Theatre-Hikes take adventurous audiences 'Around the World'

Morton Arboretum goers can expect a breezy forecast on weekends in September — a byproduct of the whirlwind of characters, costumes and continents associated with the current Theatre-Hikes production.

“Around the World in 80 Days” takes chaos to the hills and dales of Lisle's outdoor museum to tell the story of an adventurer, Phileas Fogg, who accepts a challenge to travel the globe within 80 days.

Theatre-Hikes shows, on Saturdays and Sundays at the outdoor museum, ask audience members to walk from setting to setting as the landscapes of the arboretum provide the backdrops for each scene as the plot unfolds.

Just five actors will play 39 characters as they depict the ups and downs of Fogg's journey.

The storytelling and outdoor set produce a good marriage for the production that requires quick costume changes and very few props, Director Lavina Jadhwani said. Traveling from set to set means very few props can be used, as they would have to be carried from scene to scene. #8220;We follow the hikers ethic, which is that you don't bring much into the woods with you, and everything you have with you should have multiple purposes,#8221; said Frank Farrell, founder of Theatre-Hikes. #8220;We have a lot of mime in our shows and our major focus is on costumes and how we can dress the costumes to help the story.#8221; One unique aspect of this production is that actors occasionally break from the script to interact with the audience, Jadhwani said.

#8220;You see the actor as themselves as opposed to always being in character. There's just a line or two where they break, and it's like, #8216;I'm Phileas Fogg, but here's a thing that I actually want to tell you,' #8221; Jadhwani said. #8220;Direct address is the way that they engage the audience, as opposed to being in strict dialogue.#8221;

Part of the play's fun during this adventure is experiencing so many different cultures in a short amount of time, she said.

Along his journey, Fogg spends some extra time in India #8212; a country where something pivotal happens. Without spoiling the story, let's say he has had some possessions taken away from him, and he's lost some things, and he meets someone who is critical to his journey.

To further the experience in India, dance is used to help tell the story. A dance sequence was created to move the story along and validate that culture and location, Choreographer Alka Nayyar said.

#8220;It gives it a little bit of Indian flavor and authenticities,#8221; Nayyar said.

Although not all actors are natural dancers, Nayyar said this small group who works through the chaos of playing so many characters also pulls off dancing well.

#8220;They're very talented and very sporty,#8221; Nayyar said. #8220;They've gone along with whatever we've tried to do, and they've added their own creativity as well.#8221;

#8220;Around the World in 80 Days#8221; runs from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Sept. 17, 18, 24 and 25.

Tickets are $12 for adult members or $19 for other adults, and $8 for children ages 2 to 17 who are members or $13 for nonmember children. Tickets can be purchased online at mortonarb.org, by calling (630) 725-2066 or in person. Tickets purchased in advance include free admission to the arboretum.

Saturday hikes are typically 2-mile walks, while Sundays are considered low-impact hikes and stay near paths to better accommodate wheelchairs and strollers.

If you go

What: “Around the World in 80 Days” Theatre-Hike

When: 1 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through September

Where: Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle

Cost: $12 for adult members, $19 for other adults; $8 for member children ages 2 to 17, $13 for others

Info: (630) 968-0074 or mortonarb.org