Martha Banta directs John Barlow's adaptation, which is based on the novel by John Buchan and Hitchcock's 1935 film. The 39 Steps will run through Jan. 31 on the Browning Mainstage.

The Rep production features Paul DeBoy as Richard Hannay, Marina Squerciati as Annabella/Pamela/Margaret, with Tyrone Mitchell Henderson and Michael Keyloun as the Men. Throughout the evening the cast portrays over 150 characters.

"In The 39 Steps, a London man with a boring life seeks escape at the theatre, where he meets a woman with a thick accent who says she's a spy," press notes state. "She implores him to take her home with him for safety, where she's later found murdered under shadowy circumstances. Soon, a mysterious organization called 'The 39 Steps' is hot on the man's trail in a nationwide manhunt, during which he must fight to clear his name and stop a spy ring trying to smuggle top secret information out of England. And, of course, along the way he becomes entangled with a head-strong femme fatale who doesn't make his escape any easier."

The design team includes James Wolk (scenic designer), Lou Bird (costume designer), Matt Frey (lighting designer), Mic Pool (sound designer) and Rusty Wandall (associate sound designer).

The 39 Steps is now in its third year in London. The play received its American premiere at the Huntington Theatre Company in Boston in 2007 and transferred to Broadway on Jan. 4, 2008. 39 Steps earned Tony nominations for Best Play and Best Direction, and won honors for Best Lighting and Best Sound Design. It currently plays the Helen Hayes Theatre and is expected to move to New World Stages Off-Broadway in early 2010. For tickets phone (314) 968-4925 or visit The Rep's online box office at RepStl. The Loretto-Hilton Center for the Performing Arts is located at 130 Edgar Road in Webster Groves, MO.