PRESS RELEASE
1127 Vine Street | Cincinnati, OH 45202 | www.ensemblecincinnati.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 14, 2013
Contact: Jocelyn Meyer, Director of Communications
(513) 421-3555 x15
jmeyer@ensemblecincinnati.org
THE ADVENTURE BEGINS DECEMBER 4TH!
ENSEMBLE THEATRE CINCINNATI PRESENTS FAMILY FRIENDLY HOLIDAY MUSICAL
AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS, DECEMBER 4, 2012-JANUARY 4, 2014
(Cincinnati, OH) Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati (ETC) presents the return of one of its most cherished
family-friendly holiday musicals Around the World in 80 Days, by local playwright Joseph McDonough
with music and lyrics by David Kisor, playing December 4, 2013 through January 4, 2014. In the tradition
of ETC’s “fractured fairytale” holiday productions, Around the World in 80 Days is a modern spin on the
classic tale by Jules Verne. This revamped production features a fantastical set design, an updated
musical score and story, and integrates several puppets to immerse the audience within the various
locations depicted in the play. Directed by D. Lynn Meyers. Premiere Sponsor is Macy’s.
The bet is on! For the holidays, ETC features the long-awaited return of Around The World in 80 Days,
one of the theatre’s first commissioned musicals, last performed at ETC thirteen years ago. In addition
to the myriad of characters, this production also features several puppets, including a full-size Indian
elephant, Cancan Dancers, a herd of buffalo, a Chinese parade dragon, and a few other surprises—
created and executed by Puppet Master Joe Kovacs. Mr. Kovacs is an internationally renowned
puppeteer who has worked for the Jim Henson Company as the Coca-Cola Polar Bear, Shrek, and spent
five years dancing in a 150-pound costume as “Bear" in Bear in the Big Blue House, LIVE. Audiences may
also remember him when he recreated and performed the character of 1970s-80s puppet icon
''Madame” for six years.
It is 1899 and the mysterious, brilliant, mathematically precise Englishman Phileas Fogg has wagered his
considerable fortune that the world can now be circumnavigated in a mere 80 days. Will bandits,
buffalo, winter storms and even the meddlesome Scotland Yard prevent him and his wily valet,
Passepartout, from completing this daunting task? Jumping between trains and steamships, even
employing an elephant, this magical family-friendly adventure leads Fogg to discover a wider world as
well as his own heart in this swashbuckling musical retelling of Jules Verne’s classic tale.
Each season, ETC produces a magical fairy tale musical written with families in mind. As a theatre that
also seeks to nurture new audiences, ETC has specifically commissioned these shows that take classic
fairy tales and give them a fresh, modern spin with contemporary cultural references to make the shows’
message accessible for the next generation of arts patrons. Following the success of recent holiday
musicals, ETC’s performance schedule includes over 30 chances for audiences to see this popular
production. ETC will also offer a convenient show calendar for families with many weekend matinees,
early 6:00 pm Sunday evening shows, and 7:00 pm evening shows throughout the holiday season.
-MORE1127 Vine Street | Cincinnati, OH 45202 | www.ensemblecincinnati.org
ETC Presents Family Friendly Musical Around the World in 80 Days
Contact: Jocelyn Meyer, 513.421.3555 x15
About the Cast
Ken Early stars as Phileas Fogg. His other Ensemble Theatre credits include The Whipping Man, Grey
Gardens, Alice In Wonderland, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, and The Frog Princess. His other regional
credits include To Kill a Mockingbird and Of Mice and Men, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company; Adding
Machine the Musical and The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, Know Theatre of Cincinnati; Church Girls the
Musical: Umatilla USA, The Odd Couple, Man of La Mancha, The World Goes Round, and Godspell, for
Commonwealth Theatre Company.
Michael G. Bath (Passepartout) returns to ETC’s stage, marking this year as his seventeenth consecutive
holiday show with Ensemble Theatre. He most recently appeared in ETC’s productions of Alice in
Wonderland, Snow White, Next Fall, Cinderella, Becky’s New Car and My Name is Asher Lev. Other
regional credits include Superior Donuts with The Clifton Players and Angels in America at Know Theatre.
Mr. Bath has also performed with Playhouse in the Park, Cincinnati Children’s Theatre, the Performance
Gallery, Showboat Majestic, and Stage First Cincinnati.
