The family-friendly show will hit the James R. Hartman Theatre beginning Friday.
Audiences are invited to travel the world beginning this weekend without leaving Schoolcraft College.
The Schoolcraft College Theatre Department will debut “Around the World in 80 Days” in the James R. Hartman Theatre in the Liberal Arts Building. The family-friendly show will take the stage April 5, 6, 7, 12 and 13.
“This is a family comedy based on Jules Verne’s novel,” said Paul Beer, the show’s director and faculty member of the Theatre Department. “The play has 40-plus scenes that take place on the same set, and over 30 characters played by six actors, so it will be a creative and interesting experience.”
Originally adapted for the stage in 2000 by Mark Brown, Around the World in 80 Days has been on stage since 2001, including Off-Broadway. The show at Schoolcraft College features all students and alumni; rehearsals have taken place since February with the main cast.
In addition to the performance, audiences are invited to enjoy another Schoolcraft College specialty: a meal at The Craft Grille. In conjunction with the stage production, visitors for the evening shows are encouraged to stop by The Craft Grille inside the Vistatech Center for a globally-inspired meal and drink. Special menus showcasing the cuisines will be offered to theater-goers to help them prepare for the upcoming show.
Such a collaboration is reminiscent of the former dinner theatre events the College did prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“COVID and a number of other factors have moved us away from the dinner theatre, but we though this tie-up – in which The Craft Grille has a few menu items tailored to our production – would allow theatre patrons to enjoy the work of our Culinary department,” Beer said.
Patrons should head to The Craft Grille 60-90 minutes before the opening curtain on Friday or Saturday evening to allow time for dinner before the show. Performances of Around the World in 80 Days will hit the stage at 7:30 p.m. April 5, 6, 12 and 13. A matinee performance will take place at 2 p.m. April 7. General admission tickets are $20 and student tickets are $15 with valid ID. Tickets can be purchased by visiting schoolcraft.edu/theatre.