Comic Caper 39 Steps Returns to NYC at Off-Broadway's New World Stages

By Kenneth Jones
25 Mar 2010

John Behlmann and Kate MacCluggage
John Behlmann and Kate MacCluggage

The fast-paced comic thriller The 39 Steps makes the leap from Broadway to Off-Broadway on March 25 with the production's first preview at New World Stages in the midtown theatre district. John Behlmann plays innocent man Richard Hannay, with Cameron Folmar, Jamie Jackson and Kate MacCluggage as multi-taskers who play a population of characters.

Opening night at New World Stages – Stage 1 (340 West 50th Street between Eighth and Ninth Avenue) is April 15.

This move — the creative team and scenic elements are the same, but the cast is new — marks the fourth New York home for the Tony Award-winning comedy that first dawned in England. (It's also one of two high-profile moves of Broadway shows to Off-Broadway since fall 2009; Tony winner Avenue Q is also now at New World Stages.)

Broadway's The 39 Steps began performances on Jan. 4, 2008, and opened Jan. 15, 2008, at Roundabout Theatre Company's American Airlines Theatre. The production then moved to the Cort Theatre and Helen Hayes Theatre, playing for over two years and 771 performances, the longest run of any Broadway play in seven years. Its final performance at the Hayes was Jan. 10.

According to the producers, "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."

For the record, the zany show received its American premiere in September 2007 by Huntington Theatre Company in Boston. Adapted by Patrick Barlow and directed by Maria Aitken, The 39 Steps is based on an original concept by Simon Corble and Nobby Dimon and on the book by John Buchan.

Set and costume design is by Peter McKintosh, lighting design is by Kevin Adams and sound design is by Mic Pool. Original movement was created by Toby Sedgwick. Additional movement is created by Christopher Bayes. Production stage manager is Nevin Hedley.

Behlmann appeared in Broadway's Journey's End and Off-Broadway's Ghosts for the Pearl Theatre Company. Folmar (Man #2) was in Broadway's The 39 Steps. He originated Candy Delaney in Five by Tenn at Manhattan Theatre Club.

Cameron Folmar and Jamie Jackson
Jamie Jackson (Man #1) appeared in the national tour of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. MacCluggage (Annabella Schmidt/Pamela/Margaret) was in the company of Broadway's The Farnsworth Invention. The company also includes Greg Jackson and Jane Pfitsch.

The 39 Steps is produced by Bob Boyett, Harriet Newman Leve, Jane Dubin, Richard Winkler/Dan Frishwasser, Pamela Laudenslager/Douglas Denoff, Olympus Theatricals, Tim Levy/Jennifer Isaacson, Manocherian Productions, Stewart F. Lane/Bonnie Comley, Remmel T. Dickinson, True Love Productions, Kevin Lyle, Marek J. Cantor, Lary Brandt/Meredith Lucio/Probo Productions, in association with Roundabout Theatre Company, Huntington Theatre Company and Edward Snape for Fiery Angel Ltd.

Tickets ($89.50–69.50) are available through Telecharge at (212) 239-6200 or online at www.telecharge.com. Student rush is available for $27.50. All prices include a $1.50 facility fee.

Performances play Monday, Wednesday–Friday at 8 PM, Saturday at 3 PM and 8 PM, Sunday at 3 PM and 7 PM. Visit www.39StepsNY.com.