Edwards & Cast Announced for Roundabout's 'The 39 Steps'

The 39 Steps will have its Broadway premiere at Roundabout Theatre Company's American Airlines Theatre, with previews beginning January 4, 2008 and opening night January 10, 2008.  The Broadway cast will be led by Charles Edwards who reprises the role of Richard Hannay which he played to great acclaim in the London production.  Edwards is joined by Arnie Burton (Clown), Jennifer Ferrin (Pamela/Margaret) and Cliff Saunders (Clown).  The limited engagement will play through March 16.

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

"Patrick Barlow's comic adaptation of John Buchan's classic spy thriller has been adapted into a hilarious spoof of the book and the Hitchcock film.  The 'unstageable' thriller is staged, with four cast members playing a minimum of 150 roles.  The story revolves around an innocent man who learns too much about a dangerous spy ring and is then pursued across Scotland, before returning to London to foil the villain's dastardly plans.  The 39 Steps contains every single legendary scene from the award-winning movie – including the chase on the Flying Scotsman, the escape on the Forth Bridge, the first theatrical bi-plane crash ever staged and the sensational death-defying finale in the London Palladium," declares press notes.

The 39 Steps has been playing to sell-out houses at the West End's Criterion since its September 2006 transfer from the Tricycle Theatre, 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.

Prior to the Broadway premiere, the production will receive its American debut at the Huntington Theatre Company in Boston, MA from September 14 to October 14. 

The 39 Steps will play Tuesday through Saturday at 8PM with Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2PM.  Tickets will be available by phone at 212-719-1300, online at www.roundabouttheatre.org or at the American Airlines Theatre (227 West 42nd St).  For more information on the London production of The 39 Steps visit: www.love39steps.com

Photo: Charles Edwards in the original cast of The 39 Steps, reprises his role in the up-coming Roundabout Theatre Company production