Michael Evan Haney directs the production, which launches the 79th season at Westport and plays through May 9.

Shanahan, who has appeared in the Westport productions of Tryst and Sedition, as well as Broadway's 39 Steps, stars as Phileas Fogg, who according to press notes, "wagers that he can travel around the world in 80 days or less. With his loyal valet Passepartout, he undertakes the amazing journey — complete with elephants, steamboats and trains. But the relentless Detective Fix is on his trail, believing that Fogg robbed the Bank of England."

The cast of the Westport production also features Evan Zes as Passepartout, Jeff Biehl as Detective Fix, Andrew Grusetskie and Lauren Elise McCord.

Designing Around the World are Joseph Tilford (scenic design), David K. Mickelsen (costume design), Betsy Adams (lighting design) and David Andrew Levy (sound design) with original music by Mark Parenti and sound effects by Foley artists Elizabeth Helitzer and Mark Parenti.

Tickets, ranging $30-$55, are available by calling (203) 227-4177 or by visiting www.westportplayhouse.org.