THE 39 STEPS
This may come as a surprise to some, but even more than food, goodie bags, and sports, I love watching old movies the most. I could just sit on the couch all day, especially if it’s raining or dark out, and watch 24 hours of TCM. And actually have done so, on more occasions than I care to admit.
So, when I saw that the Ahmanson Theatre was doing a production of The 39 Steps, based on Alfred Hitchcock’s black and white film starring Robert Donat, I was really excited. I figured they had to do it as a farce, and I was correct. (Of course, if I had just read my press release, I would have known that it’s been running on Broadway for over two years now! And that’s strange, because being bi-coastal, I’m usually aware of New York productions. And I never miss the Tonys, so why did I not know about this show?)
Anyway, this fast-paced show was perfect! Better than I had envisioned, which is rare because I’m usually disappointed in everything when compared to my pre-conceived notion of it. The four actors, three of whom performed many, many parts, were high energy (ala Monty Python,) the set was simple yet very clever, and some of the special “effects” were brilliant.
The weird thing for me is that even though I’ve seen the film many times, I don’t actually love this early one from Hitchcock. It makes me nervous. Just as I always use the show 24 as my basis to ask people to “Jack Bauer” it, (meaning just listen to my instructions and follow them perfectly with no questions,) I also use The 39 Steps to show others how to trust no one. (What is it with these titles that feature numbers?) So, I was already greatly familiar with the story going in, and was curious to see how they would do this very complicated movie on the stage.
Every nuance was a pleasant surprise to me! I don’t know how anyone thought of one clever bit after another. We, the audience, had no time to think or breathe–we just reacted. And react we did; hearty laughter emanated from us all evening long.
One further word on the performers: while seeing the show, I actually assumed that they were English, as this play has a decidedly British sensibility. Upon reading the program, (which I never do until I get home–I don’t like outside info to color my view of what I’m seeing,) I discovered that they were all American, with extensive theater credits. It’s good to see that such talented people get lots of work.
I definitely recommend this show to everyone, especially Hitchcock-philes; I would just suggest that you see the film before you go. And as far before as possible; the movie gets tedious, so you may want some space before re-living the actual story again.
One opening night audience note: I realize that sometimes I forget to list the famous faces enjoying the shows I see, like Kym Johnson of Dancing With The Stars fame at Chicago a couple of weeks ago. I think that might be because most of the time, it’s people I’m not interested in myself. But this night, I spied Ed Westwick, who plays Chuck Bass on Gossip Girl. I never miss that show, goony as it is. Ed’s acting always gets on my nerves, and I don’t understand his casting, so I figured his attraction must be of the in-person ilk. But, after seeing the little guy rocking some high-water babies (really short pants) especially with what appeared to be no socks, I’m sad to report that, although he may be a great guy, I still don’t get it. But it was definitely interesting to see an East Coast actor in my own little ‘hood.
