Newtown Arts Company brings THE 39 STEPS to the stage of the Newtown Theatre for one week only, Oct. 15 through 21, as part of its 33rd season.
A two-time TONY and DRAMA DESK Award-winning treat, this Patrick Barlow adaptation of the Alfred Hitchcock masterpiece (based on the John Buchan novel), is packed with nonstop laughs as well as train chases, plane crashes, shadowy murders, beautiful spies, trilbied heavies, dastardly villains – and some of the most iconic moments in the history of cinema.
A riotous blend of virtuoso performances by four actors and wildly inventive stagecraft, THE 39 STEPS amounts to an unforgettable evening of pure pleasure. A man who lives a boring life meets a woman with a thick accent who says she’s a spy. When he takes her home, she is murdered. Soon, a mysterious organization called THE 39 STEPS is hot on the man’s trail in a nationwide manhunt that climaxes in a death-defying finale.
Richard Hannay (played by DJ Holcombe, of Yardley) is the unlikely hero who battles mysterious evil to save England, not to mention the world. Romantic entanglements ensue with Annabella Schmidt, Pamela, and Margaret (all played by Jane Landes, of Newtown). Two clowns (Tim Costello, of Horsham, and Scott Young, of Newtown) portray more than 30 characters.
”Putting an entire movie onstage was a most enjoyable challenge,” says director and producer Jim Banar. “This is a story of an ordinary man, propelled into action by events beyond his understanding. By using minimal set pieces and props as well as a creative costume and technical design, our imaginative cast of four has created a wonderful blend of intrigue, adventure, and romance, and a heartwarming mix of colorful characters certain to delight our audiences.”
THE 39 STEPS crew and production staff includes: Costume designer Debra Derderian, of Newtown; stage manager Bobby Reiser, of Newtown; property manager Kris Ballerini, of Yardley; and dialect coach Anne McKernan.
Performances of THE 39 STEPS are one week only, October 15 through 21 (no show Monday, October 19), at Newtown Theatre, 120 North State Street, Newtown, PA 18940: Thursday, Tuesday and Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., and Sunday matinee at 3 p.m.
Tickets for Reserved Front Orchestra and Front Row Balcony seats are $20; Reserved Rear Orchestra and Balcony seats are $17. Extended legroom seating is available in Row I for an additional accommodation fee. Groups of 10 or more qualify for a $2 discount.
Tickets are available by credit card by phone at 800-838-3006 or online at www.newtownartscompany.com (service fee applies). Tickets are also available at the Newtown Theatre Box Office beginning one hour before curtain on performance dates. For reservations or information call 215-860-7058 or email tickets@newtownarts company.com.
Presented by special arrangement with SAMUEL FRENCH, INC.
Newtown Arts Company, a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization, has awarded over $118,000 in scholarships to local students pursuing higher education in the arts since it was formed in 1983.
Theater/Organization Newtown Arts Company
Theater/Organization Website: http://www.newtownartscompany.com
Theater/Organization Address: The Newtown Theatre 120 N. State Street Newtown, Pennsylvania 18940 (Map It)
Theater/Organization Phone: (215) 860-7058
