Producer Bob Boyett told the New York Times in November that he was exploring an Off-Broadway life for the show; Broadway's Avenue Q closed in the summer only to stake a claim Off-Broadway in October (earning great reviews all over again).

According to the new casting notice, one of the venues within New World Stages is the target for the Alfred Hitchcock-inspired caper, which boasts a cast of four, with three of the players playing multiple roles. Avenue Q is also housed within the complex.

No official announcement about an Off-Broadway life for The 39 Steps has been made. A spokesman had no comment.

A late March 2010 first preview was mentioned in the casting notice. An April opening is expected.

The 39 Steps will end its Broadway run Jan. 10, 2010.

*

"We think the show still has life in it," Boyett told the Times on Nov. 10.

By the time it closes, the Tony Award-winning staging at the Helen Hayes Theatre will have run a total of 771 performances at three theatres. Its high profile on Broadway helps support a potential future life Off-Broadway, where running costs are much lower.

Moving a show from Broadway to Off-Broadway is a rare occurrence. The musical The Toxic Avenger will close at New World on Jan. 3, making room for The 39 Steps. The Toxic venue is 499 seats; the Hayes is 597 seats.

New World Stages, on 50th Street between Eighth and Ninth Avenues, is considered within the Broadway theatre district.

*

The zany four-actor reinvention of the film by Hitchcock received its American premiere in September 2007 at the Huntington Theatre Company in Boston. The Broadway premiere began previews on Jan. 4, 2008, officially opening on Jan. 15 at Roundabout Theatre Company's American Airlines Theatre. The show moved to the Cort Theatre on April 29, 2008, and then to the Helen Hayes Theatre on Jan. 21, 2009.

Among its 2008 Tony nominations were Best Play and Best Direction. It won Tonys for Best Lighting Design (Kevin Adams) and Best Sound Design (Mic Pool).

The 39 Steps is now in its third year in London. A U.S. national tour kicked off Nov. 5 at the Shubert Theatre in New Haven, following engagements at the La Jolla Playhouse and Seattle Rep. Regional theatres have also announced the play for the upcoming season.

The 39 Steps is based on an original concept by Simon Corble and Nobby Dimon and on the book by John Buchan.

Here's how the producers characterize the madness: "The 39 Steps features a cast of four actors who, against all odds, breathlessly and hilariously attempt to reenact all of the characters, locations and famous scenes in Hitchcock's 1935 film thriller with just a few props and a lot of theatrical ingenuity and split second quick changes."

The current Broadway production stars Arnie Burton (Man #2), Jeffrey Kuhn (Man #1), Sean Mahon (Richard Hannay) and Jill Paice (Annabella Schmidt/Pamela/Margaret). The company also includes Rob Breckenridge, Cameron Folmar and Nisi Sturgis.

Tickets are available from TeleCharge at (212) 239-6200, online at www.telecharge.com and at the Helen Hayes Theatre box office at 240 W. 44th Street.

Performances are Tuesday at 7 PM, Wednesday through Saturday at 8 PM, with matinees Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at 3 PM.

Visit www.39StepsOnBroadway.com.