Around the World in 80 Days

When I was little, I was obsessed with this mini-series on TV starring Pierce Brosnan as Phileas Fogg in Around the World in 80 Days based on one of my favorite books by Jules Verne.  In part 2 Phileas meets, who I thought was the most beautiful Indian princess, Aouda (played by Julia Nickson).  I was in awe.  She was so beautiful, so graceful (and was always draped in a silk sari); when watching her I would only dream of being her.  It was just a pipe dream. 

It's been 25 years since I first saw Aouda and I've watched her countless times since.  Somehow even after my transition, I never thought the chance to be her would ever come to fruition.  She was graceful and stunning, and I am clumsy and frazzled on my best days.  Plus, I'm not getting any younger.  I had heard about a popular play by Mark Brown based on Verne's novels that was making its rounds in theatre companies across the country, so naturally I was thrilled to hear that Village Theatre, a professional theatre company in the Seattle area, was planning on producing it for the 14-15 season.  I knew I had to get an audition somehow.

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