The NY Times, The LA Times, Variety & San Diego Union Tribune Feature Articles About THE 39 STEPS

Alfred Hitchcock's THE 39 STEPS, Broadway's longest running play, is making headlines this week on both coasts.

The Broadway production, now in its second smash year, continues to delight audiences at the Helen Hayes Theatre (240 West 44th Street). On Sunday, August 16, a second company opened to rave reviews at the La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego, CA. That production plays through September 13, before proceeding to Seattle Repertory Theatre where it will play from September 25-October 25, prior to a national tour, launching on November 5 at the Shubert Theatre in New Haven, CT.

On August 17th The New York Times featured an article titled "39 Steps: Unlikely Broadway Survivor" by Patricia Cohen.

It begins "The 1,000-watt celebrities have either gone home or on vacation. The enriching revivals from canonical playwrights have finished their runs, and the Tony winners have packed up their trophies. Starting on Monday there will be just one nonmusical on Broadway: "Alfred Hitchcock's The 39 Steps." This joyously wacky four-person show has endured cast changes, runs in three different Broadway theaters and a recession, outlasting pretty much every other straight play without the benefit of elaborate sets or well-known stars."

To read the full article click: here

On August 17th The Los Angeles Times featured an article by Charles McNulty titled "Theater Review: The 39 Steps At The La Jolla Playhouse."

It begins ""The 39 Steps," Alfred Hitchcock's 1935 rush of cinematic adrenaline, is an alternating sequence of daring seductions and hair-breadth escapes. The movie, based on John Buchan's book, is indeed an absolute frenzy of fugitive motion, masterfully guided by a director whose risk-taking style and astringent human vision never failed to bring viewers to The Edge of the cliff."

To read the full review click: here

On August 17th Variety featured a review by Bob Verini titled "Review: The 39 Steps."

It begins: Alfred Hitchcock announced that his 1935 spy yarn "The 39 Steps" was "out to give the public good, healthy, mental shakeups," because society had become so drowsy, "We cannot appreciate sufficient thrills at first hand." Seventy-five years and innumerable first-hand mental shakeups later, the belly laughs of Patrick Barlow's live adaptation are positively restorative."

To read the complete review, click: here

On August 18th the San Diego Union Tribune featured an article by James Hebert titled "Cast Goes the Extra Mile In '39 Steps'"

It begins "If the title "The 39 Steps" weren't already taken, it might make a can't-miss concept for some trendy rehab program targeting hard-case celebs. ("When 12 steps are only 30.8 percent enough ...")

As it happens, "Alfred Hitchcock's The 39 Steps" - the full title of the sly spy romp that just opened at La Jolla Playhouse - is its own kind of show-biz rehab job. And it's a treatment that works some wonders."

To read the complete review, click: here