Mix a Hitchcock masterpiece with a juicy spy novel, add a dash of Monty Python and you have THE 39 STEPS, a fast-paced whodunit for anyone who loves the magic of theatre! This 2-time Tony® and Drama Desk Award-winning comedy is packed with nonstop laughs, over 150 zany characters (played by a ridiculously talented cast of 4), an on-stage plane crash, handcuffs, missing fingers and some good old-fashioned romance!

In THE 39 STEPS, a man with a boring life meets a woman with a thick accent who says she’s a spy. When he takes her home, she is murdered. Soon, a mysterious organization called “The 39 Steps” is hot on the man’s trail in a nationwide manhunt that climaxes in a death-defying finale! A riotous blend of virtuoso performances and wildly inventive stagecraft, THE 39 STEPS amounts to an unforgettable evening of pure pleasure! Run Time: 2 hours, includes a 15-minutes intermission Recommended for those age 10 and older.

RAVE Reviews for ‘The 39 Steps’!

“roars of laughter spoke volumes…a can’t-miss show!!!”
– Mitch Metz, CLTBlog.com
Read Mitch’s Full Review

“…a frenzied celebration of make-believe.”
– Elizabeth Bertrand, Examiner.com
Read Elizabeth’s Full Review

 “…strikes a zany note from end to end…”
– Lawrence Toppman, The Charlotte Observer
Read Larry’s Full Review

MEET THE PRODUCTION TEAM

Patrick Barlow (Adaptor) wrote the libretto for the JUDGMENT OF PARIS for the Covent Garden Venture (music by John Woorich) and REQUIEM FOR A RELATIONSHIP for the Gogmagog Theatre Company. His film and television writing includes: THE GROWING PAINS OF ADRIAN MOLE, THE GHOST OF FAFFNER HALL, SCARFE OF SEX, MIGHTY MOMENTS FROM WORLD HISTORY, THE MESSIAH, THE TRUE ADVENTURES OF CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS, QUEEN OF THE EAST, VAN GOGH (Prix Futura Berlin Film Festival), MASSIVE LANDMARKS FROM THE TWENTIETH CENTURY and THE YOUNG VISITERS adapted from the novel by Daisy Ashford, starring Jim Broadbent and Hugh Laurie. His radio writing includes: THE COMPLEAT LIFE AND WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE and THE COMPLETE AND UTTER HISTORY OF THE MONA LISA (Sony Gold Award for Best Comedy and the New York Festival Gold Award for Best Comedy.) Patrick won an Olivier Award and What’s Onstage Award for Best New Comedy for his adaptation of THE 39 STEPS.

Chip Decker (Director) was born and raised in the Green Mountains of Vermont and has lived in Texas, North Dakota and North Carolina. Chip joined Actor’s Theatre in 1996 and became Artistic Director in 2002. In addition to acting in our productions of DARK RAPTURE, STUMPS, ZARA SPOOK & OTHER LURES, BUG, THE REDUCED SHAKESPEARE’S “ABRIDGED” plays and RABBIT HOLE, Chip received MTA’s Best Supporting Actor award for his portrayal of Michael in ATC’s multi-award winning drama, THE PILLOWMAN. Also, he received Creative Loafing’s Best Director (Comedy) Award for our production of WONDER OF THE WORLD, as well as sharing Theatre Person of the Year honors. He also directed the apocalyptic comedy END DAYS, the sexually-charged MY FIRST TIME, the hilarious new farce SOUTHERN RAPTURE, the blood-filled comedy THE LIEUTENANT OF INISHMORE, the popular POLISH JOKE that opened our 2005-2006 season, THE OLDEST PROFESSION, and THE SANTALAND DIARIES. Chip would like to thank his favorite scene partner of nearly 17 years, his wife, Taffy.

MEET THE CAST

Dave Blamy (Hannay) is exceptionally pleased to be back on the Actor’s Theatre stage. The last time he performed at Actor’s Theatre he was hanging upside down and being tortured as “James” in THE LIEUTENANT OF INISHMORE, and before that he was berated in THE SCENE. Dave also recently appeared in the Blumenthal PAC’s presentation of EMBRACEABLE ME, and was the director of Theatre Charlotte’s production of BILOXI BLUES. Dave is so honored to be included in such an extraordinary group of artists creating this crazy play! Thank you to Chip, Dan, Carrie, and the whole cast and crew. Also, thank you, the audience, for supporting live local theatre. And finally, thank you to Jen, Austyn, and Elle. Oh, and my dermatologist…but that’s another story!

