Hitchcock meets hilarious in this fast-paced comedy mystery thriller for anyone who loves the magic of theater. Train chases, plummeting planes and old-fashioned romance lead to a death-defying finale as a cast of four actors breathlessly reenacts hundreds of characters, locations and famous scenes from Alfred Hitchcock’s 1935 film of the same name. Winner of the 2007 Olivier Award for Best New Comedy and the 2008 Drama Desk Award for Unique Theatrical Experience. June 20 – July 8, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. International City Theatre is located in the Long Beach Performing Arts Center, 330 E. Seaside Way, Long Beach, CA 90802. For tickets and info call (562) 436-4610 or go to InternationalCityTheatre.org.
The 39 Steps
Reviews
Whereas Hitchcock added some comedic elements to this otherwise serious story in his classic film, most recent adaptor Patrick Barlow has made "The 39 Steps" a full-out farce. Barlow incorporates many ingenious bits of staging that, in the hands of director Jamie Torcellini and a delectable cast, find hilarious expression in ICT's production.
The show relies heavily on fun Hitchcock references, and we even hear the famous Psycho shower scene music a few times. At first, this distracted me. Having been a fan of the film, I felt it was cheapening an otherwise great production. Then, I realized: the 39 Steps is not only a play based on a Hitchcock film. It also serves as a theatrical tribute to Hitchcock. The plot remains close to the film, but adds in several lines and accents that will make the Hitchcock connoisseur smile.
Playing the police and countless other combinations of characters of different ages and even genders are the formidably talented Bo Foxworth and Louis A. Lotorto (who has appeared in five previous productions of this play). Each scene requires all four actors to manipulate furniture, ladders, trunks, wheels and the like as they recite fast-paced, synchronized, witty lines and perform physical stunts that include: shaking as if on a moving train and car, climbing out pretend windows while being blown by winds and running, walking, jumping and crawling around various other obstacles, including each other.
Now, ”The 39 Steps” has made its way to Long Beach's International City Theatre and, after seeing it, it's difficult to imagine ever viewing the Hitchcock film without thinking about this farcical stage conceit and laughing out loud. Directed with exquisite timing by Jamie Torcellni, with a cast of four – in two acts and within about two-hours – embody some one-hundred and fifty characters.
Summer is a perfect time for light comedy, and ICT delivers a delightful homage to Hitchcock and the mystery genre. It's a familiar tale, but as played by the four actors, it becomes fresh and entertaining.
Fast paced fun. Non-stop action, excitement and laughs. Worth seeing more than once just for the sheer entertainment.
This hilarious wonderfully acted and cleverly produced play will have you laughing continuously while you're trying to figure out the mystery that unfolds throughout the entire performance.
Like International City Theatre's Around The World In 80 Days and Shipwrecked before it, The 39 Steps demonstrates how much can be achieved with a few gifted actors, inspired direction, and ingenious design. Hollywood could easily spend over a hundred mil and not surpass the entertainment value of what's on stage at ICT.
Above all, Barlow's The 39 Steps is a delight for movie buffs, especially Hitchcock fans. Like Mel Brooks' 1977 High Anxiety, this genre spoof pokes fun at various Hitchcockian conventions.
Whereas Hitchcock added some comedic elements to this otherwise serious story in his classic film, most recent adaptor Patrick Barlow has made "The 39 Steps" a full-out farce. Barlow incorporates many ingenious bits of staging that, in the hands of director Jamie Torcellini and a delectable cast, find hilarious expression in ICT's production.
The show relies heavily on fun Hitchcock references, and we even hear the famous Psycho shower scene music a few times. At first, this distracted me. Having been a fan of the film, I felt it was cheapening an otherwise great production. Then, I realized: the 39 Steps is not only a play based on a Hitchcock film. It also serves as a theatrical tribute to Hitchcock. The plot remains close to the film, but adds in several lines and accents that will make the Hitchcock connoisseur smile.
Playing the police and countless other combinations of characters of different ages and even genders are the formidably talented Bo Foxworth and Louis A. Lotorto (who has appeared in five previous productions of this play). Each scene requires all four actors to manipulate furniture, ladders, trunks, wheels and the like as they recite fast-paced, synchronized, witty lines and perform physical stunts that include: shaking as if on a moving train and car, climbing out pretend windows while being blown by winds and running, walking, jumping and crawling around various other obstacles, including each other.
Now, ”The 39 Steps” has made its way to Long Beach's International City Theatre and, after seeing it, it's difficult to imagine ever viewing the Hitchcock film without thinking about this farcical stage conceit and laughing out loud. Directed with exquisite timing by Jamie Torcellni, with a cast of four – in two acts and within about two-hours – embody some one-hundred and fifty characters.
Summer is a perfect time for light comedy, and ICT delivers a delightful homage to Hitchcock and the mystery genre. It's a familiar tale, but as played by the four actors, it becomes fresh and entertaining.
This hilarious wonderfully acted and cleverly produced play will have you laughing continuously while you're trying to figure out the mystery that unfolds throughout the entire performance.
Like International City Theatre's Around The World In 80 Days and Shipwrecked before it, The 39 Steps demonstrates how much can be achieved with a few gifted actors, inspired direction, and ingenious design. Hollywood could easily spend over a hundred mil and not surpass the entertainment value of what's on stage at ICT.
Above all, Barlow's The 39 Steps is a delight for movie buffs, especially Hitchcock fans. Like Mel Brooks' 1977 High Anxiety, this genre spoof pokes fun at various Hitchcockian conventions.
Fast paced fun. Non-stop action, excitement and laughs. Worth seeing more than once just for the sheer entertainment.