Original Broadway Star to Reprise Role in THE 39 STEPS Off-Broadway; Complete Cast Announced!

Producer Douglas Denoff, in association with Fiery Angel, London, announced today that original Broadway cast member Arnie Burton will reprise his role of Clown #2, and will be joined by Billy Carter as Clown #1, Broadway vet Robert Petkoff as the dashing hero Richard Hannay, and recent Juilliard grad Brittany Vicars who will make her New York City stage debut as Pamela/Annabella/Margaret, in the two-time Tony Award winning hilarious hit comedy 39 Steps. The production, featuring the entire original creative team, will begin an open-ended run at the Union Square Theatre (100 East 17th Street) beginning April Fools' Day, Wednesday, April 1st, and will officially open on Monday, April 13th.

"I am thrilled to return to 39 Steps," said original Broadway cast member Arnie Burton. "I can honestly say I never tired of doing the show. As a shy kid growing up in Arizona, I loved three things: old black and white movies, the theatre, and 'The Carol Burnett Show.' For a character actor, it doesn't get much better than 39 Steps!"

Adapted by Tony nominated author Patrick Barlow from an original concept by Simon Corble and Nobby Dimon, and based on the book by John Buchan and the classic 1935 Alfred Hitchcock film, 39 Steps features Tony nominated direction by Mari Aitken, Tony winning lighting design by Kevin Adams, Tony winning sound design by Mic Pool, and Tony nominated scenic and costume design by Peter McKintosh.

39 Steps is a comedic spoof of the classic 1935 film, with only 4 "insanely talented" actors portraying more than 150 characters, sometimes changing roles in the blink of an eye. The brilliantly madcap story follows our dashing hero Richard Hannay (Robert Petkoff) as he races to solve the mystery of The 39 Steps, all the while trying to clear his name. The show's uproarious fast-paced 100 minutes promises to leave you gasping for breath... in a good way! It's fun for everyone from 9 to 99.

Originally premiering in 2005 at the West Yorkshire Playhouse in England, 39 Steps went on to wow London audiences in 2006 at the Tricycle Theatre before transferring to the West End's Criterion Theatre, where it is still playing in its 9th smash year, quickly approaching its 3500th performance. The production, and Patrick Barlow, went on to receive the 2007 Olivier Award for Best Comedy, and has since been seen across the globe, from Melbourne and Madrid to Tel Aviv, Seoul, Tokyo and Buenos Aires. In North America, it is one of the top ten licenses shows in regional theatres.

39 Steps came to Broadway in January 2008 and ran over three years, playing a record-breaking 1,135 performance - the longest running play in 7 years. It received six 2008 Tony nominations, including Patrick Barlow for Best Play, winning two for Sound Design and Lighting Design, and three Drama Desk Nominations, winning two including Unique Theatrical Experience.

39 Steps will play the following performance schedule: Mondays at 7:00 PM, Wednesdays at 2:00PM and 8:00 PM, Thursdays and Fridays at 8:00 PM, Saturdays at 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM, and Sundays at 3:00 PM. Tickets for the show are now on sale via www.39StepsNY.com, thru Ticketmaster online and by phone at 1-877-250-2929, and also, starting March 25, in person at the Union Square Theatre box office, which opens at 1PM daily except Tuesdays and remains open until 30 minutes after show time. Tickets are priced at $39-89. Premium seats are $105. $20 tickets for students, veterans, armed forces, NYPD and FDNY are available in person at the box office with ID the day of the show.

For more information, visit www.39StepsNY.com.

Photo by Walter McBride