THE 39 STEPS Comes to Lakewood Theatre Company, 7/11-8/17
By: Courtnie Mele Jun. 20, 2014
Four actors play over 100 characters in this Tony-winner that kept Broadway rollicking for three years. It is part juicy spy novel, part Monty Python comedy, and preserves the brilliance originally created by the master of suspense.
Written by Patrick Barlow, Lakewood's production of The 39 Steps is directed by Don Alder. The show opens Friday, July 11 and continues until August 17 with the following performance schedule: Thursdays - Saturdays at 7:30 PM, Sundays at 7:00 PM (July 13, 20 and 27) and Sunday matinees at 2:00 PM (July 20, August 3, 10 and 17) and one Wednesday performance, July 23 at 7:30 PM. The show sponsor is The Lakewood Center Associates.
Special note: At the Wednesday, July 23 performance the theatre continues a new program called WOW: 25-35. For people 35 and under tickets are priced at $25 each. One hour prior to performance there will be a complimentary wine tasting hosted by World Class Wines. Come enjoy Wine on Wednesday (WOW) paired with discounted show tickets. The theatre is located at Lakewood Center for the Arts, 368 S. State St. in Lake Oswego. Ticket prices are $32 for adults and $30 for seniors. Additional discounts are available for groups and students. For additional information and tickets, call the Lakewood Box Office at (503) 635-3901 or order online at www.lakewood-center.org.
The story: Suave hero Richard Hannay (Leif Norby) learns about a plot of international espionage from a beautiful spy. The woman, however, is killed in Hannay's flat and he finds himself wrongly accused of her murder. Suddenly, he finds himself caught up in a race from London to Scotland in hopes of stopping military secrets from being smuggled out of the country. Through a string of far-fetched adventures, he is pursued by the authorities and a villainous man missing the tip of his little finger. Three of the female roles will be played by Olivia Shimkus, while the remaining multitude of characters (spies, policemen, inn keepers, traveling salesmen, etc.) are played by just two actors (Todd Hermanson and Alex Fox).
About the play: The 39 Steps was originally written as a thriller by John Buchan in 1915 and adapted for the big screen by Alfred Hitchcock in 1935. Playwright Patrick Barlow reimagined the story's rollicking adventure with four actors playing more than 100 roles. He turned the melodrama into a Monty Python-style comedy with deliberately late sound cues, entrances and scene changes; and actors playing multiple roles even in the same scene.
Leading the artistic team is Director Don Alder who says the play is much like a roller coaster full of twists and turns and just plain delightful fun. Scenic design is by Chris Whitten, costume design is by Elizabeth Huffman and lighting design is by Kurt Herman. The stage manager is Felix Kelsey, hair design is by Jane Holmes, technical director is Kurt Herman, sound design is by Marcus Storey, properties are by Felix Kelsey and the producer is Kay Vega.
"This gleefully theatrical riff on Hitchcock's film is fast and frothy, performed by a cast of four that seems like a cast of thousands. The actors themselves seem to be having a helluva good time. As does the audience." - The New York Post "Hitchcock probably never imagined his thriller had the makings of a hilarious comedy, but this show is a dizzy delight and an ingenious spoof." - Daily NewVideos
