Verne Novel Comes to Life

For its 20th season, the Lookingglass Theatre Company, of Chicago, has outdone itself with a ravishing world-premiere production of "Around the World in 80 Days."

Written and directed by Laura Eason with joyful whimsy and fantastic invention, this stage adaptation of the Jules Verne novel comes to exhilarating life in a dazzling display of theatrical genius.

The pulse-pounding, clock-ticking story begins as British aristocrat Phileas Fogg, punctual to the point of obsession, makes a wager with his smoke-filled gentlemen's club buddies that he can travel the globe in 80 days.

Set in the days when the sun never set on the British Empire, the breathtaking adventure takes us to faraway places such as Calcutta, Hong Kong and Japan by rail, steamboat, ocean steamer and sled.

With a magnificent precision and attention to detail, the show features daring feats, charming humorous moments and indelible images.

We laugh at rattling cups that slide along a table on board ship, listen in enjoyment to train whistles that echo in the distance and are enchanted by a sail-powered sled gliding gently into a snowy night.

The spellbinding special effects continue and are highlighted by the production's technical crew (Jacqueline and Richard Penrod's scenic design, Lee Keenan's lighting, and sound by Joshua Horvath).

Thanks to them, we thrill to a train robbery on the plains of the American West, an elephant chase, a thunderous buffalo stampede and a most spectacular lightning-tossed storm-at-sea scene.

The performances, too, are exceptional.

Philip R. Smith is perfect in the role of Fogg, the proper English bachelor who is always arrogantly in control; Kevin Douglas, with acrobatic ease, is terrific as Fogg's valet, Passepartout; and Joe Dempsey is a stitch as the clumsy Inspector Fix.

In addition, Nick Sandys is superb in multiple roles, as are Rom Barkhordar, Anish Jethmalani and Ericka Ratcliff.

"Around the World in 80 Days" is not only a magical land-sea voyage but, as accompanied by Kevin O'Connell's lush music, is a meaningful emotional journey, as well.

As he travels, Fogg's habitual and long-held views begin to change, and he becomes more spontaneous and open to life.

By show's end he decides to travel the world with the young Indian woman he rescued, not just to win a bet but to savor the sites he never bothered to experience his first time around.

This is a show theatergoers will be talking about for a long time. Without a doubt, it's one of the best shows of the year. You don't want to miss it.