Hitchcock Meets Hilarious In THE 39 STEPS At Florida Rep

Hitchcock Meets Hilarious in THE 39 STEPS at Florida Rep!

Florida Repertory Theatre announced the opening of its funny, comic thriller, Alfred Hitchcock's The 39 Steps.

Running Feb. 4-26 with previews Feb. 1-3, the play recreates the 1935 film onstage as just four actors play 250 roles. One of the hottest titles in America, the Tony and Drama Desk winning comedy just ended a record-breaking, three-year New York run last month.

The 39 Steps combines Hitchcock with hilarious, and is a fast-paced whodunit for anyone who loves the magic of theatre. The New York Times called it "Absurdly Enjoyable! Theater at its finest!" In 2008, it took Broadway by storm with six Tony nominations, two wins, and became an instant sensation in New York and across the country, running for a remarkable 1,135 performances.

"This really is one of the most fun, most exciting and certainly one of the funniest plays I've ever seen," said Florida Rep Producing Artistic Director, Robert Cacioppo, "audiences will watch as we bring the classic film to life onstage scene by scene - with fights on top of trains and airplanes chasing our hero! The only difference is that four actors play all the roles. It is a truly exhilarating experience to be in the audience for this play."

The production features an all-star cast that includes Deanna Gibson, Spencer Plachy, Brad DePlanche and BranDon Roberts. A Florida Rep regular, Gibson was last seen in Dial 'M' for Murder and Boeing-Boeing, and joins three actors making their Florida Rep debut. Plachy comes to Florida Rep from New York and has been seen with theatres across the country, including The Alley Theatre and Pennsylvania Shakespeare. Both DePlanche and Roberts are Orlando-based actors who've worked extensively with Orlando Shakespeare Theatre. DePlanche's work with other theatres includes Actors Theatre of Louisville, the Hangar Theatre, B Street Theatre, and many more. In addition to being a performer, Roberts is the co-founder and Artistic Director of Orlando's PB&J Theatre Factory which produces all-original, all-silent, physical comedy shows.

The 39 Steps was co-produced with Orlando Shakespeare Theatre in Partnership with UCF, and that company's Artistic Director, Jim Helsinger, directs this production. Helsinger is joined by an accomplished creative team that includes some of the top talent from both Florida Rep's and Orlando Shakespeare's ensemble of theatre artists. Florida Rep regulars Ray Recht (Sylvia; Dancing at Lughnasa) and Jim Hunter (Noises Off; The Big Bang) serve as set designer and lighting designer for the co-production, while Orlando Shakespeare provides their resident costume and sound designers, Denise R. Warner and Britt Sandusky. Orlando-based Andrea Herbert is the production stage manager.

The 39 Steps was adapted by Patrick Barlow from the novel by John Buchan and the film by Alfred Hitchcock, and plays at Florida Rep Feb 4-26, with nearly sold out discounted previews on Feb. 1 at 8pm, Feb. 2 at 2pm and Feb. 3 at 8pm. Regular performances are Tuesday - Saturday at 8pm, with matinees on Wednesdays, Sundays, and selected Saturdays at 2pm. The run also features a Special 7pm Twilight Performance on Sunday Feb. 6.

The 39 Steps is sponsored by Naomi Bloom & Ron Wallace and Northern Trust Bank.

Subscriptions and single tickets are now on sale through the box office at 239-332-4488. Single tickets are priced at $44/$39 and $25/$20 for discounted previews. Subscribe Now and see 4 shows for just $99 with Florida Rep's popular Rush Pass.

Florida Repertory Theatre performs in the Historic Arcade Theatre on Bay St. between Jackson & Hendry with free parking in the Fort Myers River District. Visit Florida Rep online at www.floridarep.org or on facebook at facebook.com/FloridaRep.

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Currently spending his time between New York and Florida, Beau was born to a theatrical family in Brooklyn. He studied drama at the Lee Strasberg Theater Institute and at HB Studios. He studied theater singing with Julia Sperratore and Helen Gallagher. Beau later taught drama at the Lincoln Center Square for the Arts. It was at this time Beau began working with the Theater Development Fund and helped found New York's famed HALF PRICE TICKET BOOTH. Early in his career, Beau was screen tested and contracted for Warner Brothers. He co-hosted, an early cable variety series on Manhattan's Teleprompter channel. At this time he directed the Johnny Specca musical, SEX IS..? at the Lincoln Center Library Theater. Beau has performed Off-Broadway in FAT FELL DOWN, The Comic Strip Theater's LITTLE LULU AND THE INVISIBLE INK and WILL THE REAL ZOOPERMAN PLEASE STAND UP. Around the country he has delighted audiences with his performances in ANYTHING GOES, THE APPLE TREE, GUYS & DOLLS, and HELLZAPOPPIN! He sang for New York audiences at such cabarets as The Duplex and Upstairs at the Downstairs. He has had numerous television appearances but is most proud to have been a winning contestant on the game shows JACKPOT and THE $20,000 PYRAMID.

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