Good Morning America to Go Behind The Scenes of '39 Steps' 10/3

"Good Morning America" will go behind-the-scenes at Broadway's THE 39 STEPS on Friday, October 3, in a segment running nationally between 8:30 – 9:00 AM.   In the New York area, "Good Morning America" airs on WABC-TV, Channel 7.  Check local listings.

In a taped segment, "Good Morning America" takes a look at the hit quick-change comedy version of the 1935 Hitchcock film classic, interviewing cast members Arnie Burton, Jennifer Ferrin, Sam Robards and Cliff Saunders and showing some of the organized chaos backstage during the running of a typical performance.  GMA correspondent Taryn Brill also gets into the spirit of the show's quick changes, switching between the costumes of Annabella Schmidt, Pamela and Margaret in record time.  

THE 39 STEPS, the winner of two Tony Awards, two Drama Desk Awards and the 2007 Olivier Award for Best New Comedy,  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 hit comedy is playing at the Cort Theatre (138 West 48th Street).

The show features Arnie Burton (Man #2), Jennifer Ferrin (Annabella Schmidt/Pamela/Margaret), Sam Robards (Richard Hannay) and Cliff Saunders (Man #1).  The company also includes Rob Breckenridge, Claire Brownell and Cameron Folmar.  On October 28, Jeffrey Kuhn and Francesca Faridany join the company, replacing Cliff Saunders and Jennifer Ferrin, respectively.

Mix Alfred Hitchcock's cinematic masterpiece with a juicy spy novel. Then, add the manic dash of vintage Monty Python and you have THE 39 STEPS – equal parts hilarious whodunit, espionage thriller and quick-change comedy, adapted for the stage from Hitchcock's famous 1935 film and John Buchan's 1915 novel.

Seeking a frivolous night out at the theatre, Richard Hannay is lured into a world of intrigue by a mysterious woman claiming to be a spy. When she winds up dead in his flat, he flees London with the police hot on his trail.  

The production features sets and costumes by Peter McKintosh, lighting by Kevin Adams and sound by Mic Pool.   Dialect coach is Stephen Gabis.  Original movement created by Toby Sedgwick.  Additional movement created by Christopher Bayes.  Production management is by Aurora Productions.  Production stage manager is Nevin Hedley.

THE 39 STEPS has been a runaway hit in London's West End, playing to sell-out houses at the Criterion where it continues to delight and thrill audiences.  The first production of THE 39 STEPS was directed by Fiona Buffini and produced on stage by North Country Theatre in April 1996 at the Georgian Theatre, Richmond, North Yorkshire.  THE 39 STEPS received its American debut at the Huntington Theatre Company in Boston, MA.

THE 39 STEPS is produced by Bob Boyett, Harriet Newman Leve/Ron Nicynski, Stewart F. Lane/Bonnie Comley, Manocherian Golden Prods., Olympus Theatricals/Douglas Denoff, Pam Laudenslager/Pat Addiss, Tim Levy/Remmel T. Dickinson, Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director; Harold Wolpert, Managing Director; Julia Levy, Executive Director), Huntington Theatre Company (Nicholas Martin, Artistic Director; Michael Maso, Managing Director) and Edward Snape for Fiery Angel Ltd.  Associate producer is Marek J. Cantor.

Tickets are available from TeleCharge at 212-239-6200, online at www.telecharge.com or at the Cort Theatre box office (138 West 48th Street, between Sixth and Seventh Avenues).   39 tickets at $39 are available at every performance.  Performances are Tuesday at 7:00 PM, Wednesday through Saturday at 8:00 PM, with matinees Wednesday and Saturday at 2:00 PM, Sunday at 3:00 PM.

www.39StepsOnBroadway.com

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