Let’s cut to the chase. This year the Grossmont College Summer Theatre Arts Program outdid itself with its production of “80 Days! The New Musical” based off the classic Jules Verne novel. It was clever, funny, tender and had all of the elements of a great play. Playing through Aug. 6, this program is an outreach to high school students, pairing them with Grossmont College students and instructed by teachers and mentors that are actively working in the industry today.
Let’s cut to the chase. This year the Grossmont College Summer Theatre Arts Program outdid itself with its production of “80 Days! The New Musical” based off the classic Jules Verne novel. It was clever, funny, tender and had all of the elements of a great play. Playing through Aug. 6, this program is an outreach to high school students, pairing them with Grossmont College students and instructed by teachers and mentors that are actively working in the industry today. This outreach program entirely funded by the public, and its results go well beyond putting on a great show.
But great this show is in many ways. First of all the Stagehouse Theatre did something completely new this year with the use of modern technology, which is befitting of the classic story where Phileas Fogg uses the latest technology to travel around the world in 80 days. The Stagehouse Theatre is a smaller venue, comparable to the Lyceum Theatre in San Diego, but with the use of projections in the background, it expanded this small stage into a world of wonder. No only did it magically open up the room, but added so much character to the play as you watched the scenery as they rode the train, saw the festival in Bombay and hit violent storms while traveling across the Atlantic Ocean. This had to be a wonderful learning experience for the technical crew that worked on the production, and kudos to the team that brought this play to life like none other seen at this gem of a theatre.
Add that to a funny and affectionate musical about adventure, love and empowerment it adds up to an excellent blend of both performance and technology. Knowing the story well and expecting adventure and romance, it was a pleasant surprise to see the comedy entwined within this play. It added a pizzazz that was undeniable from innuendos to pure slapstick comedy.
Our main characters Phileas Fogg played by Daniel Castro and Aouda played by Delia Mejia were convincing as blooming lovers. With a natural chemistry and voices that complemented each other in song it was a great move to freeze the stage, dim the lights as they sang through their budding growing romance. It pinpointed both the inward and outward emotions with precision whether singing in duet or solo, but most of all told a story. The use of modern music such as Mejia’s performance of “Wide Open Spaces” was another smart decision in the production of this play. It made an old story new, relevant to our times and added a sweet flavor to the entire show.
These two players were lifted through the performances of Passepartout (Safiya Quinley) and Detective Fix (Stewart Caprio). Passepartout, Fogg’s trusty concierge played a large role in bringing both comedy and action to the play. Quinley was spot on from her accent to her quirky character that would do anything to help Fogg and his goal to win the bet that using modern technology it was possible to make a journey around the world in 80 days. Followed by Detective Fix, Caprio was hysterically funny, sang while dancing, twisting and flipping across the stage with ease so noticeable that he never showed even a hint of loss of breath. This dynamic quartet pivoted the story from scene to scene, giving the audience a performance that will not be soon forgotten.
With so many scene changes, the cast transitioned beautifully from one to another, from foot to train, to elephant and ocean bound. And as said before, the use of projection created such a visual journey around the world embellished the performances of all throughout the play. All of the supporting cast added important elements to the play and the choices of songs moved the story around the globe as much as the action, comedy and romance.
Not only is this a great play to see, but also it is a wonderful cause to support. The experience that these young actors receive with this program in unprecedented and has proven over the years to be successful and educational for those that seek their own journey through the industry as professionals.
For information on tickets visit www.grossmont.edu/theatrebrochure or call the box office at (619) 644-7234. Tickets are on sale one hour before the show at the box office. The Stagehouse Theatre is located on the Grossmont College campus.
