THE 39 STEPS Opens Seattle Rep's 2009-10 Season, Plays 9/25-10/18, Opens 9/30

Seattle Repertory Theatre Partners with La Jolla Playhouse to present the recent Broadway hit "The 39 Steps" for a limited engagement Sept. 25-Oct. 18, 2009 in the Bagley Wright Theatre. Opening night for the production is set for September 30. The play opens Seattle Rep's 2009-10 season. In this "absurdly enjoyable, gleefully theatrical" production (The New York Times), four actors-aided by scores of costumes, a team of dressers, and a minimal set-play 150 characters and hilariously bring to life every death-defying scene from Alfred Hitchcock's movie, the primary inspiration for the play.

"The 39 Steps" has been on Broadway for 20 months, earning two Tony Awards and rave reviews. It is currently the only non-musical to be running on Broadway. La Jolla Playhouse launched the national tour Aug. 11, and the production will move to Seattle Rep with the same cast.

The partnership with La Jolla is an example of one of the many ways Seattle Rep is currently reaching out to fellow arts organizations across the country to support exciting new projects and bring top quality theatre to Seattle. "Joining with our colleagues to produce work like this is really a win-win situation," said Producing Artistic Director Jerry Manning. "Seattle audiences get the great benefit of this partnership, and we get to collaborate with a fantastic West Coast theatre on this incredibly fun show."

The story is the classic tale of the man who knew too much, written as both a send-up and homage to Hitchcock's thrillers. A beautiful spy leaks a deadly secret to a man she's just met. With that, our hero suddenly finds himself embroiled in a high-speed chase across England and Scotland, dodging police, charming ladies, and uncovering clues at every turn.

Adaptor Patrick Barlow's wit is apparent in the dialogue. In the States he's best known for roles in "Shakespeare in Love" and "Notting Hill," but in England he's part of the two-man comedy theatre troupe The National Theatre of Brent. Director Maria Aitken is a well-known Irish actress who has played leading roles in productions at Royal Shakespeare Company, the Royal National Theatre and the Old Vic.

The cast features Ted Deasy (Richard Hannay), Eric Hissom (Man #1), Scott Parkinson (Man #2) and Claire Brownell (Annabella/Pamela/Margaret).

Seattle Repertory Theatre is located at Seattle Center at the corner of Second Ave. and Mercer St., Seattle, Washington.

Performances of "The 39 Steps" are at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday, with 2 p.m. matinees on most Saturday and Sundays. A captioned performance will be held Thursday, Oct. 1 at 7:30 p.m. Post-play discussions will be held after the performances on Sunday, Oct. 4 at 2 p.m.; Thursday, Oct. 8 at 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Oct. 11 at 2 p.m. There is an audio-described performance on Saturday, Oct. 17 at 2 p.m. and an American Sign Language (ASL)-interpreted performance on Sunday, Oct. 18 at 2 p.m.

SPECIAL EVENT: Family Day, Sept. 12, 2 p.m.-4p.m., free. Seattle Rep opens up its backstage for Page to Stage, an interactive tour/scavenger hunt for families. See how theatre comes to life when you step into the rehearsal room, visit the casting office, see sets being built, learn about costume making, and jump on stage for a photo op. Includes a goodie bag with a voucher (ages 18 and under) to come back and see "The 39 Steps" for free. Please RSVP to 206-443-2222 to reserve your spot at Family Day.

Tickets to The 39 Steps are now on sale and range from $15-$59. Anyone 25 and under may purchase tickets for only $12 for any performance (with ID - call for details). Discounted tickets for groups of ten or more may be purchased by calling (206) 443-2224. For ticket reservations, call the Seattle Repertory Theatre box office at (206) 443-2222 or toll-free at (877) 900-9285, or go online at www.seattlerep.org.

Seattle Rep's 2009-2010 season sponsor is ArtsFund. The 39 Steps Producing Partners are U.S. Bank and Victory Capitol Management. Producing Associates are Stoel Rives LLP and Sterling Savings Bank.

Seattle Repertory Theatre, founded in 1963, is led by Producing Artistic Director Jerry Manning and Managing Director Benjamin Moore. One of America's premier nonprofit resident theatres, Seattle Repertory Theatre has achieved international renown for its consistently high production and artistic standards, and was awarded the 1990 Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre. With an emphasis on entertaining plays of true dramatic and literary worth, Seattle Rep produces a season of plays along with educational programs, new play workshops and special presentations.

For more information, visit www.seattlerep.org.