All the hats in my closet are off to “The 39-Steps.” This light-hearted (and lightly plotted) gem pays tribute to Alfred Hitchcock’s classic films, as well as to British comedy troupes such as Beyond the Fringe. Much of the fun comes from the fact that only four people play multiple characters. Hat-shifting virtuosi Rob Johansen and Joe Foust toss off roles (and identifies) with seeming ease. They create a perfect case for live theatre (tricks under pressure) over film (effects through digital manipulation). Nick Sandys (as the dashing Richard Hannay) and Sarah Nealis (as three very different women) evoke a stylish, witty, snarky “Brits in danger” mood.
The cleverly designed set by Linda Buchanan deserves special mention. Quick changes, deftly managed by the crew, created near-miracles (and near-crashes) as bridges became airplanes and trains became hotels. Director Peter Amster catches the spirit of Patrick Barlow’s adaptation of Hitchcock’s film. It’s likely to take more than 39 steps to get to the Cleveland Play House’s Drury Theatre before the show closes Oct. 10, but this giddy spirit-lifter is well worth the trip.
Watch the video as Cool Cleveland’s Thomas Mulready runs them through their paces, and catch the hilarious excerpt at the end of the video when the two uber-versatile comic actors Joe Foust and Rob Johansen are joined by lead Nick Sandys and change characters literally at the drop of a hat.
The 39 Steps is live on stage at The Cleveland Play House’s Drury Theatre through October 10, 2010. 216-795-7000 http://www.ClevelandPlayHouse.com.
Laura Kennelly is a freelance arts journalist, a member of the Music Critics Association of North America, and an associate editor of BACH, a scholarly journal devoted to J. S. Bach and his circle.Listening to and learning more about music has been a life-long passion. She knows there’s no better place to do that than the Cleveland area.