By Jennifer Mustoe
The 39 Steps, now playing at the Grand Theatre, is a wild ride of accents, physical comedy, film noir parody, and–I’ll tell you now–don’t miss this. The plot is a trope, international spy-type mystery that is delightful and entertaining. But why you want to see The 39 Steps is this: the actors in this show are unbeatable and unbelievable.
Many factors go into making a successful comedy production. Sometimes it’s an especially interesting, inventive plot, sometimes it’s physical comedy, sometimes it’s a crazy set and costumes. You don’t always need to have all these factors to make a great show. But The 39 Steps supplies all of these, and more. The main character in this “show”thriller”, Richard Hannay, played by the highly skilled Nicholas Dunn, gets landed into a mess of international intrigue. A mysterious Woman with a German accent (Mara Lefler) enters Dunn’s apartment, silkily and sneakily suggests there are spies a-foot, and before you know it, the woman stumbles onto Hannay’s lap as he sits in his easy chair, a knife in her back. That is really all we need to know of the plot. Because the plot is simply a vehicle to give these actors piles of opportunities to wow us.
There are only four actors onstage and I wish I’d counted how many characters they play, and how many accents they use. It all happened so fast, as they say. Clown One, played by Michelle Lynn Thompson, and Clown Two, played by Max Huftalin, are truly gifted artists. He plays a man, she plays a man, he plays a man who is posing as a woman, she plays a man and then another man in the same scene. In a snap, Thompson, Huftalin, and Lefler switch costumes, accents, characters, mannerisms in one scene, in every scene, and never is there a hitch. We see comedy like this rarely–this is one tight cast. All actors but Dunn must play about 15 characters a piece (that may be an exaggeration), but all these four cast members are perfect. I say perfect rarely in reviews. I’m saying it now. I’m thinking of my favorite scenes as I write this, but not sure I can choose any of them. Every bit, every interaction, every minute of this fast-moving piece are astounding. I found myself rather breathless.
Director Jamie Rocha Allan gathered the best of the best with his cast and as I watched the bridled chaos onstage, I kept thinking of how much fun rehearsals must have been. Miller has given his actors so much to do, and in double time. The entire production team work so closely and so distinctly, it was almost as if they too were part of the acting cast. Things happen quick quick quick in The 39 Steps, and everyone is definitely on their game. The set by Kyle Becker is a moving, morphing, living thing. My favorite? The window all four actors jump out of. I can only imagine the actors giggling as they practiced this feat during rehearsal. I know I was giggling during the performance. Rachael Harned‘s lighting is wonderful and the timing is exact. There are a few bits where the lighting is actually the comedy, and it is fun to watch. Sound Designer Adam Day has a lot of work to do, (like I said, this play flies!) and he does it all wonderfully. The costumes in The 39 Steps are vintage, fun, and lovely thanks to Costume Designer Shannon McCullock. The scene with the old lady and the cop who also play other characters, switching costume pieces on and off is a hoot. Dialect Coach Stacey Jenson had her work cut out for her and her efforts and the ability of the actors to take this direction is my favorite part of The 39 Steps. It’s a dialectical triumph.
The not yet opening night crowd (this was technically final dress) was rousing, entertained, and large, which is always great when you begin a run of a show. The 39 Steps takes place on the back of the Grand Theatre’s main stage, but has been created as a black box type that is intimate and cozy. It’s a little hard to find, so park in the theater parking lot and go to the back side of the mainstage theater. There is a side entrance that is easy to find, once you find it. If you get lost, go the ticket office for the main stage and to the right of the women’s bathroom is a hallway. Go up that hallway and you’ll find the Backstage Theater.
Finally, The 39 Steps is rated PG-13, according to the Grand’s staff. Frankly, I’d feel comfortable bringing tweens and up, especially if they’re fans of old film noir type movies. Or comedy. Or just fun. If your kids are playing fast-moving video games, they’ll think this is hilariously entertaining.
Backstage at the Grand‘s The 39 Steps is a whirlwind of activity, comedy, accents, costumes, and through it all, remarkable talent. Come experience this delight in this wonderful space.
The Grand Theatre and Backstage at the Grand present The 39 Steps, adapted by Patrick Barlow, from the novel by John Buchan based on the movie by Alfred Hitchcock.
The Grand Theatre, 1575 South State Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84115
February 16– March 11, 2023, Thursday – Saturday 7:30 PM, Saturday matinee 2:00 PM
Tickets: $30
Contact: 801-957-3322, grandtheatre@slcc.edu
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