Playbill News: Series of 39 Steps Events Will Punctuate September

Series of 39 Steps Events Will Punctuate September

By Kenneth Jones
August 27, 2008

Producers of Broadway's quick-change, fast-paced comedy The 39 Steps, at the Cort Theatre, announced a series of September events meant to enhance enjoyment of the show, inspired by director Alfred Hitchcock's 1935 film.

Winner of two Tony Awards, two Drama Desk Awards and the 2007 Olivier Award for Best New Comedy, The 39 Steps is the small-cast adventure-comedy with three of four actors performing an entire population of characters in madcap style.

The show is adapted by Patrick Barlow and directed by Maria Aitken. The production is based on an original concept by Simon Corble and Nobby Dimon and on the book by John Buchan.

The comedy is playing at the Cort Theatre (138 W. 48th Street) and features Arnie Burton (Man #2), Jennifer Ferrin (Annabella Schmidt/Pamela/Margaret), Sam Robards (Richard Hannay) and Cliff Saunders (Man #1). The company also includes Rob Breckenridge, Claire Brownell and Cameron Folmar.

The events for the so-called "Hitchcock Month" include:

How Do You Mock Hitchcock? - A Film Contest Co-Sponsored by the New York Film Academy. "Create an original film short that is based on a Hitchcock film or scene and spin it into a satire. Look back at some of your favorite Hitchcock clips and make it funny. If you need inspiration, check out clips from Broadway's The 39 Steps at www.39StepsOnBroadway.com. Submit your video entry on our YouTube Channel www.youtube.com/ The39StepsOnBroadway between Aug. 27 and Sept. 20. The top 10 videos will be on The 39 Steps website through Sept. 30h and voted on by a panel of professional judges. Judging will be based on originality, creativity, and attention to rules and regulations."

"The 39 Steps" (screening of the 1935 film) at BAMcinématek, Sept. 5-11. "BAMcinématek will screen a newly struck print of Alfred Hitchcock's marvelously entertaining 1935 thriller — arguably his finest British film. The original 1935 film stars Robert Donat as Richard Hannay, an innocent man on the run from a murder he didn't commit, as he is pursued by the police and a mysterious spy ring." Visit http://www.bam.org/view.aspx?pid=357 for more information.

The Paley Center for Media (Screenings of TV's "Alfred Hitchcock Presents"), Sept. 18 at 6 PM, at 25 W. 52nd Street. "An evening with the mysterious Alfred Hitchcock and the supremely talented cast of Broadway's two-time Tony Award-winning comedy, The 39 Steps. As the ringmaster of his own weekly anthology series in the 1950s and 60s, Alfred Hitchcock parlayed a successful film career into global fame, forever linking his name to tales of mystery, suspense and intrigue. Join us to meet the cast of The 39 Steps and enjoy celebrated episodes of the classic television series 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents.'" Visit www.PaleyCenter.org.

Calling All Hitchcocks – Look-A-Like Contest. "The 39 Steps is in search of individuals with the character and appearance of Alfred Hitchcock. Submit a photo of yourself as Alfred Hitchcock to www.39StepsOnBroadway.com. Finalists will be invited to attend a performance of The 39 Steps on Broadway, with a winner to be selected by the audience. (Travel to New York City is not provided). Finalists will also be able to attend an exclusive cast party." Visit www.39StepsOnBroadway.com for more information.

"Hitchcock On Stage" Dialogue at Borders Bookstore. "The men of The 39 Steps will step off stage and into Borders Bookstore at Columbus Circle on Sept. 22 (6-7 PM) to talk about translating Hitchcock's mystery into a riotously funny quick-change comedy. Meet Arnie Burton, Sam Robards and Cliff Saunders, at the Borders to hear all about the backstage world of Broadway's The 39 Steps."

What is The 39 Steps? "Mix Alfred Hitchcock's cinematic masterpiece with a juicy spy novel. Then, add the manic dash of vintage Monty Python and you have The 39 Steps — equal parts hilarious whodunit, espionage thriller and quick-change comedy, adapted for the stage from Hitchcock's famous 1935 film and John Buchan's 1915 novel.

"Seeking a frivolous night out at the theatre, Richard Hannay is lured into a world of intrigue by a mysterious woman claiming to be a spy. When she winds up dead in his flat, he flees London with the police hot on his trail."

The production features sets and costumes by Peter McKintosh, lighting by Kevin Adams and sound by Mic Pool. Dialect coach is Stephen Gabis. Original movement created by Toby Sedgwick. Additional movement created by Christopher Bayes. Production management is by Aurora Productions. Production stage manager is Nevin Hedley. The 39 Steps is produced by Bob Boyett, Harriet Newman Leve/Ron Nicynski, Stewart F. Lane/Bonnie Comley, Manocherian Golden Prods., Olympus Theatricals/Douglas Denoff, Pam Laudenslager/Pat Addiss, Tim Levy/Remmel T. Dickinson, Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, artistic director; Harold Wolpert, managing director; Julia Levy, executive director), Huntington Theatre Company (Nicholas Martin, artistic director; Michael Maso, managing director) and Edward Snape for Fiery Angel Ltd.

Tickets are available from TeleCharge at (212) 239-6200, online at www.telecharge.com or at the Cort Theatre box office (138 West 48th Street, between Sixth and Seventh Avenues).

Thirty-nine tickets at $39 are available at every performance. Performances are Tuesday at 7 PM, Wednesday through Saturday at 8 PM, with matinees Wednesday and Saturday at 2 PM, Sunday at 3 PM.