Maria Aitken, director of the original London production, returns for the New England run opening Sept. 19 at the Boston University Theatre. Performances play to Oct. 14.

Patrick Barlow's adaptation of The 39 Steps is based on the best-selling novel penned by John Buchan in 1915 and then adapted for the big screen for the Alfred Hitchcock 1935 film. The 39 Steps is billed as "a hilarious whodunit, part espionage thriller and part slapstick comedy."

"Shots ring out across a crowded theatre and Richard Hannay is lured into a world of intrigue by a mysterious woman claiming to be a spy," according to Huntington. "When she winds up dead in his flat, he flees London with the police and a secret organization – called The 39 Steps – hot on his trail."

The four actors playing more than 150 roles will feature original London star Charles Edwards (as Richard Hannay), Jennifer Ferrin (as Annabella, Pamela and Margaret) with Cliff Saunders and Arnie Burton as the clowns.

The Roundabout Theatre Company in association with Bob Boyett, Harriet Leve/Ron Nicynski, Stephanie P. McClelland, Fiery Angel Ltd. and the Huntington will next present the work on Broadway. Aitken directs the New York run starting Dec. 28 and opening Jan. 10, 2008 for a limited engagement through March 16. The work was originally seen onstage by North Country Theatre in April 1996 at the Georgian Theatre, Richmond, North Yorkshire. The show played in London's Tricycle Theatre in 2006 and then transferred to the West End's Criterion Theatre and earned the 2007 Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Comedy.

Tickets to The 39 Steps at the Huntington's B. U. Theatre, 264 Huntington Ave. in Boston, MA, are available by phone at (617) 266-0800 or online at www.huntingtontheatre.org.