Photo Coverage: The Second Annual Halloween Hitchcock Costume Contest at THE 39 STEPS!

The smash hit stage comedy The 39 Steps which is based on Alfred Hitchcock's 1935 classic film thriller, celebratEd Halloween by holding a special on-stage contest to find New York City's best Alfred Hitchcock film character costume lookalike.

The 39 Steps held their second annuAl Halloween Hitchcock Costume Contest this past Saturday, October 31st after the evening performance. A couple of contenders were selected and the audience voted on the winner. The winner was Tara Kennedy as "The 39 Steps." First year winner Pat Hill joined the fun as well!

Now in its second smash year, the Tony Award-winning quick change comedy version ofAlfred Hitchcock's classic film thriller is playing at the Helen Hayes Theatre (240 West 44th Street) through January 10, 2010. The production has played over 650 performances on Broadway and is the longest running Broadway play of the last seven years.

THE 39 STEPS is adapted by Patrick Barlow and directed by Maria Aitken. The production is based on an original concept by Simon Corble and Nobby Dimon and on the book by John Buchan.

THE 39 STEPS features a cast of four actors who, against all odds, breathlessly and hilariously attempt to reenact all of the characters, locations and famous scenes in Hitchcock's 1935 film thriller with just a few props and a lot of theatrical ingenuity and split second quick changes.

The production stars Arnie Burton (Man #2), Jeffrey Kuhn (Man #1), Sean Mahon (Richard Hannay) and Jill Paice (Annabella Schmidt/Pamela/Margaret). The company also includes Rob Breckenridge, Cameron Folmar and Nisi Sturgis.

THE 39 STEPS opened to deliriously ecstatic reviews. Ben Brantley, New York Times, called the production, "Absurdly enjoyable! This gleefully theatrical riff on Hitchcock's film is fast and frothy, performed by a cast of four that seems like a cast of thousands. The actors themselves seem to be having a helluva good time. As does the audience." Clive Barnes, New York Post, pronounced THE 39 STEPS "Inventively astonishing, riotous & marvelous." Joe Dziemianowicz, Daily News, exclaimed, "Hitchcock probably never imagined his thriller had the makings of a hilarious comedy, but this show is a dizzy delight and an ingenious spoof, inventively directed by Maria Aitken. A fast-paced fun ride!"

Tickets are available from TeleCharge at 212-239-6200, online at www.telecharge.com and at the Helen Hayes Theatre box office. Performances are Tuesday at 7:00 PM, Wednesday through Saturday at 8:00 PM, with matinees Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at 3:00 PM.

Photos by Peter James Zielinski

Arnie Burton , Sean Mahon, Jill Paice, and Jeffrey Kuhn

Arnie Burton , Sean Mahon, Jill Paice, and Jeffrey Kuhn

Arnie Burton and Jeffrey Kuhn

Arnie Burton and Jeffrey Kuhn

Sean Mahon and Jill Paice

Sean Mahon and Jill Paice

Arnie Burton , Sean Mahon, Jill Paice, and Jeffrey Kuhn

Arnie Burton

Contestants Tara Kennedy as 'The 39 Steps', Stephanie Tupper as 'Tippi Hedren', and Rob Hill as 'Hitchcock'

Pat Hill and Matt Sicoli

Pat Hill and Matt Sicoli

Pat Hill and Matt Sicoli

Pat Hill and Matt Sicoli

Rob Hill

Matt Sicoli, Tara Kennedy, Stephanie Tupper, and Rob Hill

Rob Hill and Pat Hill

Tara Kennedy, Stephanie Tupper, Rob Hill, and Pat Hill

Tara Kennedy, Pat Hill, Stephanie Tupper, and Rob Hill

Tara Kennedy, Pat Hill, Stephanie Tupper, and Rob Hill

Matt Sicoli, Tara Kennedy, Pat Hill, Stephanie Tupper, and Rob Hill

Matt Sicoli, Tara Kennedy, Pat Hill, Stephanie Tupper, and Rob Hill