THE 39 STEPS Ends Run at Helen Hayes Theatre on January 10

Alfred Hitchcock's THE 39 STEPS, Broadway's longest running comedy, will conclude its Tony Award-winning two year run on January 10, 2010, when it will play its final performance at the Helen Hayes Theatre. The production will have played 771 performances - the longest running Broadway play in seven years.

THE 39 STEPS received its American premiere in September, 2007 at the Huntington Theatre Company in Boston. The Broadway premiere began previews on January 4, 2008, officially opening on January 15 at Roundabout Theatre Company's American Airlines Theatre. The show moved to the Cort Theatre on April 29, 2008 and then to the Helen Hayes Theatre on January 21, 2009.

THE 39 STEPS is now in its third smash year in London. A US national tour kicks off in November at the Shubert Theatre in New Haven, following engagements at the La Jolla Playhouse and Seattle Rep.

Adapted by Patrick Barlow and directed by Maria Aitken, THE 39 STEPS 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.