39 Steps Celebrates 100th Performance At Cort Theatre 8/2

Alfred Hitchcock's THE 39 STEPS, winner of two Tony Awards, two Drama Desk Awards and the 2007 Olivier Award for Best New Comedy, will celebrate its 100th performance at the Cort Theatre tomorrow evening, Saturday, August 2.   The critically acclaimed Broadway production originally opened on January 15, 2008 at Roundabout Theatre Company's American Airlines Theatre, where it played through March 29.  The show moved to the Cort on April 29 and officially reopened on May 8.    

THE 39 STEPS 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 show 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.

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.   

Ben Brantley, New York Times, called THE 39 STEPS, "Absurdly enjoyable!  This gleefully theatrical riff on Hitchcock's film is fast and frothy, performed by a cast of four that seems like a cast of thousands.  The actors themselves seem to be having a helluva good time.  As does the audience."   Clive Barnes, New York Post, pronounced THE 39 STEPS. "Inventively astonishing, riotous & marvelous."  Joe Dziemianowicz, Daily News, exclaimed, "Hitchcock probably never imagined his thriller had the makings of a hilarious comedy, but this show is a dizzy delight and an ingenious spoof, inventively directed by Maria Aitken. A fast-paced fun ride!"

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 has been a runaway hit in London's West End, playing to sell-out houses at the Criterion where it continues to delight and thrill audiences.  The first production of THE 39 STEPS was directed by Fiona Buffini and produced on stage by North Country Theatre in April 1996 at the Georgian Theatre, Richmond, North Yorkshire.  THE 39 STEPS received its American debut at the Huntington Theatre Company in Boston, MA., from September 14, 2007-October 14, 2007.

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).   39 tickets at $39 are available at every performance.  Performances are Tuesday at 7:00 PM, Wednesday through Saturday at 8:00 PM, with matinees Wednesday and Saturday at 2:00 PM, Sunday at 3:00 PM.  

Photo Credit Joan Marcus