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You take the lowbrow and I'll take the highbrow, or: 28 reasons for 39 Steps
Hitchcock's '39 Steps' at the Walnut (1st review)
Jackie Schifalacqua
1. All Alfred Hitchcock fans are not alike, but all Alfred Hitchcock fans develop his sense of humor.
2. You don't have to read the World War I novel by John Buchan that inspired the Hitchcock film.
3. Tomfoolery has a place in the mind. Sometimes it's nice to let loose, not think too much and just enjoy yourself.
4. Because Hitchcock wished to "provide the public with beneficial shocks," giggling at this parody doesn't make you feel guilty.
5. David Hess keeps his Richard Hannay character; glib, earnest, with a stiff upper lip and agile torso.
6. You can enjoy the camp sultriness of Joan Hess as Annabella Schmidt, the spy who dies in Richard's apartment.
7. From Hannay's flat to a London music hall and onto a train and the Scottish moors, hotels, cottages and castle, scenic director Robert Andrew Kovach keeps the allure and winsomeness of the developing plot endlessly burlesque and deceptive.
8. Stagehands and stage managers (in this case Lori Aghazarian and Debi Marcucci) were never so appreciated by an audience.
9. Backstage dressers are the unsung heroes in this business, especially here.
10. Dan Hodge as "Mr. Memory."
11. Paul Riopelle as the milkman.
12. Joan Hess, full of frosty stiff repressed sexuality as Pamela, the quintessential English lady.
13. The train companions (Hodge and Riopelle, again).
14. Christopher Colucci's suspenseful sound effects, which keep the audience on its toes.
15. Paul Black's lighting design, without which the audience would be in the dark amid all the fast-paced events.
16. The spirit of the "go on with the show" mentality, which doesn't take itself too seriously.
17. Two wild and crazy Englishmen named Simon Corble and Nobby Dimon who probably concocted this pleasantry after their fourth round of Glenfiddich.
18. The director, William Roudebush— whew, betcha he's glad he got through rehearsals.
19. The pen of Patrick Barlow, who put Corble's and Dimon's notions into a lithe dialogue while remaining true to the movie.
20. Dan Hodge and Paul Riopelle (again) as; a nasty professor, quirky innkeepers, earnest politicians and foolhardy sheriff.
21. Hess as Mrs. Margaret Crofter, the professor's wife. I had to read the playbill twice to make sure it was indeed the same actress as the ice goddess Pamela.
22. David and Joan Hess— proof positive that you can be married to the theater and each other.
23. The Walnut's producing artistic director, Bernard Havard, a man who believes that art is never above pleasing the public.
24. Colleen Grady's ability to design clothing from one of the most sophisticated periods while still managing to keep Pamela looking ladylike in her underwear and Richard sexy in his raincoat.
25. Hearing the infectious laughter from your fellow theater goers, making you feel like you're in the infamous peanut gallery.
26. Imagining Hitchcock, whether in heaven or a misguided hell, looking down on the audience with his beatific smile or up Pamela's skirt with a Cheshire grin.
27. Production manager, Roy W. Backes, in whose hands this exquisite parody takes unqualified shape.
28. Because the lowbrow and the high and mighty need to live side by side.♦
To read another review by Jane Biberman, click here.
To read a response, click here.
2. You don't have to read the World War I novel by John Buchan that inspired the Hitchcock film.
3. Tomfoolery has a place in the mind. Sometimes it's nice to let loose, not think too much and just enjoy yourself.
4. Because Hitchcock wished to "provide the public with beneficial shocks," giggling at this parody doesn't make you feel guilty.
5. David Hess keeps his Richard Hannay character; glib, earnest, with a stiff upper lip and agile torso.
6. You can enjoy the camp sultriness of Joan Hess as Annabella Schmidt, the spy who dies in Richard's apartment.
7. From Hannay's flat to a London music hall and onto a train and the Scottish moors, hotels, cottages and castle, scenic director Robert Andrew Kovach keeps the allure and winsomeness of the developing plot endlessly burlesque and deceptive.
8. Stagehands and stage managers (in this case Lori Aghazarian and Debi Marcucci) were never so appreciated by an audience.
9. Backstage dressers are the unsung heroes in this business, especially here.
10. Dan Hodge as "Mr. Memory."
11. Paul Riopelle as the milkman.
12. Joan Hess, full of frosty stiff repressed sexuality as Pamela, the quintessential English lady.
13. The train companions (Hodge and Riopelle, again).
14. Christopher Colucci's suspenseful sound effects, which keep the audience on its toes.
15. Paul Black's lighting design, without which the audience would be in the dark amid all the fast-paced events.
16. The spirit of the "go on with the show" mentality, which doesn't take itself too seriously.
17. Two wild and crazy Englishmen named Simon Corble and Nobby Dimon who probably concocted this pleasantry after their fourth round of Glenfiddich.
18. The director, William Roudebush— whew, betcha he's glad he got through rehearsals.
19. The pen of Patrick Barlow, who put Corble's and Dimon's notions into a lithe dialogue while remaining true to the movie.
20. Dan Hodge and Paul Riopelle (again) as; a nasty professor, quirky innkeepers, earnest politicians and foolhardy sheriff.
21. Hess as Mrs. Margaret Crofter, the professor's wife. I had to read the playbill twice to make sure it was indeed the same actress as the ice goddess Pamela.
22. David and Joan Hess— proof positive that you can be married to the theater and each other.
23. The Walnut's producing artistic director, Bernard Havard, a man who believes that art is never above pleasing the public.
24. Colleen Grady's ability to design clothing from one of the most sophisticated periods while still managing to keep Pamela looking ladylike in her underwear and Richard sexy in his raincoat.
25. Hearing the infectious laughter from your fellow theater goers, making you feel like you're in the infamous peanut gallery.
26. Imagining Hitchcock, whether in heaven or a misguided hell, looking down on the audience with his beatific smile or up Pamela's skirt with a Cheshire grin.
27. Production manager, Roy W. Backes, in whose hands this exquisite parody takes unqualified shape.
28. Because the lowbrow and the high and mighty need to live side by side.♦
To read another review by Jane Biberman, click here.
To read a response, click here.
What, When, Where
Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps. Adapted by Patrick Barlow, from the novel by John Buchan; William Roudebush directed. Through May 1, 2011 at Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut St. (215) 574-3550 or www.walnutstreettheatre.org.
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