Around the World in 80 Toys
Thaddeus McWhinnie Phillips
September 26-28, 2025
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.
Performance Information
September 26-28, 2025
Sept 26 at 5pm + 8pm
Sept 27 at 2pm + 8pm
Sept 28 at 2pm + 8pm
Pricing
$35 Standard
$15 Kids, Students, Industry, 25-and-Unders
$2 FringeACCESS
FringeArts Member discounts & benefits available
Venue
FringeArts
140 N Columbus Blvd
Philadelphia PA 19106
About the Artist
Thaddeus McWhinnie Phillips
Thaddeus McWhinnie Phillips is a theater artist & director who creates unique theatrical, cinematic, musical & operatic stage productions that stretch the limits of what is possible onstage. Original creations include: Red-Eye to Havre de Grace, Zoo Motel, 17 Border Crossings, Flamingo/Winnebago, Lost Soles, The Adventures of Barry Seal, The Melting Bridge, ¡El Conquistador!, Inflatable Space, Capsule 33, Lost Soles, Lear, & The Tempest. He has been commissioned to devise, design and direct performances by Disney Theatrical (Disney The Magic Box)BAM’s Next Wave Festival (A Billion Nights on Earth), Teatro de La Abadía in Madrid (Antropoceno) & Sweden’s Teateri (Shaun Tan’s The Arrival, The Polar Eagle & The Pilot). His work has been presented the world over from Shanghai to Bogotá to Dublin to Denver to London to Los Angeles and been produced Off- Broadway by New York Theatre Workshop & Barrow Street Theatre.
Creative Team
Supporters
Additional support for this program provided by the Charlotte Cushman Foundation, The Wyncote Foundation, and The Pam & Gresham Riley Foundation.
Co-producers
Christie Hartwell
Shelley Green and Micheal Golden
Accessibility
Wheelchair/Limited Mobility Seating, Assistive Listening Devices, and Sensory Kits Available. Venue social narrative is available online. Check PhillyFringe.org for additional services for specific shows.
Content Considerations
This show contains:
- Audience Interaction
Health & Safety
Masks are optional, vaccines are not required. More information about FringeArts COVID policies can be found here.