MainStage Irving-Las Colinas The 39 Steps

Adapted by Patrick Barlow

from the novel by John Buchan and film by Alfred Hitchcock

Original Concept by Simon Corble and Nobby Dimon

Harry R Friedman Director

Tom Ortiz Technical Director

Cathy Parks Bardin Stage Manager

Dane Tuttle Scenic Designer

Zach Cantrell Sound Designer

Hank Baldree Lighting Designer

Michael A Robinson/Dallas Costume Shoppe Costume Designer

Meredith Butterfield Properties Designer

Steven Merritt Master Carpenter

Neera Jackson Light Board Op

Evelyn G Hall Administrative Producer

Cast

Tucker Souther

Caitlin Martelle

David Willie

Derick Snow

My thoughts on The 39 Steps or…laughs every step of the way.

If you haven’t seen the Hitchcock film or don’t remember much about it, I recommend watching it before attending the play. It won’t spoil anything, and it will make you realize what a wonderful farcical take on the material the play is.

In brief, Richard Hannay is an innocent fugitive fleeing from treacherous, traitorous pursuers with Pamela, a gorgeous Hitchcock blonde by his side. Will Hannay and Pamela be able to save Britain from the devious, determined spies? You betcha, but not until after about a thousand or so comedic episodes unfold.

Director Harry R Friedman has this hilarious whodunit/whydunit moving at a breakneck pace. There’s barely enough time to recover from one laugh without missing the next one. Special kudos to Technical Director Tom Ortiz and Stage Manager Cathy Parks Bardin and the entire tech crew who keep the scenery and props whizzing on and off with nary a glitch. Director Friedman has a first-rate production here, both technically and performance wise.

The show is held together by two actors known only as Clown 1 and Clown 2. These two become dozens of characters during the show and a great deal of the comedy rests with them. Without skilled comedic actors in these roles, the show would not work. Luckily, Director Friedman has cast David Willie as Clown 1 and Derick Snow Clown 2 and they are sensational. Willie is terrific and is particularly hilarious playing female characters. Snow is remarkable, changing characters and accents with ease. He was so convincing in his roles that he reminded me of a young Martin Short.

In the part simply known as The Woman, Caitlin Martelle is a dream as all three characters she plays. Although I have seen Martelle in countless shows, she was so thoroughly in her first character Annabelle, I did not recognize her. Martelle is most excellent as Pamela, the sexy, self-assured Hitchcock blonde. With a perfect British accent, Martelle’s Pamela is not just a pretty face, she’s a woman in charge and not to be toyed with. Martelle is masterful in showing both Pamela’s powerful and vulnerable sides and at keeping the role funny at the same time. The scene with Pamela and Richard in handcuffs is a minicomic masterpiece.

As Richard Hannay, Tucker Souther is a proper British gentleman caught up in a situation he does not understand. Souther is the classic Hitchcock leading man here, dashing, humorous, and erudite. He’s very much in the Cary Grant vein. Souther is amazingly adept at keeping the proper Brit side of the character intact even while doing outrageous comedy bits and running around the set like a madman. Hannay is the center of the story and Souther has both the star power and presence the part needs.

The 39 Steps is a small show that is hugely entertaining. In fact,The 39 Steps is so entertaining, I wish there was a 40th.