Rory Dunn (Clown #1) has been performing all over the country: from Montana to Tennessee, Pennsylvania to Florida, since graduating in 2006 with a BFA in Musical Theatre from Catawba College in Salisbury NC. Rory has been fortunate to play many wonderful parts and work with some amazing people. His favorite roles include Jud Fry in OKLAHOMA!, Bottom in a MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM and the title role in SWEENEY TODD. He was last seen in the area as Stanley Yelnats in Children’s Theatre’s production of HOLES. Rory is very excited to make his debut with Actor’s Theatre Charlotte in THE 39 STEPS. Rory invites you to visit his website at www.RoryDunn.com.

Greg McGrath (Clown #2) is originally from New York, and was then transplanted to Charlotte. This is his eighth show at ATC, and he is very grateful to them for inviting him back to work with this wonderful cast and production team. He appeared in every season at ATC from 1995 through 2002, where his acting credits include ESCAPE FROM HAPPINESS, THE FOOD CHAIN, JUNGLE ROT, THE COMPLETE HISTORY OF AMERICA (ABRIDGED), THE CRIPPLE OF INISHMAAN, THE BIBLE (THE COMPLETE WORD OF GOD), and BOOK OF DAYS. He left Charlotte in 2002 to pursue formal training in the MFA Acting program at Illinois State (MFA Conferred – 2004), and since then his acting credits include THE CRUCIBLE, PENTECOST, ARMS AND THE MAN, AMADEUS, KING LEAR, HAMLET, WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF, AS YOU LIKE IT, ALL THE GREAT BOOKS (ABRIDGED), CYRANO DE BERGERAC, and BEAST ON THE MOON. He lives in the scenic north Georgia mountains with his beautiful and talented wife Dr. Rachel Chaves, who teaches theater at Young Harris College, and his favorite scene partner, his two-year-old daughter Eulalie. He’s forever grateful to his parents for their unending support.

Maret Seitz (Annabella Schmidt/Pamela/Margaret) is thrilled to be back on stage at Actor’s Theatre after singing, dancing and acting her way through their recent production of FIVE COURSE LOVE. Originally from Pittsburgh, PA, Maret is a recent graduate of Davidson College having majored in theatre. There, she was awarded the Rawley Turner Award for Outstanding Female Performance of the Year for Meg in LEADING LADIES. She appeared as Corie in Davidson Community Players Production of BAREFOOT IN THE PARK (in which her performance was nominated for Creative Loafing’s “Best Actress in a Comedy”). As well, Maret was nominated for “Newcomer of the Year” by Creative Loafing for her roles in BAREFOOT IN THE PARK and TARTUFFE. Other favorite shows include COMPANY (Amy), HAMLET (in which her performance was nominated for an MTA “Outstanding Cameo” Award), BE AGGRESSIVE, THE BEAR, and ANYTHING GOES. This production of THE 39 STEPS has been non-stop fun and an unforgettable experience – a special thank you to Chip and Dan.

Opening Night Sponsors

Season 22 Sponsors

Official Print Media Sponsor

OPENING NIGHT: Wednesday, September 15th at 7:30pm reception immediately following the performance Join us for the Opening Night of The 39 Steps and enjoy an evening of fabulous theatre and complimentary hors d’oeuvres, beer and wine. Catering provided by Dilworth Neighborhood Grille and beverages provided compliments of Today’s Charlotte Woman.

Cost: FREE, with purchase of ticket

TALKBACK THURSDAYS: Thursdays during the run of the show immediately following the performance Have a burning question after seeing the show and want an answer from the artists involved? Then stick around after the show on Thursdays for a facilitated talkback with the cast and director of The 39 Steps.

Cost: FREE

SINGLES NIGHT: Friday, September 17th at 8:00pm Interested in seeing the show ? Want to come alone or with friends that are paying individually? Then join us on Singles Night, where you get a $5 discount when you by an individual ticket for yourself. Please call the Box Office (704) 342-2251 ext.21 to receive this special discount.

PAY WHAT YOU CAN NIGHT: Wednesday, September 22nd at 7:30pm Looking for a jolly good time but don’t have a wad of cash lying around? ‘Pay What You Can’ is the ticket for you because we will accept any amount you give us for a ticket, whether it’s $1 or $20 (a $10 donation is recommended per ticket). No advanced reservations accepted. Tickets sold beginning at 6:30p the date of performance and are sold until we sell out. Cash, check and major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX) accepted. Maximum of four tickets per person. Line begins forming between 5:30 – 6:00p. Performances typically sell out.