White Plains Performing Arts Center Presents “The 39 Steps”
“It’s clever, funny, very well produced and acted, and thoroughly entertaining.” That’s what people were saying on opening night of WPPAC’s production of The 39 Steps this weekend.
Combining a spy thriller with farcical comedy and ingenious theatrical invention, The 39 Steps is an engaging, fast-paced whodunit closely following the storyline of Alfred Hitchcock’s 1935 film of the same name. The play, adapted by Patrick Barlow from an original concept by Simon Corble and Nobby Dimon, features more than 150 characters brought to life by a cast of just five actors, including David Gautschy as the intrepid hero Richard Hannay; Natasha Nightingale as all female roles (including a beautiful spy with a deadly secret); with DJ Petrosino, Ari Lew and Kate Dickinson all putting their many sidesplitting skills to the test in this wildly entertaining experience. The WPPAC production is directed by David Murray Jaffe.
For those who love the magic of theater this production is worth so much more than the $37.50 ticket price.
The actors play off of one another, sometimes turning from character to character with a dance and a twirl. Though fast-paced, the plot is easy to follow and anyone who has appreciated the slapstick yet sometimes dry British humor of Monty Python, will recognize the familiar antics of stars John Cleese and Eric Idle pulled off by these very talented actors on the White Plains stage.
The staging is great, helping to move the story along from scene to scene. Kate Dickinson, who acts as Foley artist right on stage, pulls the audience into the fun.
WPPAC is located in the City Center at White Plains. As the show opens commentary is made about the “theater in a mall” perhaps a contradiction in concepts, but once the audience is settled in their seats (there isn’t a bad one in the house) and the performance begins, it doesn’t’ matter what’s outside the door. It’s the production on stage that counts.
The 39 Steps is playing at the White Plains Performing Arts Center with remaining performances on October 17 to 20 and 24 to 27. Evening shows begin at 8 p.m. and Sunday matinees are at 2 p.m. Tickets are $37.50 for adults and $25 for high school and younger. Contact 914-328-1600 or www.wppac.com.
