Walnut Street Climbs 39 Steps, Opening March 23; David Hess and Joan Hess Are on the Run | Playbill

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News Walnut Street Climbs 39 Steps, Opening March 23; David Hess and Joan Hess Are on the Run Husband and wife David Hess and Joan Hess respectively play Richard Hannay and the women in his life in the Philadelphia premiere of the Hitchcockian comedy The 39 Steps, opening March 23 at Walnut Street Theatre.

Directed by William Roudebush, The 39 Steps is inspired by the Alfred Hitchcock film and John Buchan's story about an innocent man caught up in an international caper. A cast of four tackles multiple roles (including inanimate objects!) in the popular London and Broadway comedy that is now blooming in regional theatres around the world.

David Hess, of the recent Sweeney Todd and Annie Get Your Gun on Broadway, told Playbill.com, "After 15 years of marriage, it's our first production playing opposite each other."

Joan Hess was in the Broadway productions of Kiss Me, Kate; Mamma Mia! (Tanya); Bells Are Ringing, Crazy For You; and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. He appeared as Lt. Frank Cioffi in WST's Curtains, and she was Fernande Olivier in La Vie en Bleu at WST.

Paul Riopelle (Man #1) and Dan Hodge (Man #2) bring to life the additional 100-plus roles, having worked together previously in the Walnut's Independence Studio on 3 production of Travels With My Aunt.

The 39 Steps won an Olivier Award for Best New Comedy, two Tony Awards and two Drama Desk Awards. WST previews began March 15. Performances continue to May 1. The Walnut's production of The 39 Steps is produced in association with Fulton Theatre in Lancaster, PA.

The production team includes set designer Robert Andrew Kovach; lighting designer Paul Black; sound designer Christopher Colucci; and costume designer Colleen Grady.

For tickets and information, call (215) 574-3550 or (800) 982-2787 or visit www.WalnutStreetTheatre.org.

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Joan Hess and David Hess Mark Garvin
 
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