“ABSURDLY ENJOYABLE & GLEEFULLY THEATRICAL!
Director Maria Aitken and a cast of four that seem like thousands
celebrate the art of instant illusion-making that is theater.”
Ben Brantley, NEW YORK TIMES
ALFRED HITCHCOCK’S
THE 39 STEPS
OPENS TOMORROW NIGHT, MAY 8 AT THE CORT THEATRE
Alfred Hitchcock’s THE 39 STEPS, the 2007 Olivier Award-winner for Best New Comedy, reopens on Broadway tomorrow night, Thursday, May 8 at the Cort Theatre (138 West 48th Street, between Sixth and Seventh Avenues). THE 39 STEPS is adapted by Patrick Barlow and directed by Maria Aitken. The production is based on an original concept by Simon Corble and Nobby Dimon and on the book by John Buchan. THE 39 STEPS began previews at the Cort Theatre on Tuesday, April 29, following a critically acclaimed sold out limited engagement at Roundabout Theatre Company’s American Airlines Theatre.
THE 39 STEPS has been nominated for three 2008 Drama Desk Awards including Unique Theatrical Experience, three 2008 Outer Critics Circle Awards, including Outstanding New Broadway Play and Director of a Play (Maria Aitken) and a 2008 Drama League Award for Distinguished Production of a Play.
The production features Arnie Burton (Man #2), Charles Edwards (Richard Hannay), Jennifer Ferrin (Annabella Schmidt/Pamela/Margaret).and Cliff Saunders (Man #1). The company also includes Claire Brownell, Cameron Fulmar and Mark Shanahan. Charles Edwards is appearing with the permission of Actors’ Equity Association. The Producers gratefully acknowledge Actors’ Equity Association for its assistance with this production.
Mix Alfred Hitchcock’s cinematic masterpiece with a juicy spy novel. Then, add the manic dash of vintage Monty Python and you have THE 39 STEPS – equal parts hilarious whodunit, espionage thriller and quick-change comedy, adapted for the stage from Hitchcock’s famous 1935 film and John Buchan’s 1915 novel. Seeking a frivolous night out at the theatre, Richard Hannay is lured into a world of intrigue by a mysterious woman claiming to be a spy. When she winds up dead in his flat, he flees London with the police hot on his trail.
THE 39 STEPS opened to deliriously ecstatic reviews. Ben Brantley, New York Times, called the production, “Absurdly enjoyable! This gleefully theatrical riff on Hitchcock’s film is fast and frothy, performed by a cast of four that seems like a cast of thousands. The actors themselves seem to be having a helluva good time. As does the audience.” Clive Barnes, New York Post, pronounced THE 39 STEPS “Inventively astonishing, riotous & marvelous.” Joe Dziemianowicz, Daily News, exclaimed, “Hitchcock probably never imagined his thriller had the makings of a hilarious comedy, but this show is a dizzy delight and an ingenious spoof, inventively directed by Maria Aitken. A fast-paced fun ride!”
The production features sets and costumes by Peter McKintosh, lighting by Kevin Adams and sound by Mic Pool. Dialect coach is Stephen Gabis. Original movement created by Toby Sedgwick. Additional movement created by Christopher Bayes. Production management is by Aurora Productions. Production stage manager is Nevin Hedley.
THE 39 STEPS has been a runaway hit in London’s West End, playing to sell-out houses at the Criterion where it continues to delight and thrill audiences. The first production of THE 39 STEPS was directed by Fiona Buffini and produced on stage by North Country Theatre in April 1996 at the Georgian Theatre, Richmond, North Yorkshire. THE 39 STEPS received its American debut at Boston’s Huntington Theatre Company. The Broadway premiere production began previews on January 4, 2008 and officially opened on January 15 at Roundabout Theatre Company’s American Airlines Theatre.
THE 39 STEPS is produced by Bob Boyett, Harriet Newman Leve/Ron Nicynski, Stewart F. Lane/Bonnie Comley, Manocherian Golden Prods., Olympus Theatricals/Douglas Denoff, Pam Laudenslager/Pat Addiss, Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director; Harold Wolpert, Managing Director; Julia Levy, Executive Director), Huntington Theatre Company (Nicholas Martin, Artistic Director; Michael Maso, Managing Director) and Edward Snape for Fiery Angel Ltd.
Tickets for THE 39 STEPS are available from TeleCharge at 212-239-6200, online at www.telecharge.com or at the Cort Theatre box office (138 West 48th Street, between Sixth and Seventh Avenues). 39 tickets at $39 are available for every performance. Student Rush tickets are available for $26.50 at the box office two hours prior to the performance. There is a limit of two tickets per valid student ID. The tickets are available for cash only and are subject to availability. Performances are Tuesday at 7:00 PM, Wednesday through Saturday at 8:00 PM, with matinees Wednesday and Saturday at 2:00 PM, Sunday at 3:00 PM.
# # # #
