Moonbox Productions presents the Hilarious Comic Thriller THE 39 STEPS

Moonbox Productions, nominated for numerous IRNE and Elliot Norton Awards, is thrilled to present the hilarious comic thriller, The 39 Steps, by Patrick Barlow and John Buchan. Produced by Sharman Altshuler and directed by IRNE and Norton nominated Director, Allison Olivia Choat, The 39 Steps opens on November 17th and runs through December 9th at the Boston Center for the Arts Plaza Theater, 539 Tremont Street, Boston. Performances are Thursdays at 7:30 pm, Fridays/Saturdays at 8 pm, Sat/Sun matinees 2 pm. Tickets are $50/$40 ($25 for under 25 and $20 student rush ½ hour prior to performance) available at bostontheatrescene.com or by calling 617-933-8600. (*Press performances Saturday November 18 at 8pm and Sunday November 19 at 2pm.)

Alfred Hitchcock and Monty Python collide in this hilarious, madcap spy-melodrama-turned-comedy. Richard Hannay is just an ordinary man living a quiet life... until he meets Annabella Schmidt, a beautiful woman with a mysterious past. When Annabella is murdered in his apartment, Richard becomes the target of both a nationwide manhunt and a nefarious ring of spies. Meet a cast of more than 150 characters (played by just four actors), witness a series of death-defying leaps (all from short distances), and behold a myriad of dazzling special effects (on a limited budget) in this unforgettable tale that makes both adventure and romance more absurdly enjoyable than ever before.

The play's concept calls for the entirety of the 1935 adventure film The 39 Steps, with a cast of over 150 characters, to be performed by only four actors. In Moonbox Productions' presentation, Kevin Cirone* plays the hero Richard Hannay, Sarah Gazdowicz plays the three women with whom he has romantic entanglements, and Bob Mussett and Matthew Zahnzinger play every other character in the show: heroes, villains, men, women, children and even the occasional inanimate object!! This often requires special lighting, fast costume changes and occasionally for the actors to play multiple characters at once. The result is a great piece of theatrical fun that will keep you laughing and on the edge of your seat throughout the entire performance.

As with each show, Moonbox Productions partners with a local non-profit giving them visibility on their website and in their promotional materials, as well as giving them access to their audiences in order to raise awareness of their cause, create connections within the community, and increase the reach and impact of their work. For the production of The 39 Steps, Moonbox will be partnering with Y2Y Harvard Square. Y2Y Harvard Square is the nation's first student run homeless shelter for young adults. The organization employs a youth-to-youth model to provide a safe and affirming environment for young adults experiencing homelessness. Y2Y guests have opportunities to collaborate with service providers, other youth experiencing homelessness, and student volunteers to create sustainable pathways out of homelessness and develop skills for long-term success. Y2Y provides opportunities for both guests and volunteers to become the next generation's leading advocates for youth-driven solutions to homelessness.

"We are all so thrilled to be bringing The 39 Steps back to Boston," said Sharman Altshuler, Producer and Artistic Director for Moonbox Productions. "This is one of my favorite shows because it is not only a gripping suspense story, but it is also absolutely hilarious. Patrick Barlow's script is brilliant, and the fact that the show is done with only 4 actors, very little set, a whole bunch of props, and STILL keeps you on the edge of your seat, is really the purest essence of what theater is all about. It's an unforgettable show!" said Altshuler. "We are also very excited to be partnering with Y2Y Harvard Square. This organization is making a deep impact on homelessness in our community, bringing support, services and hope to struggling young adults."

The creative and design team include Sharman Altshuler (Producer), Allison Olivia Choat (Director), Arthur Gomez (Assistant Director), Jo Williams (Production Manager), Sam Biondolillo (Assistant Production Manager) Amy Lehrmitt (Stage Manager), Emily Cuerdon (Assistant Stage Manager), Brian Melcher (Tech Director), John Devlin (Set Designer), Jeffrey E. Salzberg (Lighting Designer), Erica Desautels (Costume Designer/Wardrobe), Dan Costello (Sound Designer), Emily Rosser (Props Designer), Lauren Scattolini (Master Electrician).

To purchase tickets to The 39 Steps go to http://www.bostontheatrescene.com . To make an additional donation to support the work of Moonbox, go to http://www.razoo.com/story/Moonbox-Productions.

Moonbox Productions was founded in 2011 by Producer/Artistic Director Sharman Altshuler. Based in Harvard Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Moonbox is dedicated to supporting local arts and local artists, and to connecting communities to the non-profit organizations that serve them. To fulfill their artistic mission, Moonbox taps the deep well of talent within their own communities to bring top quality theatrical experiences to stages throughout the Greater Boston area. To fulfill their social mission, they partner with a local non-profit organization for each show, giving them visibility on their website and in their promotional materials, as well as giving them access to their audiences in order to raise awareness of their cause, create connections within the community, and increase the reach and impact of their work.

* Appears by special arrangement with Actors' Equity Association

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