A cinematic and theatrical journey into the realm of micro-cinema, classic stage magic, illusions and object puppetry.

Visionary theater artist, Thaddeus McWhinnie Phillips (A Billion Nights on Earth, 17 Border Crossings, Lost Soles, ¡El Conquistador!) returns to Philadelphia after co-writing, designing and directing Disney’s new musical, The Magic Box.

This world premiere is inspired by the true story of Georges Méliès, the father of cinema and special effects. Méliès essentially invented movie making and made hundreds of groundbreaking movies at the turn of the 20th century. But by the 1920s, he lived in relative obscurity, working in a small toy store in the Montparnasse train station in Paris.

The performance begins in that toy store with 80 toys and a copy of Jules Verne’s Around The World in 80 Days. The tiny toy shop’s eclectic collection of objects become the stars of a magical story told live on stage and on screen in a unique hybrid of film and theater. Around The World in 80 Toys blends micro-cinema, magic, object puppetry, inventive special effects, miniatures & toys to create a one-of-a-kind theatrical event for ages 8+.

Created in collaboration with magician Steve Cuiffo, director Tatiana Mallarino, sound designer Ian Vesperman & light designer Drew Billiau.

SUPPORT

Additional support for this program provided by the Charlotte Cushman Foundation, The Wyncote Foundation, and Pam & Gresham Riley.

Co-producers
Christie Hartwell
Shelley Green
Micheal Golden