Great Lakes Theater ‘Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps’ is an almost
Fans of Alfred Hitchcock’s works are well aware of his spy thriller “The 39 Steps” as a dark dramatic rendering. The Great Lakes Theater version is an adaptation by Patrick Barlow from the novel by John Buchan from the movie by Alfred Hitchcock. Billed as an uproarious romantic thriller and madcap comedy the show has its moments of brilliance along with some segments that are a bit of a misstep.
Richard Hannay (Anthony Michael Martinez) is a well to do member of the upper crust of British society who is simply bored with life (this seems to be a popular theme in British comedies). He decides to take in a music hall performance in order to relieve his doldrums. Suddenly, a woman with a foreign accent who is sitting next to him fires a gun into the air and talks him into taking her to his apartment. It is then that his humdrum life takes a turn to being much more exciting.
At his abode she reveals that she is a spy who is pursuing secret plans that are about to be smuggled out of the UK and at the same time she is being pursued by two spies herself. She shows Richard a map of Scotland with a town circled and gives him the name of an estate. The next day Richard finds her murdered and the chase is on. Outwitting the police, nosy train carriage inhabitants, a women who refuses to assist him in his escape and instead aids in his capture and the two pursuing spies he manages to reach his destination in the highlands.
Along with being the Scottish Lord of the Manor, Professor Jordan is the head spy for the group 39 Steps who is trying to smuggle the secret plans of a “silent” air plane engine out of Scotland and into the hands of the Germans. Can Richard thwart the evil plans of the professor and his henchmen? Will the police believe his outrageous story? Will Pamela fall in love with Richard in spite of her doubts? Will all of the facial hair stay in place during the show?
On the plus side the actors are very engaging. Betsy Mugavero, Maggie Kettering and Joe Wegner have their hands full with over a hundred costume and accent changes during the performance (most of which are done in full view on the stage). Special nod to Joe Wegner as Mr. Memory when he rapidly recites the entire technical plans for the engine. He received a much deserved applause for his efforts. There is also the use of various bits and bobs used to construct some rather clever stage settings including an apartment, music hall, train, Scottish manor (with a rolling door for all the various rooms), hotel and the moors along with a puppetry silhouette overland chase scene complete with an airplane crash. There are some truly funny moments that had the audience laughing loudly.
Fault is found in the second act when either the characters seem to take a breather and the energy level wanes or the material is simply too sparse to hold the tension factor needed for a true comedy farce. True farce requires more and more and more and yet more still to emphasize the ridiculousness of the situation (think Monty Python on steroids). Luckily this is only a passing segment as the energy factor is amp-ed up once more for the finale as the hero gets his just reward while Christmas angels celebrate on high and the audience loses all of its composure and hearty laughter once again rings to the rafters.
The show is the directorial debut of GLT Artistic Associate, Jaclyn Miller who has worked as a Choreographer/Movement Director/Assistant Director in such shows as “The Music Man”, “Julius Caesar” and “Mamma Mia!” Scenic Designer Courtney O’Neill and Costume Designer Esther M. Haberien work well together keeping the transitions smooth for outfits and sets which basically consists of a bare stage. Lighting by Heather Gilbert and Sound by Matthew Webb also enhance the show greatly.
True fans of Hitchcock will take great delight into the subtle references to his many hit movies including “Strangers on a Train”, “North By Northwest”, “Vertigo”, “Psycho” and “Rear Window.” See how many you catch as the show goes on.
A true comedy farce requires that the silliness builds up to a highly nearly unsustainable level with that peak then being held true to the end. While this show comes close, the hick-up in the second act unfortunately takes the wind out of the sails. It is a good show in search of greatness that some fine tuning might help. Still, it is great fun and worth the price of the ticket.
“Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps” will be on stage in the Hanna Theatre at Playhouse Square located at 2067 East 14th Street, Cleveland, Ohio through May 22, 2022. For more information and tickets go to https://www.greatlakestheater.org/ or call (216) 241-6000.