39 Steps
Directed by Ashley Puckett Gonzales
Running Time: 2.5 hours with a 15 minute intermission
Accessible Seating: Available, call or email ahead of time
Hearing Devices: Not Available
Sensory Friendly Showing: Not Available
ASL Showing: Not Available
Volume Level: Comfortable volume level
Noises/Visuals to Prepare For: quiet gunshots
Reviewed by Teri Lynn Williams
Ahhhh, I hope you packed your passport, we are going to Theatre Frisco to travel to 1935 London for a cozy storytime, grab your crimson velvet robe, your glass of whiskey and settle in... but wait, there’s a catch. Our protagonist is looking for something exciting to do for the evening so he wanders into a local theatre whereupon he meets a mysterious woman who sets his whole life into a frantic paced adventure. And I do not use the word frantic lightly, there is nothing chill about this story. Like a tennis match, as the audience we are looking left to right to center in order to absorb all that is happening on stage. Director Ashley Puckett Gonzales left no detail unturned. With constantly moving set pieces, prop changes on the spot, character switches, often changing lighting and sound cues, the collaboration of the entire production staff is splendid (applause to all involved!)
39 Steps showcases the talents of seven actors who carousel in and out of multiple characters, accents, costumes, and locations. To simply say ”talent” almost seems trivial. Let’s add the word brilliant- showcases the brilliant talent of 7 actors. This script is kooky, and this team under the clear superb direction of Gonzales knew they had to really own that key attribute.
DR Hanson seemingly has the simplest job amongst the cast, as he only has to portray one character, Richard Hannay. But let’s be clear there is nothing simple about Hanson’s portrayal of Hannay. This man never truly sits still, he is skillfully showing his character even when lounged. His eyebrow work alone was quite amusing. Hanson keeps us grounded with his engaging line delivery and aerobic like movements throughout the entire show. Enter down stage right Rebecca Litsey as the femme fatale. Shine that spotlight on her- the word that kept swirling through my head watching Litsey was captivating. In an array of wigs, from the moment she enters, we are watching Litsey plays 3 varying female characters, similar in that they all seem to want to kiss Hannay, but her vocal talent abilities give us the distinction we need to engage individually with each one.
Now, send in the clowns! Wait, but in historic theatre terms that means something is going wrong and nothing is wrong here, and these clowns are absolutely HYSTERICAL. Cody Alexander Tabor and Jake Lawrence Geary flamboyantly enter the stage space and continually seize our attention with their portrayal of so many characters. Change of hat, change of voice, and all at a pace expertly owned by both clearly gifted actors. I’d say I want to see more of them, but they have got to be exhausted bringing that superb energy to each performance, whew.
None of this show would have been possible without Logan Garconnier, Lilly McCullough, and Dahlia Parks providing hilarious sound effects, visual stunts, set switches aplenty, and visual gags that I don’t want to spoil, but did not go unnoticed. Well done you all, your zealous commitment is to be applauded. 39 Steps is a riot of a good time and should be on your list to see at Theatre Frisco.
To The Stage,
Teri Lynn Williams
Comments
Post a Comment