Orson Welles and Cole Porter
The performances, running Deceember 6-12, are fundraising events for Britain’s The Lost Musicals Charitable Trust. This production marks the first time “Around the World” will be seen in New York since the original production in 1946.
Porter and Welles’ show closed on August 3, 1946 after only 75 performances. Welles, who had helped finance the musical, lost $320,000 on the production.
Based on Jules Verne’s classic novel “Around The World in 80 Days,” , the story follows Phineas Fogg, who makes a bet to go ‘Around The World In Eighty Days.’ Welles’ madcap script shows off his incredible showmanship and comedic sense of fun, while Porter’s delightful score-including “Pipe Dreaming,” “There He Goes, Mr. Phineas Fogg,” “Whenever They Fly The Flag Of Old England,” “Should I Tell You I Love You,” and “Look What I Found,” featuring his usual lyrical wit and melodic panache.
The play premiered on Broadway at the Adelphi Theatre on May 31, 1946, with a cast and crew of 150 people. Welles returned from Hollywood to Broadway as the writer, producer, director and star-advertising the show as a “Musical Extravaganza.” Indeed, the spectacular production boasted a giant mechanical elephant, an onstage train crash, fireworks, magic tricks, silent film clips, and an entire three-ring circus. The New York Post called Around The World “the most exciting musical in years.” While The New Yorker hailed, “It’s a damn good show, like nothing you’ve ever seen before.”
The benefit performances will be a semi-staged production.
For tickets, visit the theater’s online box office or call (866) 811-4111.
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