Annie Fitzpatrick (Inspector Fix) recently appeared in Black Pearl Sings! and Good People at Ensemble
Theatre Cincinnati. Her other ETC productions include: Next Fall, Dead Man’s Cell Phone, Rabbit Hole,
String of Pearls, Wayfarer’s Rest, and Earhart. She won Cincinnati Entertainment Awards for her
performances in Copperheads, Dinner With Friends, and Mauritius. She appeared in Hank Williams: Lost
Highway at Cincinnati Playhouse In the Park, A Man For All Seasons and Blithe Spirit at Cincinnati
Shakespeare Company, and Collapse at The Know. Her TV and film credits include Those Who Kill on A&E,
Little Accidents, Army Wives, Fun Size, and Milk Money.
Torie Wiggins (Aouda) returns to Ensemble Theatre, having most recently appeared in Black Pearl Sings!
and Alice in Wonderland. She co-adapted and performed her one-woman show, Your Negro Tour Guide
at Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati, as well as other venues in Cincinnati and across the country. She has
appeared on All My Children, the feature film Love Me Through It and her voice can be heard on
numerous national television and radio commercials Her Know Theatre of Cincinnati credits include
Abraham Lincoln's Big Gay Dance Party, Collapse, Afghan Women Writer's Project, and Bloody Bloody
Andrew Jackson. She was recently seen in The Crucible and To Kill A Mockingbird at Cincinnati
Shakespeare Company.
Joe Kovacs (Puppet Master) is originally from Independence, Ohio has worked in the arts since
graduating from the School for Creative and Performing Arts in 1986. He acted in Ensemble Theatre
Cincinnati's 1999 production of Around the World in 80 Days, moved to NYC, and has appeared on stage,
screen, and televisions worldwide, from Broadway to Bahrain and from Edinburgh, Scotland to Paris,
Kentucky. He was a dragon in the film, Old Dogs, with John Travolta and Robin Williams.
Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati regulars Buz Davis, Jared D. Doren, Deb G. Girdler, and Sara Mackie also
appear in this production. Darnell Pierre Benjamin, Linnea Bond, Becca Howell, Andrew Maloney,
Jeremy Carlisle Parker, Zak Schneider, Tess Talbot, and Sola Thompson round out the ensemble cast.
Production team includes Brian c. Mehring (Set & Lighting Designer), Aaron Clements (Technical
Operations Director), Matthew Hollstegge (Production Coordinator & Master Electrician), Shannon Rae
Lutz (Properties Master & Design Assistant), Matthew Tibbs (Sound Designer), Scot Woolley (Musical
Director), Dee Anne Bryll (Choreographer), Mary Eagan Murphy (Costume Designer), and Kelly Yurko
(Wigs & Makeup Designer). Production Stage Manager is Brandon T. Holmes.
-MORE1127 Vine Street | Cincinnati, OH 45202 | www.ensemblecincinnati.org
ETC Presents Family Friendly Musical Around the World in 80 Days
Contact: Jocelyn Meyer, 513.421.3555 x15
Ticket Prices
Tickets are $39 for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday performances.
Tickets are $43 for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday performances.
Student tickets are $25 for all performances.
Children’s tickets (ages 12 and under) are $16 for all performances.
For the 2013-2014 season, ETC will continue its popular half-price rush tickets and $15 student rush
tickets for all performances, which are available two hours prior to show time. Tickets and seating
subject to availability.
Performance Schedule
Runs December 4, 2013-January 4, 2014. 7:00 p.m. performances Fri.; 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
performances Sat. and select weeknights; 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. on Sundays. No performances on
Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. A complete calendar is available at www.ensemblecincinnati.org.
Other Single Ticket Discounts
Military/Educator, Public Radio Perks Card, AAA, Senior and Enjoy the Arts discounts available; tickets
and seating are subject to availability. ETC accepts all major credit cards and Downtown Cincinnati gift
cards. Group rates are available for 10 or more people.
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Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati is supported, in part, by the generosity of community contributions to the ArtsWave Campaign.
The Ohio Arts Council helps fund Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and
cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati also receives funding from the Shubert Foundation and the National
Endowment for the Arts.
2013-2014 Season Presenting Sponsor is the Otto M. Budig Family Foundation. Additional support provided by Garfield Suites Hotel, The
Greater Cincinnati Foundation, the Shubert Foundation, and National Endowment for the Arts.
Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati is a professional theatre dedicated to producing world and regional premieres of works that often explore
compelling social issues. We fulfill our mission through our stage productions and educational outreach programs that enlighten, enliven, enrich
and inspire our audiences.
1127 Vine Street | Cincinnati, OH 45202 | www.ensemblecincinnati.org