Maltz Jupiter Theatre Presents THE 39 STEPS 11/1-13

The first play in the Maltz Jupiter Theatre's 2011/12 season, performances of The 39 Steps run November 1 - 13. The cast plays an abundance of different characters in this high-speed tale of an ordinary man on an extraordinarily entertaining adventure.

"The 39 Steps uses ingenious theatrical invention to engage audiences and celebrate the magic of live theater, and we are truly excited about producing the show here in Jupiter," said Andrew Kato, the Theatre's artistic director. "The winner of two Tony® and Drama Desk Awards, the show spent three years delighting audiences on Broadway. We can't wait to show our audiences just how clever this madcap comedy can be."

A classic farce, the story is adapted from the 1915 novel by John Buchan and the 1935 adventure film by Alfred Hitchcock. It follows one man's flight from wrong accusation through a series of improbable, high-speed adventures as he is pursued by the authorities.

The play calls for the film's concept to be performed with a cast of only four, playing heroes, villains, men, women, children and more. This often requires lightning-fast quick changes and occasionally for the performers to play multiple characters at once. Thus, the solemn spy narrative is primarily for laughs, with a script full of allusions to Hitchcock's work.

"The 39 Steps is a trifle; four madcap actors with more moxie than common sense decide to reinvent the classic movie as a stage production, playing all of the parts themselves," said the show's director, Peter Amster. "Sometimes they actually succeed in creating a sense of dash, scope, suspense and wit - which is, of course, is the fun of the piece."

A prominent leader in the theater world, Amster has directed and choreographed productions for professional theatres and opera companies across the nation. Prior to relocating to Florida, he received Joseph Jefferson Award nominations for his direction of four productions in the Chicago area. He has taught theatre, opera and performance studies at Northwestern University, CalArts, Louisiana State University, Columbia College and Roosevelt University.

The New York Times called The 39 Steps "absurdly enjoyable" and the Daily News said it's "a dizzy delight!"

For a special behind-the-scenes peek at the Theatre's show, visit www.jupitertheatre.org/the39steps.

As a special engagement leading up to the show, you won't want to miss the Spy Series presents Spies: Movies vs. Reality on Monday, October 24. Publicly revealing secrets for the first time, prominent espionage author and historian H. Keith Melton takes theatergoers inside the movie The 39 Steps through a dynamic audiovisual presentation and compares its characters' spy craft with that used by today's spies. Showtime is 7:30 p.m., and all tickets are $25.
Tickets are currently on sale for the Theatre's annual series of outstanding concerts, plays, films and children's shows. Also available are single tickets and subscriptions for the Maltz Jupiter Theatre's ninth season of great theater, The Best of Broadway. For tickets, call (561) 575-2223 or visit www.jupitertheatre.org.

About the Maltz Jupiter Theatre
The Maltz Jupiter Theatre is an award-winning professional not-for-profit regional theatre dedicated to the performing arts whose mission is to entertain, educate and inspire our community. The Theatre is a member of the prestigious League of Resident Theatres and is located east of U.S. Highway 1 at 1001 East Indiantown Road and State Road A1A in Jupiter. For more information about the Theatre's upcoming shows and Conservatory of Performing Arts, visit www.jupitertheatre.org or call the box office at (561) 575-2223.

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