THE 39 STEPS Comes To The Mandell Weiss Theatre 8/11-9/13

La Jolla Playhouse is pleased to present The 39 Steps, directed by Maria Aitken and adapted for the stage by Patrick Barlow, based on an original concept by Simon Corble and Nobby Dimon, based on the book by John Buchan. The production will run August 11 - September 13 in the Mandell Weiss Theatre (media night: Sunday August 16 at 7:00 pm). The 39 Steps will make its West Coast premiere at La Jolla Playhouse and Seattle Repertory Theatre before starting on a national tour.

The Tony and Olivier Award-winning The 39 Steps is a thrilling, fast-paced whodunit packed with nonstop laughs and delightfully inventive staging. 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 show 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 New York Times raved, "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."

"This runaway Broadway hit offers a riotous take on Hitchcock's classic film, spinning four virtuoso performances and wonderfully inventive stagecraft into a highly entertaining comedy thriller," said Playhouse Artistic Director Christopher Ashley.

The cast features Claire Brownell as "Annabella Schmidt/Pamela/Margaret," Ted Deasy as "Richard Hannay," Eric Hissom as "Man #1" and Scott Parkinson as "Man #2."

The production team includes Maria Aitken, director; Peter McKintosh, scenic/costume designer; Kevin Adams, lighting designer; and Mic Pool, sound designer.

Performance times for The 39 Steps are Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 7:30 pm; Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm; and Sundays at 7:00pm. Matinees are held on Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00pm. Single ticket prices range from $30 to $65. Tickets are currently available by calling The Playhouse Box Office at (858) 550-1010 or online at www.lajollaplayhouse.org.