THE 39 STEPS FEATURED ON PBS THIRTEEN’S ‘THEATER TALK

“Absurdly enjoyable!
The actors seem to be having a helluva good time. As does the audience!”
–Ben Brantley, The New York Times

"INVENTIVELY ASTONISHING, RIOTOUS and MARVELOUS!!"
Clive Barnes, The New York Post

“A FAST-PACED FUN RIDE!
INGENIOUS AND HILARIOUS. A DIZZY DELIGHT!”
Joe Dziemianowicz, Daily News

ALFRED HITCHCOCK’S THE 39 STEPS
FEATURED ON PBS THIRTEEN’S ‘THEATER TALK,’ FRIDAY, MARCH 21


Alfred Hitchcock’s THE 39 STEPS, the critically acclaimed 2007 Olivier Award-winner for Best New Comedy, will be featured on Friday, March 21 on “Theater Talk”. Film historian Jerry Carlson, host of "City Cinematheque," will discuss Alfred Hitchcock’s THE 39 STEPS – both the 1935 original Hitchcock movie masterpiece and its innovative stage adaptation, now playing at Roundabout Theatre Company’s American Airlines Theatre through March 29, and moving to Broadway’s Cort Theatre (138 West 48th Street) on April 29.

The program premieres Friday, March 21 at 12:30 AM on PBS Thirteen. It repeats in New York on CUNY TV on March 29-31. “Theater Talk” also airs in syndication and this episode is scheduled to air on stations around the country including WGBH Channel 44 in Boston, Sundays at noon; WHUT in Washington, DC, Saturdays at 2:30 PM; WSBE in Providence, RI, Fridays at 10:30 PM, Saturdays at 2:30 AM; WDCNY2 in Syracuse, NY, Saturdays at 12:30 PM; WXXI2 in Rochester, NY, Saturdays at 12:30 AM; WNEDD3 in Buffalo, NY, Saturdays at 12:30 AM; and KOVC in Odessa, Texas, Saturdays at 11:30 PM. Check local listings to verify schedule.

Alfred Hitchcock’s THE 39 STEPS is adapted by Patrick Barlow and directed by Maria Aitken. The production is based on an original concept by Simon Corble and Nobby Dimon and on the book by John Buchan.

Performances continue through Saturday, March 29 at the American Airlines. Performances with the production’s praised original Broadway cast will resume Tuesday, April 29 at the Cort, prior to a Thursday, May 8 opening night.

Mix Alfred Hitchcock’s cinematic masterpiece with a juicy spy novel. Then, add the manic dash of vintage Monty Python and you have THE 39 STEPS – equal parts hilarious whodunit, espionage thriller and quick-change comedy, adapted for the stage from Hitchcock’s famous 1935 film and John Buchan’s 1915 novel.

Seeking a frivolous night out at the theatre, Richard Hannay is lured into a world of intrigue by a mysterious woman claiming to be a spy. When she winds up dead in his flat, he flees London with the police hot on his trail.

THE 39 STEPS features Arnie Burton (Man #2), Charles Edwards (Richard Hannay), Jennifer Ferrin (Annabella Schmidt/Pamela/Margaret).and Cliff Saunders (Man #1). The company also includes Claire Brownell, Cameron Fulmar and Mark Shanahan. Charles Edwards is appearing with the permission of Actors’ Equity Association. The Producers gratefully acknowledge Actors’ Equity Association for its assistance with this production.
The Broadway premiere of Alfred Hitchcock’s THE 39 STEPS opened to deliriously ecstatic reviews. Ben Brantley, New York Times, called the production, “Absurdly enjoyable! 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.” Clive Barnes, New York Post, pronounced THE 39 STEPS "Inventively astonishing, riotous & marvelous." Joe Dziemianowicz, Daily News, exclaimed, “Hitchcock probably never imagined his thriller had the makings of a hilarious comedy, but this show is a dizzy delight and an ingenious spoof, inventively directed by Maria Aitken. A fast-paced fun ride!”

The production features sets and costumes by Peter McKintosh, lighting by Kevin Adams and sound by Mic Pool. Dialect coach is Stephen Gabis. Original movement created by Toby Sedgwick. Additional movement created by Christopher Bayes. Production management is by Aurora Productions. Production stage manager is Nevin Hedley.

Alfred Hitchcock’s THE 39 STEPS has been a runaway hit in London’s West End, playing to sell-out houses at the Criterion where it continues to delight and thrill audiences. The first production of THE 39 STEPS was directed by Fiona Buffini and produced on stage by North Country Theatre in April 1996 at the Georgian Theatre, Richmond, North Yorkshire.

Alfred Hitchcock’s THE 39 STEPS received its American debut at the Huntington Theatre Company in Boston, MA., from September 14, 2007-October 14, 2007. The Broadway premiere production began previews on January 4, 2008 and officially opened on January 15 at Roundabout Theatre Company’s American Airlines Theatre.

Alfred Hitchcock’s THE 39 STEPS is produced by Bob Boyett, Harriet Newman Leve/Ron Nicynski, Stewart F. Lane/Bonnie Comley, Manocherian Golden Prods., Olympus Theatricals/Douglas Denoff, Pam Laudenslager/Pat Addiss, Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director; Harold Wolpert, Managing Director; Julia Levy, Executive Director), Huntington Theatre Company (Nicholas Martin, Artistic Director; Michael Maso, Managing Director) and Edward Snape for Fiery Angel Ltd.

TICKET INFORMATION

FOR PERFORMANCES THROUGH MARCH 29 AT THE AMERICAN AIRLINES THEATRE
Tickets for Alfred Hitchcock’s THE 39 STEPS are available by phone at 212- 719-1300, online at www.roundabouttheatre.org or at the American Airlines Theatre (227 West 42nd St). Performances are Tuesday through Saturday evenings at 8:00PM with a Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday matinee at 2:00PM.

FOR PERFORMANCES BEGINNING APRIL 29 AT THE CORT THEATRE
Tickets for Alfred Hitchcock’s THE 39 STEPS will go on sale on Tuesday, March 18. Tickets are available from TeleCharge at 212-239-6200, online at www.telecharge.com or at the Cort Theatre box office (138 West 48th Street, between Sixth and Seventh Avenues). Performances are Tuesday at 7:00 PM, Wednesday through Saturday at 8:00 PM, with matinees Wednesday and Saturday at 2:00 PM, Sunday at 3:00 PM.
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