THE 39 STEPS Comes to BLUEBARN Theatre, Now thru 6/15

The BLUEBARN Theatre continues its 2012-2013 Season with The 39 Steps adapted by playwright Patrick Barlow from the novel by John Buchan from the movie of Alfred Hitchcock. which opens tonight, May 9th and runs through Saturday June 15th. BLUEBARN Producing Artistic Director Susan Clement-Toberer directs, with scenic design by Martin Scott Marchitto, costumes by Lindsay Pape, lighting design by Carol Wisner, sound design by Miles Polaski and Martin Magnuson, and properties design by Amy Reiner.

Shows run Thursdays-Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays May 19th and June 2nd at 6 p.m. There is no show on Thursday, May 16th. Ticket prices are $25 for adults; and $20 for students, seniors 65+, TAG members, and groups of 10 or more.

The show features Omaha actors Ben Beck, Bill Grennan, Kirsten Kluver, and Ablan Roblin. The playwright, Patrick Barlow, credits the original concept of producing the play with just four actors to two British writers, Simon Corble and Nobby Dimon.

Mix a 1930's Hitchcock masterpiece with a juicy, adventurous spy novel - add the flair of film noir and a dash of Monty Python and you have an unforgettable evening of pure pleasure. Packed with nonstop laughs, over 150 characters, an on-stage plane crash and some good old-fashioned romance, The 39 Steps is a riotous blend of virtuoso performances and wildly inventive stagecraft that's guaranteed to thrill.

Ben Beck returns to The BLUEBARN's stage as Richard Hannay, The 39 Steps' protagonist, a London aristocrat looking for adventure. Mr. Beck's most recent work onstage was last November playing the role of Jules in the Omaha Community Playhouse's production of "boom." Previous roles include Booth in "Assassins", Orsino in "Twelfth Night," and Clarke in "Gross Indecency," at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. Ben has also played Himself in "Every Christmas Story Ever Told (and then some)," Ralph in "Reefer Madness," and Jason in "Wit," at The BLUEBARN Theatre, and multiple roles in "Almost, Maine" at The Omaha Community Playhouse.

Equity actor Bill Grennan portrays Clown 1, and assumes new characters and personas constantly as this fast-paced comedic marathon progresses from one wild scene to the next. Mr. Grennan recently performed the role of Dr. Jason Posner in "Wit" at The American Stage Theatre in Florida, and has previously appeared onThe BLUEBARN stage in "Spring Awakening" and "Every Christmas Story Ever Told (and then some)." Other credits include Hunter in the hit musical [title of show] with The Candy Project (TAG Award - Best Lead Actor in a Musical), Nick in "dark play or stories for boys" (FAUST Award - Best Lead Actor), Sid in the world premiere of "Hippie Doctor," and Narrator 1 in "Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde," all at The University of Nebraska - Omaha.

BLUEBARN veteran Kirsten Kluver plays the roles of Annabella Schmidt , Pamela and Margaret, each a shape-shifting person of interest in this mind-bending tale of mayhem. Ms. Kluver last performed on The BLUEBARN's stage as Woman C in Edward Albee's "Three Tall Women." She also appeared as Adelaide in "Guys and Dolls" (Mary Peckham Award, TAG award, OEA award) and Roxie in "Chicago" at The Omaha Community Playhouse (Mary Peckham Award), and The Angel in "Angels in America" (TAG award) with SNAP!

Ablan Roblin is making his BLUEBARN debut as Clown 2, cohort of Clown 1, morphing character as frequently as his sidesplitting, mercurial compatriot. Mr. Roblin has most recently been in "A Christmas Carol" and "Hairspray" at The Omaha Community Playhouse. Ablan has performed as an improv actor and workshop director for The Redding Improv Players, and directed several productions in Redding, California, where he lived prior to moving to Omaha.

The BLUEBARN Theatre has been bringing professionally-produced plays to area audiences since its inception in 1989. Since that time, BLUEBARN has produced over 100 plays and has established itself as Omaha's premier Contemporary Theatre company. Striving to bring artistically significant scripts and professional production values to Omaha and the surrounding region, BLUEBARN is known for high- quality entertainment and the fearless pursuit of stories that challenge both theatre artists and patrons. The BLUEBARN is currently raising significant funds to construct its future home at 10th & Pacific Streets in 2014, and will be celebrating its 25th season in the fall of 2013.

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