Broadway's 39 Steps Welcomes Sam Robards July 8
By Andrew Gans
and Kenneth Jones
08 Jul 2008
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39 Steps' Sam Robards
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Sam Robards plays the man who doesn't know too much — the starchy, chased Britisher Richard Hannay — in the Broadway comedy The 39 Steps starting July 8.
British actor Charles Edwards originated the role of Hannay, a tweedy innocent who is chased all over Great Britain by three other performers who play a population of villains, lovers, strangers and friends. Edwards, who also created the role of Hannay in the Olivier Award-winning London production, played his final Broadway performance July 6.
The production also features Arnie Burton (Man #2), Jennifer Ferrin (Annabella Schmidt/Pamela/Margaret) and Cliff Saunders (Man #1). The company also includes Claire Brownell, Cameron Fulmar and Mark Shanahan.
Robards received Tony Award and Drama Desk nominations and a Clarence Derwent Award for his Broadway debut in the Roundabout Theatre Company's production of Arthur Miller's The Man Who Had All The Luck. He also appeared on Broadway in MTC's Absurd Person Singular. Off-Broadway credits include The Overwhelming, Misalliance (Roundabout), The Altruists (Vineyard), Moonchildren, Flux (Second Stage), Album (Cherry Lane) and Taking Steps (York). His films credits include "Perestroika," "Guerilla," "Awake," "Surviving Eden," "Catch That Kid," "Life as a House," "A.I.," "Bounce," "American Beauty," "Beautiful Girls," "Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle," "Pret-A-Porter," Casualties of War," "Bird" and more.
The critically acclaimed Alfred Hitchcock-inspired show, which was nominated for six 2008 Tony Awards including Best Play, moved to the Cort Theatre following an acclaimed run at the American Airlines Theatre earlier this year. The production won two Tonys (Best Lighting Design and Best Sound Design) as well as two Drama Desk Awards, including Unique Theatrical Event.
The 39 Steps is adapted by Patrick Barlow and directed by Maria Aitken. The production is based on an original concept by Simon Corble and Nobby Dimon and on the book by John Buchan.
Here's how producers explain the experience: "Mix Alfred Hitchcock's cinematic masterpiece with a juicy spy novel. Then, add the manic dash of vintage Monty Python and you have The 39 Steps — equal parts hilarious whodunit, espionage thriller and quick-change comedy, adapted for the stage from Hitchcock's famous 1935 film and John Buchan's 1915 novel. 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 production features sets and costumes by Peter McKintosh, lighting by Kevin Adams and sound by Mic Pool. Dialect coach is Stephen Gabis. Original movement was created by Toby Sedgwick. Additional movement created was by Christopher Bayes. Production management is by Aurora Productions. Production stage manager is Nevin Hedley.
The production received its American debut at the Huntington Theatre Company in Boston, MA, Sept. 14-Oct. 14, 2007. The Broadway premiere began previews on Jan. 4, 2008, and officially opened Jan. 15 at Roundabout Theatre Company's American Airlines Theatre.
The 39 Steps is produced by Bob Boyett, Harriet Newman Leve/Ron Nicynski, Stewart F. Lane/Bonnie Comley, Manocherian Golden Prods., Olympus Theatricals/Douglas Denoff, Pam Laudenslager/Pat Addiss, Roundabout Theatre Company, Huntington Theatre Company and Edward Snape for Fiery Angel Ltd.
For tickets contact TeleCharge.com at (212) 239-6200 or go to the Cort Theatre box office at 138 West 48th Street, between Sixth and Seventh Avenues.
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At every performance, 39 tickets at $39 are available. Performances are Tuesday at 7 PM, Wednesday through Saturday at 8 PM PM, with matinees Wednesday and Saturday at 2 PM, Sunday at 3 PM.
Visit www.39StepsonBroadway.com.
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