THE 39 STEPS Comes To The Alley Theatre's Hubbard Stage

By: Mar. 05, 2010
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Mix a Hitchcock masterpiece with a juicy spy novel, add a dash of Monty Python and you have The 39 Steps, a fast-paced whodunit for anyone who loves the magic of theatre. This two-time Tony and Drama Desk Award-winning treat is packed with nonstop laughs, over 150 eccentric characters - played by a prodigiously talented cast of four - an on-stage plane crash, handcuffs, missing fingers and some good old-fashioned romance. In The 39 Steps, a man with a boring life meets a woman with a thick accent who says she's a spy. When he takes her home, she is murdered. Soon, a mysterious organization called "The 39 Steps" is hot on the man's trail in a nationwide manhunt that climaxes in a death-defying finale. A riotous blend of virtuoso performances and wildly inventive stagecraft, The 39 Steps amounts to an unforgettable evening of pure pleasure. The 39 Steps was the longest running comedy recently on Broadway and is ideal for audiences of all ages.

The 39 Steps, adapted by Patrick Barlow and directed by Mark Shanahan, begins performances Friday, March 5, opens officially Wednesday, March 10 and runs through Sunday, March 28 on the Hubbard Stage.

The 39 Steps is sponsored by Supporting Sponsors Baker Botts LLP and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and Honorary Producers Connie and Roger Plank. The Alley Theatre is supported by the 2009-2010 season sponsor Continental Airlines, the official airline of the Alley Theatre.

The 39 Steps features Alley Theatre Artists Jeffrey Bean, Elizabeth Bunch, John Tyson, and Todd Waite.

The design team for The 39 Steps includes Scenic Design by Hugh Landwehr (Alley's Rock ‘n' Roll, Eurydice, Mrs. Warren's Profession, Cyrano de Bergerac), Costume Design by Alejo Vietti (Alley's Our Town, Rock ‘n' Roll, Mauritius, Eurydice), Lighting Design by Rui Rita (Alley's Sherlock Holmes and the Crucifer of Blood, Eurydice, A Christmas Carol, Cyrano de Bergerac), Sound Design by Ryan Rumery (Alley's Fully Committed), and Dialect Coach Stephen Gabis (Alley's Rock ‘n' Roll, Journey's End, Broadway's The 39 Steps).

TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets to The 39 Steps start at $21. All tickets to The 39 Steps are available for purchase at www.alleytheatre.org, at the Alley Theatre Box Office, 615 Texas Avenue, or by calling 713.220.5700. Groups of 10 or more can receive special concierge services and select discounts by calling 713.315.3346. The added convenience of reservations by phone or Internet is available for a nominal fee. Tickets purchased in person at the Alley Theatre Box Office have a $1 building restoration fee.

THE CENTER FOR SUCCESS AND INDEPENDENCE $10 TIX
Saturday, March 6, 2:30 PM
The Alley Theatre continues its efforts to make the theatre affordable to patrons. Partnering with other social non-profit organizations, the Alley seeks to generate in-kind donations and reward patrons with $10 Tix for the matinee performance. The $10 Tix are available in person, the day of the performance only and are limited to two tickets per person. Purchase in person at the box office (615 Texas Ave.) on the day of the performance only. Cash or check only. Limited availability. Bring donations of boys and girls athletic socks or solid-colored t-shirts.

CAPTIONED AND AUDIO DESCRIBED PERFORMANCE
Saturday, March 6, 2:30 PM
The Alley Theatre is pleased to offer open captioning and audio description for many of our productions throughout the season. To ensure that your seats will accommodate your needs, please call the box office 713.220.5700 when ordering tickets to this performance. Discounted tickets are available for groups of ten or more. Call 713.315.3346 for more information.

CLUB 615
Thursday, March 11, 6:15 - 7:15 PM
Starting at 6:15 PM at 615 Texas in the Alley Theatre, Club 615 is a new pre-curtain mixer for young professionals. Enjoy a fabulous pre-performance reception with music, socializing, complimentary cocktails and appetizers, and specially priced theatre tickets. A-section seats are $35 and B-section seats are $25. This pre-curtain event is free with your ticket to the Thursday, March 11, 7:30 PM performance of The 39 Steps, but must be purchased for the performance using the promo code: Club615.

ACTOUT
Thursday, March 18, 6:00 - 7:15 PM
Houston's premiere theatre group for gay and lesbian theatre fans and their friends celebrate the Alley Theatre's production of The 39 Steps. To find out more visit www.alleytheatre.org. For tickets call 713.220.5700 and mention "ActOUT." Participants must have a ticket to the performance in order to attend this pre-show event. This pre-curtain event is free with your ticket to the Thursday, March 18, 7:30 PM performance of The 39 Steps, but must be purchased for the performance using the promo code: ActOUT.

TALKBACK
Saturday, March 13, 2:30 PM
Tuesday, March 16, 7:30 PM
Members of the cast return to the stage following the performance to take questions from the audience. TalkBacks are led by a member of the Alley Artistic Staff.

PAGES & STAGES
Tuesday, March 16, 6:15 - 7:15 PM
Alley Theatre is pleased to partner with the Houston Public Library for this new pre-curtain event. The perfect evening for the book worm in every theatre buff, this event combines the imagination of the written word with the excitement of live theatre. Patrons read a book that has been specially selected to complement each Hubbard Stage production, then enjoy a pre-curtain discussion group and then attend the performance. For The 39 Steps, the selected reading is The 39 Steps by John Buchan. Light refreshments will be served. After the performance, readers can stay for an additional Talk Back led by Alley artistic staff. This pre-curtain event is free with your ticket to the Tuesday, March 16, 7:30 PM performance of The 39 Steps.

 

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