Boston-based actor Russell Garrett has found a second home in Rhode Island. Theatre home, that is.

The California native became interested in the theatre at a very young age.

“I used to watch my older sister perform in her school plays, and the acting bug hit me,” he told me before rehearsals for “Around the World in 80 Days,” playing at Warwick’s Ocean State Theatre November 6-22.

“I started college at San Diego State University, but I kept dropping out as I got parts that took me on the road,” he said. “I decided to stay in New York City and loved acting. I also found that I loved directing and choreographing.”

Garrett spent four years running the now closed Foothills Theatre in Worcester. He had lunch one day with Amiee Turner in 2010 and ended up directing “The Full Monty” at Theatre-by-the-Sea.

“When Amiee moved on to open OSTC she brought me along, and I have been involved with the theatre ever since,” he said.

At OSTC he has directed “Legally Blonde,” Guys and Dolls” and “Gypsy and played the director in “42nd Street.” He is also in his fifth year playing Bob Cratchitt in North Shore Theatre’s “A Christmas Carol.”

“After 35 years [in the business] I depend on what opportunities present themselves,” Garrett. “I love to direct. Putting together all the elements is very rewarding. Working with the different actors, especially a good mix of veterans and those who are up and coming, gives me a chance to see the total picture.”

“’Around the World’ is a fun play. I play the main character, Phileas Fogg,” he said. “The other four actors play 39 different roles. We use props and backdrops and lots of imagination to convince the audience that we are traveling by a variety of modes from place to place over seven continents.”

The comic takes on the epic novel by Jules Verne provides fun for the entire family and is a wonderful way to introduce theatre to children. There are danger, romance, adventure and comic surprises in this delightful production, which runs November 6-22 at Ocean State Theatre Company in Warwick.

For tickets, ranging from $30 to $59, call 921-6800 or go online at www.oceanstatetheatre.org.