Looking for something to do one of these weekends? If so, I highly recommend “The 39 Steps” at Northville’s Tipping Point Theatre. It’s an amazing blend of stagecraft wizardry and top-notch performances by some of the area’s most notable talent.
In this spoof of the Hitchcock classic thriller, four actors recreate the story of a British citizen who finds himself having to prove his innocence after accidentally becoming embroiled in a murderous plot to steal military secrets. Set in the 1930s, no stone is left unturned by producing artistic director James R. Kuhl in wringing every possible laugh out of a project that has more challenges than one would think possible when converting a complicated film masterpiece into a small-cast, noir-ish stage comedy. But I suspect the award-winning filmmaker himself would likely be quite pleased with the creativity Kuhl and his gang put into this endeavor. And rightfully so.
Because I’ve seen other productions of Patrick Barlow’s award-winning script in recent years, I knew what to expect. But I also knew that – with a string of highly successful and entertaining shows under its belt – Tipping Point’s production would be well worth my time. So the allure for me, to be perfectly honest, was the reteaming of audience (and personal) favorites Dave Davies and Wayne David Parker in the demanding roles of pretty much every character in the story – both male and female of varying ages and ethnicities – with but few exceptions. Together, the two have become one of the area’s most legendary comedy duos, and with “The 39 Steps,” they’re given ample opportunities to remind us why. May they bring us laughter and tears of joy for many years to come!
But this is not a two-person show. Aiding with and adding to the mirth and merriment is Andrew Papa as the story’s hero, Richard Hannay. Papa has the uncanny ability to seemingly control every muscle in his face and body in order to create the tightest and most physically expressive characters possible. (I’d gladly pay to watch him portray the superheroes Plastic Man, Elongated Man or Reed Richards of the Fantastic Four in a DC or Marvel movie anytime; he’d be excellent!) And those skills are put to great use in this production. One scene in particular – a train ride with Davies and Parker – is especially noteworthy, as it allows Papa to use every trick and skill at his disposal to create a memorable scene and character.
Not to be outdone, Sayre Fox has the challenge of bringing to life three of the story’s female characters. All are totally different – a femme-fatale Russian secret agent, an innocent British train passenger, and the wife of a Scottish farmer – yet Fox nails them all. Each is distinct; her comic timing and body language are tools she yields with perfection.
Of equal importance is the environment in which these characters live and breathe. Upon entering the theater I was immediately struck by the set, which reminded me of an old-timey, dead-end back alley in a secluded downtown business district where murder and mayhem were on the daily menu, but mixed with the modern-day, metal-infused industrial look that has gained popularity in recent years. Springing from the always-amazing mind of scenic designer Monika Essen, the set is awash in complementary and striking colors by lighting designer Neil Koivu, whose ability to focus your attention where it needs to be (and when) is nothing short of amazing. And when you add the sounds and music provided by Sonja Marquis into the equation (including both before the show and during intermission), the result is a vividly painted world perfectly suited to the story unfolding before you. (Stage manager Stephanie Buck and her assistant Marisa Soto deserve a nod, as well, for keeping the trains running on time and all the appropriate balls in the air.)
One last note: Don’t stay away if you’ve never seen the famous film on which the play is based. While having done so may help you appreciate the “Easter eggs” (or salutes to Hitchcock’s other movies) hidden in the show, they only add to the overall fun rather than take away from the experience. I suspect you’ll catch on, though, once these quick bits begin to pop up!
The 39 Steps continues at Tipping Point Theatre, Northville, through March 8. Click https://www.tippingpointtheatre.com/the-39-steps for more details.
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