Georgetown Co-production of Family-friendly Classic The Phantom Tollbooth Runs Jan. 26-Feb. 4

Washington, DC—Georgetown University Theater & Performance Studies Program and Nomadic Theatre co-present the imaginative, family-friendly adventure “The Phantom Tollbooth” by Susan Nanus, based on the book by Norton Juster, from Jan. 26-Feb. 4, 2017 in the Davis Performing Arts Center’s Devine Studio Theatre. The New Yorker has hailed the children’s book—which has never been out of print since its 1961 publication and has been translated into 20 languages—as “a classic…humorous, full of warmth and real invention.” The Guardian described it as “the closest thing we have to a modern Alice in Wonderland.” This production is part of the Davis Performing Arts Center’s 2016-17 “Discover and Celebrate” season.

The story follows a young boy, Milo, who drives his toy car through a magic tollbooth and ends up in the Land of Wisdom. There, he learns of the kingdom’s troubled history: the argument between King Azaz and his brother has led to the banishment of Princesses Sweet Rhyme and Pure Reason to the Land of Ignorance. Milo, along with his colorful companions, is dispatched on a rescue mission to restore peace and prosperity.

Student director Mollie Rodgers (COL ‘17) says, “The Phantom Tollbooth is at its heart about imagination and its transportative qualities. Milo strikes out on a journey of self-discovery and the audience gets to surrender to being part of of this child’s play. In our production we took one step further to explore how a child can filter adult themes through the lens of imagination and transform the big scary outside into a conquerable objective in the imaginative realm. Our Milo begins in an abandoned subway tunnel and pulls characters and adventure from the surroundings.”

Showtimes include the following:

Thursday-Saturday, January 26-28 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, January 28 at 2 p.m.
Wednesday-Saturday, February 1-4 at 8 p.m.

Tickets are $12 general and $8 student. To order, visit performingarts.georgetown.edu or call 202-687-ARTS (2787) Monday through Friday, 3-6 p.m. Georgetown University’s main campus is located at 3700 O St. NW, in Washington, D.C.

The Georgetown University Theater & Performance Studies Program’s Discover and Celebrate season include will conclude with a production of the Pulitzer Prize-finalist play “In the Next Room, or the vibrator play” (March 30-April 6) by Sarah Ruhl, directed by Georgetown University Theater & Performance Studies Program faculty member Prof. Derek Goldman.

View the event page and photo gallery.