REVIEW: Repertory Theatre of St. Louis Presents Hilarious 'Tour De Farce' with Their Production of THE 39 STEPS

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis opens 2010 with a brilliant adaptation of director Alfred Hitchcock's classic of the silver screen, The 39 Steps. Patrick Barlow's script based on Simon Corble and Nobby Dimon's original conception (as well as John Buchan's novel and Hitchcock's amazing film) utilizes the services of a mere four actors to carry the action of this purposely convoluted plot, which not only requires a great deal of talent, but also a certain degree of speed in order pull off all of the tricky transitions that occur. This witty "tour de farce" is a non-stop laugh riot, performed by a game and terrific cast that keeps the hilarity flowing from start to finish.

As the play opens, transplanted Canadian Richard Hannay is complaining about the sheer boredom of his existence, completely unaware that a close encounter with the mysterious Annabelle Schmidt is about to change his circumstance. Prior to her murder in his London flat, she passes on some cryptic information about espionage involving British military secrets that he hopes to use to clear his name. Fleeing for his life, he embarks on a journey to Scotland with the police in hot pursuit. Hannay is determined to find out the truth about "the 39 steps" that Schmidt makes mention of before her unexpected departure. His sudden embrace of a stranger named Pamela, while attempting to fool officers searching on a train for the missing suspect, initially brings forth the expected indignant reaction from her, but when they end up handcuffed together she becomes a reluctant, but compliant accomplice.

Paul DeBoy gives a thoroughly engaging performance as Richard Hannay. He has the right, light approach to the material, and ably carries the action which centers around his character's plight. His unflappably calm reactions to the wacky machinations of the plot, as well as to the frenzied flurry of his fellow actors switching between roles, is a joy to behold.

Marina Squerciati excels in three scene-stealing parts as: Annabelle, an intriguing brunette with a comically askew German accent; Pamela, a delicate blond unaccustomed to her brusk treatment by Hannay; and a shy redheaded farmer's wife named Margaret, who's immediately smitten with the Londoner. Squerciati nearly brings down the house with her splendid comedic timing, and she manages to make each of her characterizations unique and memorable. Her interplay with DeBoy in her various guises is priceless.

Michael Keyloun and Tyrone Mitchell Henderson are responsible for everyone else in the cast, and they also act as stagehands, moving all the furniture and props in place for each of the scenes. Both are wonderful, milking their moments for as many laughs as they can, and endearing themselves in the process. Henderson's best moments come as "Mr. Memory", a music hall act that plays a pivotal part in this intricate plot, but he's consistently amusing throughout. Keyloun is equally up to task, but mines comic gold as the villainous, and digitally-challenged, Professor Jordan. A bit where they play a pair of policemen interviewing the owners of an inn is a clever piece of quick-change humor.

Martha Banta's direction is exceptional, keeping the action, and the actors, moving along at a frantic pace, while also making sure that each gag is given its proper due. James Wolk's scenic design erects a neatly conceived replica of a music hall around the perimeter of the stage, while maintaining the natural brick wall at the rear, which allows for some nifty, shadowy cinematic lighting effects by Matt Frey. Wolk also contributes a number of clever prop ideas, including ladders doubling as biplanes, and dust mops sculpted into wooly search dogs. Lou Bird's 1930's period costumes add authenticity to the proceedings. Mic Pool ad Rusty Wandall's sound design smartly cribs queues from Bernard Herrmann's scores for Vertigo and Psycho.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis has successfully crafted another winning production with The 39 Steps. If you're even the least bit reluctant to venture out in this bitterly cold weather, be aware that the diverting antics being presented on stage at the Loretto-Hilton (through January 31, 2010) are a perfect cure for those winter blues.

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