THE 39 STEPS Welcomes Mahon as New 'Hannay' 1/21, Robards Departs 1/4

Alfred Hitchcock's THE 39 STEPS starts its second year on Broadway in a new home and with a new Hannay.   Sean Mahon will join the Tony Award-winning quick-change comedy as Richard Hannay on Wednesday, January 21, when the production moves to the Helen Hayes Theatre (240 West 44th Street).  

Sam Robards will play his final performance as Richard Hannay on January 4 at the Cort Theatre (138 West 48th Street). 
 
Mahon made his Broadway debut last season in Conor McPherson's acclaimed The Seafarer.  His US and Irish regional credits include Savage in Limbo, Translations, Ourselves Alone, The Visit, Stones in his Pockets, Yankee Trader, Confessions of a Catholic Child, One for the Road, Drama at Inis, Big Maggie. Television credits include: "Fringe," "As the World Turns," "Angel," "The Agency," "Everwood," "ER," "Line of Fire," "Sci-fi MOW."  Film credits include; Hulk and Mr. and Mrs. Smith. He is a founding member of The Virtual Theater Project; a theatre company dedicated to the development and production of New Work. 

THE 39 STEPS, the winner of two Tony Awards, the Drama Desk Award for Unique Theatrical Experience and the 2007 Olivier Award for Best New Comedy,  is adapted by Patrick Barlow and directed by Maria Aitken.  The production is based on an original concept by Simon Corble and Nobby Dimon and on the book by John Buchan. 

THE 39 STEPS plays through January 11 at the Cort Theatre (138 West 48th Street) and moves to the Helen Hayes Theatre (240 West 44th Street), resuming performances on January 20.

The show features Arnie Burton (Man #2), Jennifer Ferrin (Annabella Schmidt/Pamela/Margaret), Sam Robards (Richard Hannay).and Cliff Saunders (Man #1).   Francesca Faridany and Jeffrey Kuhn will join the cast on Tuesday, October 28, replacing Jennifer Ferrin and Cliff Saunders, respectively.  The production also features Rob Breckenridge, Claire Brownell and Cameron Folmar.

Mix Alfred Hitchcock’s cinematic masterpiece with a juicy spy novel. Then, add the manic dash of vintage Monty Python and you have THE 39 STEPS – equal parts hilarious whodunit, espionage thriller and quick-change comedy, adapted for the stage from Hitchcock’s famous 1935 film and John Buchan’s 1915 novel.

Seeking a frivolous night out at the theatre, Richard Hannay is lured into a world of intrigue by a mysterious woman claiming to be a spy. When she winds up dead in his flat, he flees London with the police hot on his trail.  

THE 39 STEPS opened to deliriously ecstatic reviews.   Ben Brantley, New York Times, called the production, “Absurdly enjoyable!  This gleefully theatrical riff on Hitchcock’s film is fast and frothy, performed by a cast of four that seems like a cast of thousands.  The actors themselves seem to be having a helluva good time.  As does the audience.”   Clive Barnes, New York Post, pronounced THE 39 STEPS "Inventively astonishing, riotous & marvelous."  Joe Dziemianowicz, Daily News, exclaimed, “Hitchcock probably never imagined his thriller had the makings of a hilarious comedy, but this show is a dizzy delight and an ingenious spoof, inventively directed by Maria Aitken. A fast-paced fun ride!”

THE 39 STEPS features sets and costumes by Peter McKintosh, lighting by Kevin Adams and sound by Mic Pool.   Dialect coach is Stephen Gabis.  Original movement created by Toby Sedgwick.  Additional movement created by Christopher Bayes.  Production management is by Aurora Productions.  Production stage manager is Nevin Hedley.

THE 39 STEPS has been a runaway hit in London’s West End, playing to sell-out houses at the Criterion where it continues to delight and thrill audiences.  The first production of THE 39 STEPS was directed by Fiona Buffini and produced on stage by North Country Theatre in April 1996 at the Georgian Theatre, Richmond, North Yorkshire.

The production received its American debut at the Huntington Theatre Company in Boston, MA.  The Broadway premiere began previews on January 4, 2008 and officially opened on January 15 at Roundabout Theatre Company’s American Airlines Theatre.  

THE 39 STEPS is produced by Bob Boyett, Harriet Newman Leve/Ron Nicynski, Stewart F. Lane/Bonnie Comley, Manocherian Golden Prods., Olympus Theatricals/Douglas Denoff, Pam Laudenslager/Pat Addiss, Tim Levy/Remmel T. Dickinson, Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director; Harold Wolpert, Managing Director; Julia Levy, Executive Director), Huntington Theatre Company (Nicholas Martin, Artistic Director; Michael Maso, Managing Director) and Edward Snape for Fiery Angel Ltd.  Associate producer is Marek J. Cantor.

Tickets are available from TeleCharge at 212-239-6200, online at www.telecharge.com and at the Cort Theatre box office.   Tickets for performances after January 20 will go on sale November 3 through Telecharge and at the Helen Hayes Theatre box office on January 5. Performances are Tuesday at 7:00 PM, Wednesday through Saturday at 8:00 PM, with matinees Wednesday and Saturday at 2:00 PM, Sunday at 3:00 PM.

www.39StepsOnBroadway.com