Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/295983
8 APRIL 16-22, 2014 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM The 39 Steps has had several incarnations. It started life as a book written by John Buchan, morphed to a thriller on the big screen, directed by Alfred Hitchcock, and has found new life as a comedy first in London, then Broadway and now at the Cape Fear Regional Theatre. Opening on April 17, The 39 Steps is a mix of silly slapstick humor, comedy, farce and dark, shadowy film noire all meshed together. The mix, director Nick Minas believes, will result in great theatre. Minas, directed Around the World in 180 Days last year at the CFRT, and hopes to find the same success with The 39 Steps. He noted that like Around the World, The 39 Steps requires a little suspension of reality from the audience. "There are more than 100 characters in the play, and there is only a cast of four," he explained. There is the lead, Thomas Dalton; his love interest, Dana (pronounced Donna) Gartland; and two actors, David Thornton and Jimmy Kieffer (both of whom are coming to the CFRT by way of New York) who play all of the other roles. Referred to as Clown 1 and Clown 2, Thornton and Kieffer can get carried away in the midst of costume changes, voice changes and character changes, which includes changing from a man to a woman in a matter of seconds. The story revolves around Dalton's character, Richard Hannay, who inexplicably finds himself in the midst of a spy ring, international intrigue and a race across Europe to try and prove his innocence and save the world. Of course, to make it a little more complicated, Gartland's character, Pamela, thwarts him at every turn. While the play is loosely based on the book and the film, it does bring some of the highlights of Hitchcock's dark humor to the stage. Minas noted that the cast has been watching the film to find ways they can incorporate pieces, timing and bits of it into the stage production. Because at its heart, the play, first staged in London, is actually paying homage to film. "A theatre company in London decided to spoof the film in a way that is reminiscent of Mel Brooks adaptation of Frankenstein," said Minas. "They've taken a very dark film and brought the humor out." The play also pokes fun at the idea of theatre and its use of over-the-top costuming and props. In its stripped-down version, a play is simply story telling, and that's what Minas and company hope to do with The 39 Steps. The set is simple. It is comprised of items one would find in a theatre. Cast in tow, Minas scoured the CFRT from top to bottom checking out old props, costumes, etc., for use in the play. Season ticket holders will see bits of the past as the story unfolds, but that's part of what Minas is trying to do in celebrating the idea of theatre. He expects the audience to be drawn into the show, and leave a little lighter having laughed at the hilarity brought to life by the cast. "It's going to be a blast," he said. The 39 Steps preview nights are April 17 and 18, with reduced ticket prices at $12. On Saturday, April 19 the show officially opens and runs through May 4. Tickets range in price from $12 to $25. This show offers two Saturday Family matinees, where parties of 4 or more are eligible to purchase $12 tickets. For tickets and more information, visit www.cfrt.org. The 39 Steps: An Irreverently Reverent Comedy by JANICE BURTON CCRC PHYSICAL THERAPY Why Choose Us? You have a CHOICE. Did you know that in the State of North Carolina, no physician referral is needed? If you are in need of Physical Therapy come see one of our Doctors of Physical Therapy. YOU HAVE A CHOICE...CHOOSE US! 910-429-0600 • CCRCNC.COM 4251 LEGION ROAD-107 HOPE MILLS, NC 28348 Great Food Prepared FRESH Daily Daily Drink Specials 24 Draft Beers Daily Lunch Specials starting at $5.99 from 11-3 Watch ALL Your Favorite Games on HDTV! 5081 Morganton Rd., Fayetteville, NC (910) 223-7676 • Open Daily 11am-1am www.kbjacks.com JANICE BURTON, Associate Publisher, Up & Coming Weekly. COMMENTS? bbowman@upandcomingweekly.com. The 39 Steps brings some of the highlights of Alfred Hitchcock's dark humor to the stage.