OPENING THIS WEEKEND (04/13/12): "The 39 Steps" at Magenta Theater

It looks like this production may sell out. There were only a few seats left for opening night when I got mine and, according to marketing information, a performance has been added "due to popular demand."

Based on the movie by Alfred Hitchcock, the play was adapted for  stage by Patrick Barlow. The Tony-Award winning "The 39 Steps" brings the classic Hitchcock spy thriller to the stage, re-imagined as a fast paced comedy. The Magenta production is being directed by Bryan Schmidt.

In a nutshell the comedy follows Richard Hannay as he encounters a beautiful spy only to end up framed for her murder. The only way he can clear his name is to unravel a conspiracy that will lead him on a race across England and Scotland.

The performance stars four actors--Matt Newport, Shaye Eller, Tony Provenzola, Justin Tanner--who embrace the challenge of recreating over a hundred characters from the movie. They will attempt to bring to life a train chase, a nefarious spy organization, a hunt for a fugitive, and even a parade using every theatrical trick in the book.

For more information (and a video from the West End production) please view my earlier post.

There will also be more information presented in my REVIEW post coming this Saturday. 

For ticket information see the Magenta website.

By Gregory E. Zschomler