Experience
"The 39 Steps" is the best show I have ever seen in my life! It was so amazing to watch three of the actors change roles, especially "Clown No. 1" and "Clown No. 2". These two gentlemen were changing roles so constantly that a few times, they had their hats in their hands and would say one line, switch places and a hat, and then say another line. Other times, their clothes were right behind a prop or piece of scenery, and they would simply duck down, change quickly, put on a hat/wig, and pop up as a completely different character! Before the show, I wondered how a cast of four would play so many different characters. I anticipated many blackouts, pauses and curtain closes. But, I learned that you don't need full costume changes to change your character; simply changing your accent, your expression or even your posture makes a new character.
My favorite character was Mr. Memory. I thought the way he always asked if he was right ("Am I right, sir?") was adorable! He was such a naïve and innocent character that when he was shot I almost cried! I took two of my great friends whom are also interested in theatre with me to the show. We had a wonderful time, and we talked about the show all the way back home. I would love to watch this show again someday, and I know what I learned will help me with my acting. As Mr. Memory says: "THANK YOUUUUUU!" for bringing this award-winning show to Brownsville!
Expectations
I am so excited to watch "The 39 Steps". I have been talking about it to my friends since I realized it was coming up in The Arts Center. I absolutely love theatre and upon reading about this show I expect to see a unique play, something I have never seen before. A cast of only four actors and 150 characters speaks of how much time and effort must have been put into it and how brilliant the actors must be; I have so much respect for them! Since I act, I see this as a learning experience as well. The character changing must be done fast I think by changing costumes so I am so eager to see how they do that without long pauses in between scenes or even within each scene. I know that there is only one lady and three gentlemen in the cast, so I’m especially interested to see that actress changing the roles completely.
I want to read the book, but I will wait till I watch the show; I don’t want to spoil the excitement. For the same reason, I don’t want to watch the movie before the show. I think that those who are doubtful about going to this show should watch the movie before to get some ideas and perhaps become more interested. I think the audience will consist of more adults, but I think those who are interested in theater from different age groups will enjoy it.
Experience
Alfred Hitchcock's "The 39 Steps" was unlike anything I had seen before! The actors were very professional and magnificent in their roles. A quadruple of experts performing the Broadway version of the entire classical film with their own addition of an un-foretold ending after the original movie's conclusion was just an alternative happy epilogue on their part to leave the audience even more astonished by the whole show.
The theatrical play followed the movie exactly how it was shot for the big screen back in the 30s. Of course, this award-worthy thespian art was more of a comedy than a thriller compared to the motion picture which revealed a darker, serious tone rather than focusing on the slapstick humor. There was never a pause of silence throughout all of the crowd's laughter, except during the power outage and intermission, which occurred though giving the leads and background extras time to rehearse every single line for each different character and prepare every single action for each different scene. Whether some acts were scripted or improvised, we can never tell because these perfectionists were superb in timing and structure for this unforgettable blockbuster. This work of ingenuity truly deserves the bows and applause.
Expectations
Tony Award-winning "The 39 Steps" is not only a thriller but a comedy as well, adapted from the classic movie directed by one of the best psychological suspense artists, Alfred Hitchcock, about a boring man who murders a female spy from a mysterious organization which has been described as "absurdly enjoyable" and "a dizzy delight."
I am a sly sucker for cinema and Broadway adaptations since I’ve always wanted to become a critic for extravagant flicks and theater art. The idea of a small cast creating so much entertainment with so little actors and props back and front stage is fantastic and full of determined capability. The plot is pure genius and long enough for a play like this. To attend a live-action show which contains unforgettable, influential scenes and shocking twist endings is an incredible feeling for a film buff like me. This is the event I’ve mostly wanted to see in this year’s Signature Series.
I plan on watching the actual motion picture to compare and contrast to the theatrical performance; each version should stay true to the elements and pieces of artwork. Four actors playing over 150 characters can get viewers thinking, "How do they change roles and outfits so quickly?!"
Experience
Last night's performance of Alfred Hitchcock's "The 39 Steps" was fun and entertaining. My concern that the thriller part might be too much for my nine year old was erroneous. She never flinched nor had to grab my hand. In fact, I got such joy from hearing her laugh at the slapstick comedy.
Amazingly, the cast of four did the impossible of playing over 150 different characters. My effort to try to count all the different characters was futile. I could not keep up and quickly gave up. Some of my favorite parts were watching one person do multiple characters within seconds by just the switch of a hat and with a different accent. It was unbelievable! How could he keep up with all the three different hats in one hand? Wow!
I must admit that I did not catch all the comedy. There were parts of the performance when the audience laughed, and I had no idea why. At the intermission, I overheard people commenting that there were so many references to Alfred's Hitchcock's movies. Since I have had very little experience with Alfred Hitchcock movies, I was clueless. But even for non- Hitchcock's fans, "The 39 Steps" delivered a very entertaining comedy with brief periods of suspense.
Expectations
Amazingly, Alfred Hitchcock's "The 39 Steps," which is Broadway's longest-running comedy thriller, will be coming to Brownsville in November. Who still thinks there is nothing first-rate in Brownsville? I personally enjoy comedies, but I am a tiny bit cautious of the thriller part of this performance. My concern is that it may be a bit too much for my nine year old. I Googled "age appropriateness for "39 Steps" and got mixed reviews from "appropriate for all ages" to "11 years and up" and finally "best for emerging teenagers and older." Cautiously, I am going to escort my nine year old to Hitchcock’s "The 39 Steps."
What I am looking forward to most from this performance is how a cast of four can portray over 150 different characters. Such a feat sounds so impossible, if not even ridiculous, that it will be extremely intriguing to watch. I can only imagine the cast to be resourceful and creative to accomplish such an impossible endeavor. I will be paying close attention to the costume changes, and I will actually try to see if I can count all the different characters. Alfred Hitchcock’s “The 39 Steps” is sure to promise a heart-racing, suspense-filled night with some undeniably needed comic relief.
Experience
Note: Sraub was out of town, so his wife, Michelle, is filling in.
It was a lights-out spectacular show! I was either laughing or smiling; my cheeks hurt by the end of the show. The cast of four were amazing at their roles. My favorite scenes were during the train ride and other scenes where actors reacting to motion or other outside influences; they would rock to the motion of the train or make their clothes look like they are were blowing in the wind. The surprises I expected were not scary. On the contrary, they were allusions to Alfred Hitchcock and his works. It became quite entertaining to see how many I could find throughout the performance. The easiest, by far, was the shadow figure of Hitchcock himself during the puppet scene. I definitely enjoyed my time and would happily go back again to enjoy this superb play.
Expectations
Note: Jason has to attend an out-of-town training session on Nov 5, so his wife, Michelle, is filling in for him.
"The 39 Steps," what an odd title for a play! I have never seen the movie, and so all I know is that it has to do with a spy, a secret organization, and a manhunt. Oh, and let’s not forget a murder. Since this is a parody of the original, I expect there will be plenty of laughs and maybe some confusion too as I try to figure out the characters since there will only be four cast members performing. I’m hoping for a surprise or two along the way. I have to say I have some pretty high expectations since it has won two Tony Awards and it has been Broadway’s longest -running thriller comedy. I look forward to stepping away from our modern world and back to simpler times.