The 39 Steps - Wow

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 6/2/08 at 6:29pm

We saw it yesterday & really enjoyed it

There were some empty seats in the mezzanine. The orchestra looked full. The performers are first rate & it is one of the most inventive, original & flat out entertaining shows in a long time. The four performers are all first rate & you marvel at how everything falls into place .

This is a great homage to Hitchcock. There are many mentions & small parodies of favorite Hitch movies. The escape of the lead across the Scottish lake is absolute genius

It is one of the best & most entertaining shows I have seen in many a day.

[suicidalmickeymouse]

Posted: 6/2/08 at 6:30pm

Thanks for the review!

[EugLoven]

Posted: 6/2/08 at 6:35pm

Yeah, it's pretty f*ckin' awesome.

I repeat: It's shows like this why the Tonys should have a Best Ensemble category! While The 39 Steps has been multi-nominated, it's chances of winning seem slim compared to its competition. But those 4-actors are like glue and excruciatingly talented.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 6/2/08 at 6:40pm

Exactly.

They are like a well oiled machine . One misstep anywhere by any of them & the whole thing is thrown off.

I would love to see this recorded & for sale to the public or possibly broadcast on cable.

Updated On: 6/2/08 at 06:40 PM

[Eastwickian]

Posted: 6/2/08 at 6:52pm

Loved The 39 Steps when I saw it London and agree that it should be preserved on film in some way (though maybe the 'staginess' it revels in may get lost in translation?). There's also a similarly low-tech take on Brief Encounter playing here the moment as well. It's not a parody/comedy like 39 Steps, but has the same 'feel' and is hugely enjoyable.

There's footage at the link below - click on 'view trailer' in the top right corner...

http://www.seebriefencounter.com/ Updated On: 6/2/08 at 06:52 PM

[Rotel1026]

Posted: 6/2/08 at 8:06pm

They were selling some CD at the merchandise stand when I saw it, does anyone know what was on it? I didn't get a chance to ask. Great show, I hope it sticks around for awhile.

[verynewyorkcurious]

Posted: 6/2/08 at 8:45pm

It is the soundtrack to the play.

I enjoyed The 39 Steps very much when I saw it at the American Airlines Theatre. I thought it was super creative and completely enjoyable. The cast is indeed great.
The 39 Steps Soundtrack

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 6/2/08 at 9:13pm

Yeah but that's like all the prerecorded music they use in the show.

[Mealz1042]

Posted: 6/2/08 at 9:49pm

i certainly enjoyed the show, I was extremely tired though and by myself, so i didnt truly get into it until the 2nd act, but it was very amusing and very cute. I got my tickets at TKTS, probably wouldn't have paid full price. I would definitely reccomend it though.

[kooky]

Posted: 6/2/08 at 11:06pm

Loved it !

[CapnHook]

Posted: 6/3/08 at 12:07am

I thought the performances and direction were all TOP NOTCH. The show, however, I had trouble liking. Perhaps it just wasn't my thing. I have only seen two Hitchcock films...perhaps if I were more familar with his work I would have enjoyed myself more.

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 6/3/08 at 12:17am

I walked out at intermission. But it wasn't the show's fault. While it was at The AA Theater, I had a lot of problems with Roundabout.

Really should go to The Cort and check this out again.

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 6/3/08 at 12:33am

Thanks so, so much for your thoughts!

I'm SO STOKED to see this on the 19th. Cannot wait!

[verynewyorkcurious]

Posted: 6/3/08 at 12:34am

iluvtheatertrash, what happened at the American Airlines Theatre?

[mallardo]

Posted: 6/3/08 at 1:00am

I have to say I had the opposite reaction. The show seemed terminally silly and schoolboy-ish. If you're impressed by actors doing multiple characters and letting you know - nudge nudge wink wink - how hard they're working, then I guess you'll like it. But there's no content to it whatsoever.

[Mealz1042]

Posted: 6/3/08 at 2:29am

... it is a farse, what did you expect?

[bschneid76]

Posted: 6/3/08 at 7:26am

Yeah, that is how a farce is played. It's a terrific play with a great homage to the master of suspense. Captn, you should see all of his films. He is one of the best film directors ever. And it is one of the most entertaining shows on Broadway. I am seeing it again next week.

[Gypsy9]

Posted: 6/3/08 at 7:44am

I wish I lived in or near NYC so I could see this show. I am a huge fan of Alfred Hitchcock's films, and have seen just about all of them. I love re-watching them. Somehow knowing how they are going to end doesn't spoil my enjoyment of them, because of Hitchcock's genius. I recently bought the 1935 film THE THIRTY NINE STEPS on Amazon and, although the print is poor, the content is wonderful. I especially loved the scenes of the Firth of Forth Railroad Bridge in Scotland, not far from Edinburgh. Years ago when I visited Scotland I made a side trip to the site of this incredible bridge and took lots of pictures, trying to simulate Hitchcock! LOL

How long do you think this show will be on Broadway? My next trip to NYC isn't until December.

[keen on kean]

Posted: 6/3/08 at 9:01am

The American Airlines Theater seemed a tad too big for a modest show. I enjoyed it very much although it seemed a little long. The best scene was the train trip to Scotland.

[mallardo]

Posted: 6/3/08 at 11:09am

Boeing Boeing is a farce. The 39 Steps is not a farce. It's a parody and not a very good one. IMO, of course.

[Smaxie]

Posted: 6/3/08 at 11:41am

>But there's no content to it whatsoever.<

I disagree with this... strongly. It hasn't really been mentioned in this thread, but more than being a stage version of a famous film, The 39 Steps is about the art of making theatre out of nothing, with the barest of props and costumes. For that reason, I think it celebrates the very nature of theatre itself, and how theatrical imagination and ingenuity can still triumph over what a film can accomplish.

I'm going to borrow a line from Brantley... not to beat his opinion into anyone's head, but because he describes what this show does so beautifully: "[Director Maria] Aitken and company are using their cinematic template to celebrate the art of instant illusion-making that is theater. Much of the show’s pleasure comes from being in on the magician's tricks even as, on some primitive level, you accept them. 'The 39 Steps' stands out for its plying of minimal resources to maximal effect... With its cast of four and a brick-wall-backed set, this show flies lightly into an ether of escapism, while its over-produced peers remain stuck leadenly on the ground."

[Okayfine]

Posted: 6/3/08 at 12:16pm

Smaxie - that's a perfect quotation to use - I agree w/ Brantley wholeheartedly. This is a brilliant show - very silly & very clever at the same time. Terrific fun, esp. for people who are involved with the creation of theatre.

[thatgirl712]

Posted: 6/3/08 at 12:35pm

I'm glad that everyone is enjoying this show!

[Mealz1042]

Posted: 6/3/08 at 12:48pm

well then it is a farcical parody... But i would still consider it farce.

[Dre2387]

Posted: 6/3/08 at 12:49pm

I saw it and loved the staging, acting, ensemble feeling, and the set. but I didn't really like the plot. I know few Hitchcock movies, but I don't feel I knew enough to get most of the parodies that went on in the play, so I missed most of the jokes. and to turn a serious piece of literature/movie into a funny play could work, but i feel it didn't quite hit there mark here.

but I was most impressed with the staging. brilliant use of minimal set and minimal actors.