Gainesville — Stampeding elephants. Raging typhoons. Runaway trains.

Hold onto your seats for the original amazing race as the North Central Texas College Drama department presents “Around the World in 80 Days” on the stage of the First State Bank Center for the Performing Arts in October.

Public performances are set for Oct. 6 at 7:30 p.m., and Oct. 7 at 2:30 p.m. There will also be special field-trip performances for area schools on Oct. 4-5.

The play tells the story of fearless adventurer Phileas Fogg and his faithful manservant Passepartout as the race to beat the clock. Fogg has agreed to an outrageous wager that puts his fortune and his life at risk. Along with his manservant, Fogg sets out to circle the globe in an unheard-of 80 days. But his every step is dogged by a detective who thinks he’s a robber on the run.

Danger, romance, and comic surprises abound in this whirlwind of a show as six actors portraying 39 characters traverse seven continents in Mark Brown’s new adaptation of one of the great adventures of all time.

The ensemble cast includes Nathan Harmon, Kathryn McGinness, Josh Phillips, Ian Spalding, Jacob Wofford and Stephanie Zwinggi. Ashley Elliott is serving as a technical assistant.

Craig Hertel, who is serving of director of the show, says the appeal of this particular play is two-fold.

“First, it tells a great story. The travels of Phileas Fogg are exciting and also show us a great deal about the mind set in England during the Industrial Revolution,” Hertel said. “Second, the way this particular version is written makes for a great deal of fun. The adapter has made it theatrical and fun, and tied things together in a way so that the story flies along. These two things together have made the rehearsal process challenging, but really enjoyable.

“Also, I think this story has a bit of everything. There’s the excitement of the travel, the interest of exotic locations and cultures, there is romance, and there is (especially in this adaptation) bunches of humor. This combination of things has made this show really exciting to work on.”

Hertel says it’s a great feeling to be a guest director at NCTC.

“They are extremely supportive and you know you are working both with great people around you, but also wonderful facilities,” he said. “In addition, I also appreciate a spirit of creativity that resides here. NCTC Theatre has an atmosphere where students and teachers are free to think and experiment, then make the work as strong as we can.”

Hertel admits that a director is only as good as his cast, and he feels fortunate with the group of students that are in this show.

“The style of this play is so interesting and is a fun challenge for a director,” he said. “However, without the right group of actors and technicians, it could fall through. After auditions, I was really relieved because I felt like we had a really strong group of actors to choose from. Since then, the rehearsals have made me feel the same way—I’m glad that they have been not only talented, but dedicated to the needs of the show.”

All tickets for the two public performances will be general admission and are $8 for adults and $5 for youth (high school age or younger). NCTC students will be admitted free with the student ID.

Tickets can be purchased by calling 940-668-3355 Monday through Friday from 1-6 p.m. Tickets can also be purchased at the door before each performance.

The NCTC Performing Arts 2012-13 season is sponsored by First State Bank.