Janet DeJean Newton, assisted by Amy Larson. The 2009-10 student theatre managers are Matt Suemnicht and Josh Schultz, the student technical director is Josh Smith, and the student stage manager is Brittany Schaefer.
To enhance the exploration of international destinations, snacks from around the world will be offered by the German Club on Thursday, the Culinary Arts III Class on Friday, and the World Language Club on Saturday. The German Club plans to use the funds for scholarships and the German National Honor Society, the Culinary Arts class plans to use the funds to offset fieldtrip experiences to see professional chefs at work, and the World Language Club hopes to fund club activities and a possible field trip to a Global Village.
General admission tickets to the play are $5 and may be purchased at the door or at the PHS office up to two weeks before the performance. The show will open Thursday, Nov. 5, at 7:30, and play again Friday, Nov. 6, and Saturday, Nov. 7, at 7:30, and Sunday, Nov. 8, at 2 p.m.
For more information, contact PHS English and drama teacher Janet DeJean Newton at (920) 893-6911.
