"The 39 Steps" by Patrick Barlow opened at the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival in Desales Universitys Schubert Theater on June 21st.
This production is a hilarious spy thriller that romps across the British country side. Anyone who appreciates great acting and creative directing should not miss it.
The play is loosely based on the movie by Alfred Hitchcock itself an adaption of the novel by John Buchan. The novel was given two other film treatments and a short-run television show called "Hannay."
Barlows script develops a story line rife with spy-thriller cliches and opportunities for humor. This puts maximum pressure on the director and the actors to create the performance. The PSF cast and director have the talent and experience to meet this challenge and deliver an entrancing, entertaining theater experience.
The director, Matt Pfeffer, directed two of my most favorite PSF shows in "Dracula" and "The Compleat Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)." His direction of this production of "The 39 Steps" found new and innovative ways to make me laugh than I would have thought possible.
This is my fourth time in the audience for "The 39 Steps," and this production is the best of the lot. The cast of the show was the most effective team of actors that I have seen in this show, and may be the best cast I have seen in any regional theater production.
William Connell as Richard Hannay captured my vision of what Richard Hannay should be. Hannay is the foundation of this show and Connell was the foundation of this Hannay.
PSF finds many excellent leading actors, and Connells performance places him in this group.
Genevieve Perrier as Annabella Schmidt/Margaret/Pamela was a perfect foil for Connell. Her interpretation of the death of Annabella Schmidt developed a unique, creative interpretation of her death over Hannays arm chair. Her portrayal of the three different characters was such that I would have thought the parts were played by different actors if I had not read the program.
The final high-light in a show of high-lights is the performance of Steve Burns as Clown 1 and Anthony Reimer as Clown 2. Burns is shorter with the physique of a long-distance runner, and Reimer is taller with a body type more like many of the rest of us. Together the differences accentuate the humor in their performance. Reimers final recitation as Mr. Memory is not to be missed. Burns portrayal of the evil Professor Jordan was an excellent example of the right recipe of role-appropriate campiness. This is the best comedic duo I have seen in a long time.
This play uses the entire Schubert theater proscenium with the black, back-stage wall as backdrop. The open stage with props, furniture and the paraphernalia carried on and off by the cast and crew created the illusions needed to demonstrate air pursuit, window exits, street lamp posts and other images crucial to a successful production of the play.
The production stage staff managed by Marguerite Price were disciplined and sharp. Their scene changes happened without a noticeable hitch with no interference with the flow of the play.
A welcome plus of this production was the clarity of diction. I understood almost every word, and anything I missed was something we are supposed to miss such as some early phrases by Mrs. McGonigal (played by Reimer) to allow Mr. McGonigal to explain what she said to Hannay and Pamela. I also lost a few words when the actor speaking them was facing away from my seat. With the clear diction, I understood a half-dozen jokes I missed in the other performances.
The major short-coming of the show was that it ended too soon. The audience and I were having such a good time we were sorry that it ended.
The 39 Steps continues through Saturday, July 14th. Shows are at 8PM on Tuesday through Saturday except for July 4th. There are 2PM matinees on Saturdays and Sundays.
Adult tickets are $42-$52 with a $2 discount for Seniors and $5 for Children.