Reinforcing the Humor in 'The 39 Steps'

Fans of the classic Hitchcock whodunit The 39 Steps may not realize that the stage version, opening next month at George Street Playhouse, is, unlike the movie, very, very funny. To complement the onstage antics, the New Brunswick theatre is offering a slate of off-stage events sure to up the ante on the fun scale.

The 39 Steps, a Tony Award winner, was adapted by Patrick Barlow from the novel by John Buchan and the movie directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Directed by Mark Shanahan and starring Michael Thomas Holmes, Stacie Morgain Lewis
Howard McGillin, and Mark Price, it opened Tuesday and will run through May 20.

Tonight's show is sold out and tickets for the rest of this weekend, including two shows on Sunday, are limited. Good seats ae still available for future shows.

The first special event will be “A Look Through the Rear Window”  -- a behind-the-scenes chat with director Mark Shanahan, who will talk about the references to Hitchcock contained in the play, using clips from classic Hitchcock films. The chat will take place Saturday, May 5, beginning at 6 p.m. in the Playhouse’s cabaret space, and includes appetizers from Tumulty’s Pub and a cash bar. The cost is $15 and includes the discussion and appetizers. Reservations are required and can be made through the GSP website (www.GSPonline.org ) or Box Office, 732-246-7717. Playhouse subscribers can purchase tickets for the event for $12 and must purchase them through the Box Office. 

Audience members are encouraged to dress up as their favorite Hitchcock character on Saturday, May 12. Starting at 7 p.m., George Street Playhouse staffers will wind their way through the audiences and award prizes for the best and most original costumes. Potential participants are encouraged to pre-register for the event on the Playhouse website (www.GSPonline.org), or by calling the GSP Box Office, 732-246-7717. 

Finally on Thursday, May 17, George Street Playhouse in partnership with Clydz restaurant will offer a post-show “Marnie-tini” party.  For the price of $55, patrons will receive a ticket to the 8 p.m. show, plus admission to the post-show revelry, featuring specially-priced drink specials (the “Vertigo” and  the “Hitchcocktail”) as well as complimentary bar snacks. Tickets can be purchased through the George Street Playhouse Box Office 732-246-7717, or via the Playhouse website--www.GSPonline.org–using the code MARNIE.  Patrons already holding tickets to the May 17 performance may add on the party by contacting  732-846-2895, ext 134.

George Street Playhouse is located at 9 Livingston Ave.