SAN DIEGO — Scripps Ranch Theatre brings us The 39 Steps, a murder-mystery comic romp that has director Phil Johnson’s fingerprints all over it. Based loosely on Hitchcock’s 1935 film of the same name, this reimagined version takes the liberty to incorporate so many films of this genre with the over-emoting, high drama, femmes fatale, and Keystone cops.
In a phone interview, back in September, Johnson related that he is a “believer in the power of comedy to lighten our loads, and to give us, even if momentarily, a brighter outlook.” This show does that with a great big honking LED bulb. The hilarity, overblown silliness, and clever references keep this mystery cruising along at a high speed while bringing us endearing characters and absurd vignettes.
Except for the main character, Richard Hannay (Marley Bauer) who plays a 37-year-old British fellow who has lost his raison d’etre, the other three actors portray clowns, Bobbies, innkeepers, a professor, and an assortment of potential love interests. The synergy of the four actors works quite well, and the wild characterization replete with overly exaggerated accents hits the mark every time. Even the monosyllabic grunting of the henchman or the grumbling and mumbling of Mr. McGarrigle enhances the campy, playful script.
One need not be a Hitchcock devotee to love this play, but it can’t hurt! So many funny references to The Birds, Psycho, Strangers on a Train, North by Northwest, Rear Window, and Dial M for Murder all attest to this genre’s popularity. I asked Johnson if there were unique challenges in directing a murder mystery and he shared that it’s critical to keep the audience involved in the mystery, seeking the killer. The audience wants to know who the guilty party is, but it’s the director’s work to keep the tension going.
Chris Braden dons a number of outfits and doffs a few hats in this zany production. Each of them fits impeccably. He is a clown, a cop, an innkeeper, a housemaid, and more! He has performed regionally in many of our area theatres including Patio Playhouse, Lamplighters, PowPac, and Coronado Playhouse. Each of his roles is outstanding and I loved his command of accents.
Katelyn Slater is a woman of many, many talents. She portrayed a clown, a cop, an innkeeper’s wife, a professor’s wife, and so many other delightful and diverse roles. Slater is not only an actress, but an acting teacher.
Melanie Mino takes on the roles of the intriguing and sometimes dangerous women in this play. She is a charming speech-impaired German spy, among others. Mino has appeared at Scripps Ranch Theatre. most recently in Lost in Yonkers. This actor has also been seen at Lamplighters, Trinity, and PowPac. She is a delightful foil to Hannay.
Richard Hannay (Marley Bauer) was extraordinary in his debut at Scripps Ranch Theatre. Previous engagements include Trinity and Lamplighters. His performance in The 39 Steps definitely merits many future shows and his ability to handle the physically and psychologically demanding role tell this reviewer that he can take on whatever comes his way!
The production team was equally responsible for this show’s success. In addition to Phil Johnson, this show benefits from the production of Ruth Russell, and stage manager, Jessamyn Foster. Assistant Stage Manager, Alli Brown, has worked at Common Ground, PowPac, and Patio Playhouse. Patrick Duffy, an experienced sound design man, comes to Scripps Ranch Theatre with a bevy of experience from Lambs Players Theatre. Props to others in the design team: Heather Larsen, Yi-Chien Lee, Justin Magallanes, Michelle Miles, and Caprice Shirley.
You, too, can say “yes” to some madcap adventure by coming to see this lighthearted murder mystery while you pay tribute to the Master of Modern Horror as he meets Phil Johnson’s treatment of The 39 Steps.
Eva Trieger is a freelance writer specializing in the arts. She may be contacted via eva.trieger@sdjewishworld.com