January 2010

Dear Subscriber:

I HOPE THE HOLIDAY SEASON was one of joy for you and your family. We were thrilled to have such an enthusiastic response to A Christmas Story. It turned out to be the best selling show in our history, and what makes that so wonderful is that there were many people visiting The Rep for the very first time. There were also lots of kids coming to see the show, many who were being introduced to live theatre at The Rep. Hopefully, some of these audience members will become subscribers in the future. It was a remarkable, festive and gratifying time in the theatre.

THE NEW YEAR BEGINS with as clever a piece of theatre as you will ever see, Patrick Barlow’s The 39 Steps. In this fast-paced, action-filled comedy, four actors are portraying about 150 roles. We are pleased to be the first regional theatre to produce the show; it is rare to be able to get the rights to a show that is still running on Broadway. Though that production is closing soon, the London production keeps on running.

IF YOU’RE A FAN of the great filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock, you’ve probably seen or at least heard of a movie version of The 39 Steps. One thing that makes the stage version so special is that Barlow took the Hitchcock film and created a send-up of the mystery thriller. If you’ve seen the movie, you will be amazed at how the play follows it pretty directly, except that the play is wildly funny and pokes lots of fun at the very serious Hitchcock film. Of course, there are references to other Hitchcock films of note during the play. After all, when you’re working with the “master of suspense,” it’s impossible to adapt one of his creations for the stage without including bits of his genius. The characters are played to their extremes, and there are very inventive uses of stage conventions. Be prepared to laugh and to be amazed at the brilliance of the cast as they create this whole story.

WHILE THE 39 STEPS is perhaps best known by American audiences as a Hitchcock film, actually it was first a novel by jack-of-all-trades John Buchan. At times a lawyer, historian, biographer, novelist and statesman, Buchan dabbled in many pursuits. Born in 1875, the Scot was educated at Oxford and planned on a career as a successful barrister. He easily found chambers after graduation; however, his law career was soon interrupted by a call to service in the Boer War, and he traveled to South Africa as personal secretary to the High Commissioner. Through all of his adventures, Buchan wrote for his own pleasure, amassing a collection of novels and short stories, though never actually pursuing writing as a career. This all changed when he authored the first of what he called “shockers,” a thrilling spy mystery called The Thirty-Nine Steps. Full of daring feats, cross-country chases and sudden surprises, the book was an immediate success, quickly becoming an influential work in the genre and attractive source material for fans such as Hitchcock.

IN 1935, with Buchan’s blessing, Hitchcock created the first film adaptation of the novel. He kept the basic plotline and the main character, Richard Hannay, but from there the similarities end. With no notable female characters in the book, Hitchcock added a love interest. Much of Buchan’s cerebral story didn’t translate well to the screen, so many new action sequences were developed and the climax was changed. Even the title reference to steps, which in Buchan’s novel refers to the number of stairs from the villain’s cliff-top lair, came to describe something new (in the movie, “The 39 Steps” is the name of a secret organization). This massive overhaul of the story essentially created a new work, a second version of The 39 Steps, and one that was barely recognizable to readers of the novel.

TODAY, WE HAVE a third version, the stage version you will see, which blends the novel and the movie. Full of all the intrigue, mystery, comedy and danger that the previous versions provide, this production is even more impressive because it is all accomplished by four supremely talented actors. While the book had the luxury of its readers’ imaginations and the film had the benefit of multiple locales and takes, this play makes it all happen before your very eyes, and will leave you breathlessly rolling in the aisles. It’s delicious fun.

WE ARE SO PLEASED with our creative cast, including Paul DeBoy as the debonair hero, Richard Hannay. Paul was in The Pillowman, A Flea in Her Ear and many more shows for us. Joining him to figure out what The 39 Steps could be are Marina Squerciati, Michael Keyloun and Tyrone Mitchell Henderson, who are going to be very busy indeed. Martha Banta, director of last season’s This Wonderful Life, is directing the show. An inventive design team is supporting the production, including scenic designer James Wolk (This Wonderful Life, A Flea in Her Ear and many more) setting the stage, costume designer Lou Bird (Secret Order) outfitting all the characters and Matt Frey (This Wonderful Life) designing the lights. We are pleased to have been able to work with original sound designer of this show, Mic Pool, with Rep resident sound designer Rusty Wandall adapting the soundscape to our stage.

ON JANUARY 15, we’ll be opening our second Studio Theatre production, [title of show]. We are pleased to be the first regional theatre to produce this piece. Written by Webster University grad (and Rep actor) Hunter Bell, this Tony Award-nominated musical attracted quite a following during its New York run. It’s a sharp and funny look at a quartet of young actors attempting to write a musical. It’s about four friends. It’s about how friendships are tested and changed when life happens, when new opportunities are revealed. It’s about not being afraid to dream out loud. It’s about risk and learning to be true to yourself and to your friends—your chosen family. And it’s about 90 minutes too!

VICTORIA BUSSERT DIRECTS an amazing cast featuring Ben Nordstrom, Benjamin Howes, Stephanie D’Abruzzo (who was the original Kate Monster in Avenue Q) and Amy Justman, with David Horstman as Larry, the musical director. This is a Cinderella story where ultimately dreams are realized. The passions involved in creating a new musical can lead to some adult language and references. We are so thrilled to be able to bring this show to St. Louis and can’t wait to share it with you.

JANUARY IS GOING TO BE vibrant and full of high spirits and good cheer. The cleverness, excitement and mischief on stage are a great way to usher in the New Year.
See you at the theatre,

Steven Woolf
Artistic Director

P.S. Don’t forget our annual Food and Wine Experience at the Chase Park Plaza on January 30 and 31. Please join us for great wine, fascinating food and special demonstrations by celebrity chefs. The doors are open from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday and from noon to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday with lots of fun in store. All proceeds benefit the education and community outreach programs at The Rep. Look for your brochure in the mail.

NEW YORK REPORT: Ragtime is having a strong revival and the show features Bobby Steggert as “Brother” who was the Dauphin in Saint Joan for us. He has been getting fine reviews for his work. The show is rumored to be closing in early January so if you are going to be in New York in the next few weeks, it would be worth taking in. David Mamet’s play Race is provocative with a fine cast, and The Brother/Sister Plays by Tarell McCraney at the Public Theatre are very interesting and often exciting pieces.