Press Release: The Drawer Boy

May 13, 2004.Burbank, CA.The Colony Theatre Company, winner of back-to-back Ovation Awards for best play - proudly presents its first production of their 2004 - 2005 season, the Los Angeles premiere of the epic adventure, AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS by Mark Brown, based on the novel by Jules Verne and directed by LA Weekly Award-winning director Stefan Novinski (THE SKIN OF OUR TEETH; THE COSMONAUT'S LAST MESSAGE TO THE WOMAN HE ONCE LOVED IN THE FORMER SOVIET UNION). AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS will preview June 9th, June 10th and June 11th at 8:00pm and will open on Saturday, June 12th and continue through Sunday, July 11th at the Colony Theatre, 555 North Third Street (at Cypress) in the heart of the Burbank Media Center.        

The bet is on!  Travel AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS in this thrilling new telling for the whole family -which takes you from London to Bombay, Yokohama to San Francisco, through typhoons, out-of- control trains and into the deepest reaches of your imagination as it's all done with just one table, four chairs and five actors - all live on the stage of the Colony Theatre.  Phileas Fogg says he can race from London to London in a mere 80 days, but the pressure's on and time is running out.  At his side, a band of quirky adventurers.  At their heels, a relentless Scotland Yard detective.  At stake, surviving utterly fantastic adventures across India, China, Japan and America - beating the clock - and winning the bet.  This is no movie.this is theatre at it's most magical and transporting!

Barbara Beckley, Producing Director of the Colony Theatre comments, "What better way to begin our extraordinary 2004 - 2005 season than with a journey around the world and into our hearts.  This is a perfect show for the whole family to enjoy together and discover the true magic of the theatre.  We are delighted to be producing the Los Angeles premiere of this new adaptation of a classic story told in a completely unexpected way.  Our subscribers and audiences are going on an extraordinary trip without ever leaving Burbank."

Stefan Novinski is an award winning director based in Los Angeles. Recent productions include THE COSMONAUT'S LAST MESSAGE.... (LA WEEKLY AWARD , Best Director, Best Production Design, Best Production 2003); AS I LAY DYING (LA WEEKLY AWARD Nomination for Direction); FEN (Garland Award for Direction, Top Ten Productions of the year, LA WEEKLY) all at the Open Fist Theatre Co. THE SKIN OF OUR TEETH (LA WEEKLY AWARD for Best Revival 2003) at the Evidence Room. SIDEWAYS STORIES FROM THE WAYSIDE SCHOOL at South Coast Rep. Stefan holds an MFA in Directing from UCSD; credits there include Polaroid Stories by Naomi Iizuka and The Sound and The Fury adapted by Erik Ehn (KPBS Patte' award); Persians, adapted by Andrew Case. New York credits include Chinese Waiter at HERE for the Lincoln Center Director's Lab/American Living Room; Rogues/Special Fund for the New York International Fringe Festival. Prior to moving to the West Coast, He served as the Associate Producer of The Big D Festival of the Unexpected at the Dallas Theater Center. He is a member of the Lincoln Center Director's Lab.

The cast of AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS features: Tony Maggio, Jeff Marlow, Kwana Martinez, Larry Cedar and Morgan Rusler.

AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS has assembled an award-winning design team.  The set design is by Donna Marquet.  The costume design is by Melanie Watnick.  The sound design is by Drew Dalzell.  The lighting design is by Jeremy Pivnick.  

Performances for AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS will be Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm, and Sundays at 2:00pm and 7:00pm.  Additionally there will be performances on Saturday, June 19th and Saturday, June 26th at 3:00pm; Wednesday, June 30th, Thursday, July 1st and Thursday, July 8th at 8:00pm.  There will be no performances on Sunday, July 4th.  Performances on Saturday, July 3rd will begin at 2:00pm and 7:00pm.  Ticket prices range from $26.00 - $36.00 (student and senior discounts are available).  Preview performances will be Wednesday, June 9th, Thursday, June 10th and Friday, June 11th at 8:00pm - all tickets $16.00.  Opening night performance with reception - all tickets $60.00.  There will be two Talk-Back performances with the cast and director on Friday, June 18th and Wednesday, June 30th immediately following the performance.  For tickets, call the Box Office at 818/558-7000.      

In partnership with the Los Angeles Radio Reading Service, The Colony now offers Audio Description for one performance during each production. The service provides a rich description of the show giving our visually impaired patrons the full Colony experience. Audio Description will be available on Saturday, June 26th at 3:00pm. To make a reservation for this performance, call the box office and ask for Audio Description Saturdays.

For more information or for press comps, please contact David Elzer/DEMAND PR at 818/508-1754 or at ELZERD@aol.com.

The Colony Theatre Company is a 29 year old organization dedicated to bringing the finest quality theatrical productions to Los Angeles. The theatre is located at 555 North Third Street, at the corner of Cypress, in the heart of the Burbank Media Center. For further information, call (818) 558-7000. Fax number: (818) 558-7110. E-mail: colonytheatre@colonytheatre.org. Or visit our website at www.colonytheatre.ORG.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRESS CONTACT: David Elzer
818/508-1754