By Dawn Pearson
What do you get when you combine four actors and 40 character roles?
Actors Theatre of Indiana resident professional theatre company of The Studio Theater at The Center for the Performing Arts, will present the two-time Tony and Drama Desk Award winner, “‘The 39 Steps’” Jan. 30 to Feb. 15 at The Studio Theater.
Based on the 1935 film thriller, “‘The 39 Steps’” mixes a Hitchcock masterpiece with a juicy spy novel, adds in a dash of Monty Python and the result is a sheer comedic brilliance,” Kristen Merritt, director of marketing and business development for ATI said. “Four actors who, against all odds, masterfully and hilariously play over 40 characters…sometimes changing roles in the blink of an eye!”
Richard J Roberts will direct Lisa Ermel, Don Farrell, Ian McCabe and Logan Moore in this mad-capped Hitchock remake. For the actors bios go to their website actorstheatreofindiana.org.
While on Broadway, the film was reviewed by the New York Times and deemed “fast and frothy, performed by a cast of four that seems like a cast of thousands.” The New York Post said it was “the most entertaining show on Broadway.”
Roberts said one of the reasons people should see the play is because it’s hilarious.
“It’s been a hit in London, on Broadway and all around the nation. It’s a great story with a twist of suspense and a splash of romance mixed in among a lot of laughs,” Roberts said. “It’s a chance to see four terrific actors making the most out of every opportunity to entertain you. You’ll have a really good time.”
The variety of theatrical elements makes “The 39 Steps” special too.
“It’s a wonderful concoction of movies and theatre. It’s takes a classic movie by Hitchcock, the master of suspense, and turns it into a very funny stage comedy,” Roberts said. “The way we try to recreate a movie on stage is very theatrical, so you get the best of both worlds.”
This is the 10th anniversary season and fourth season ATI has been performing in The Studio Theater at The Center for the Performing Arts.
Roberts most recently directed ATI’s critically acclaimed production of “My Fair Lady.”gn is by Bernie Killian, sound design by Joe Court, lighting by Erin Meyer and costumes by Amanda Bailey.
Performances are Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. (discounted ticket rate of $25.00), Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. in The Studio Theater, 4 Center Green, Carmel.
“We will present our talkback series, “Behind the Curtain” sponsored by Matt the Miller’s Tavern, featuring the cast/production crew of “The 39 Steps” directly following the Sunday, Feb. 8 performance,” Merritt said.
Ticket prices for all performances are $40 for adults, $36.50 for seniors, $20.00 for students (18 and younger) and may be purchased online, actorstheatreofindiana.org or by calling the box office, 843-3800. Group rates are available through the box office for groups of 15 or more.
