Charles Edwards, who played the role of Richad Hannay to great acclaim in the London cast, will repeat his work for Broadway audiences. He will be joined onstage by Arnie Burton (Clown), Jennifer Ferrin (Pamela/Margaret) and Cliff Saunders (Clown). (This same cast starred in the recent Boston run at the Huntington Theatre Company.)
Maria Aitken, director of the original London production, will stage the work in New York. Originally scheduled to begin previews Dec. 28 and open Jan. 10, the limited engagement will now commence Jan. 4, 2008, open Jan. 15 and run through March 23.
Patrick Barlow's stage adaptation of The 39 Steps is based on an original concept by Simon Corble and Nobby Dimon and the novel penned by John Buchan in 1915. The work was adapted for the big screen for the Alfred Hitchcock 1935 film.
The 39 Steps "revolves around an innocent man who learns too much about a dangerous spy ring and is then pursued across Scotland, before returning to London to foil the villain's dastardly plans," according to show notes. "The 39 Steps contains every single legendary scene from the award-winning movie — including the chase on the Flying Scotsman, the escape on the Forth Bridge, the first theatrical bi-plane crash ever staged and the sensational death-defying finale in the London Palladium."
The design team includes Peter McKintosh (sets and costumes), Kevin Adams (lights) and Mic Pool (sound). The work was originally seen onstage by North Country Theatre in April 1996 at the Georgian Theatre, Richmond, North Yorkshire. The show played 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.
Roundabout Theatre Company in association with Bob Boyett, Harriet Leve/Ron Nicynski, Fiery Angel Ltd. and the Huntington Theatre Company will present the New York premiere of the acclaimed work.
Show times will be Tuesday-Saturday at 8 PM with matinees Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at 2 PM.
Tickets to The 39 Steps (priced $51.25-$96.25) at the American Airlines Theatre, 227 West 42nd Street, will be available in November by calling (212) 719-1300 or by visiting roundabouttheatre.org.
