The 39 Steps is based on the 1935 Hitchcock movie of the same name, in which Richard Hannay, a bored English gentleman with dark wavy hair, piercing blue eyes, and a pencil mustache, gets involved with a spy and goes on a cross-country adventure to save the world from some unknown evil. And since this is 1935, evil has a German accent. But the details of the plot and the chase really don't matter, it's the fun of the way that the story is told that matters. The framework of the play gives the artists lots of room to play as they imagine this whirlwind adventure using good old-fashioned theater magic.*
The aforementioned Sarah Nargang, co-Artistic Director of Wayward Theatre Company, makes her Lakeshore debut directing this piece, using her training in physical theater and clowning. The show is very playful and silly, with some great physical comedy well executed by the talented cast, which includes Grant Henderson as the elegant Richard Hannay, Hannah Steblay playing several very different women he gets involved with, and Michael Kelley (also a Co-Artistic Director of Wayward) and Lois Estell as the "clowns" embodying/voicing all of other characters, often (and most hilariously) playing multiple characters in one scene. Lakeshore has expanded the usual four-person cast to include two "background clowns," Dominic DeLong-Rodgers and Sophie Finnerty, who also function as stagehands and onstage understudies. They don't play roles per se, as much as help out with some of the theater tricks and flesh out the world of the story. There is some pretty intricately choreographed prop work, costume quick changes, and other theater tricks, and the ensemble achieves it very neatly, all whist speaking in a fun array of British accents (with help from dialect coach Gillian Constable).
The stage at Hanifl Performing Arts Center is dominated by three large wooden structures, one functioning as a balcony/bridge/stage, the others as open shelves with many interesting props. Set pieces include a few pieces of furniture for Richard's flat and various other locations, as well as a couple of door and window frames, whipped around as characters move from one side to the other. The '30s era period costumes include sharp suits, neat dresses, and trousers with suspenders for the clowns, topped by an array of hats and other pieces to distinguish characters (scenic design by Mark Koski and costume design by Vinny Torres).
Lakeshore Players Theatre's fun and playful production of The 39 Steps continues at Hanifl Performing Arts Center in White Bear Lake through February 7.
