Alfred Hitchcock's THE 39 STEPS, Broadway's longest running comedy, continues its popular "Hitchcock Meets Hilarious" Talkback Tuesday series Tuesday, November 17 with actor/director Bob Balaban. The "Hitchcock Meets Hilarious" Talkbacks are free to anyone attending Tuesday evening performances.
About Bob Balaban:
Bob Balaban recently directed Joan Allen and Jeremy Irons in "Georgia O'Keeffe" (Lifetime). He received three 2008 Emmy Award nominations, two for directing and producing the HBO film "Bernard and Doris," starring Susan Sarandon and Ralph Fiennes, the third for his performance in "Recount". Other directing credits include "The Last Good Time" (starring Armin Mueller Stahl and Maureen Stapleton) and "Parents" (with Randy Quaid and Sandy Dennis.
He produced and co-starred in the award-winning film Gosford Park. His acting career spans nearly one hundred films including Capote, A Mighty Wind, Ghost World, The Mexican, Best in Show, Cradle Will Rock, Waiting for Guffman, Lady in the Water, For Your Consideration, Absence of Malice, Prince of the City, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Catch-22, Midnight Cowboy and the upcoming Howl, starring James Franco as Allen Ginsburg.
His theatre appearances include Plaza Suite, The Inspector General (Tony Award nomination), Speed the Plow, You're a Good Man Charlie Brown, Marie and Bruce and Some Americans Abroad. He directed and produced the original hit off-Broadway production of The Exonerated (Drama Desk Award, Outer Critics Circle Award, New York Times #1 Play, Fringe First Award at Edinburgh Fringe Festival), as well as the television version starring Susan Sarandon and Danny Glover. He is the author of McGrowl, a best-selling series of children's books.
The next Talkback Tuesday guest is:
November 24 - Comedian Dave Konig
Comedian Dave Konig won three Emmy Awards for his hilarious "man under the street" interviews on the New York TV show, "Subway Q & A". He hosted his own daily comedy talk show on Sirius radio, and hosted the infamous HBO late night comedy series "Hardcore TV". He starred on Broadway as the libidinous deejay Vince Fontaine in the hit '90s revival of Grease. He is generally regarded to be America's Most Beloved Living Entertainer. Visit Dave Konig at www.davekonig.com or www.facebook.com/davekonig1.
Now in its second smash year, the Tony Award-winning quick change comedy version of Alfred 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 700 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.
www.39StepsOnBroadway.com
Photo credit: Walter McBride
