No, really!
Tonight, we three amigas (me, Barbara, and Sandy) went to the latest production of the Asbury Memorial Theatre. "The 39 Steps" was filled with funny sound effects, slapstick, shadow puppets, and almost too many scene changes to count. What a hoot!!!
It was actually quite thrilling to watch the scene changes. The stage contained a rotating platform divided by a wall. This allowed quick changes to the "location" of the next scene while the action was occurring on the side facing the audience. It varied from a bachelor pad to a theatre interior to a country manor to a train car to a guest bedroom to a police station, switching around and around, with each location distinctly different.
In addition to the set undergoing constant changes, the cast was in a continual state of flux, too. Well, most of the cast. The actor portraying the lead role, a bachelor having an extraordinary evening and next day, was one very energetic young man, Chad Hsu. His 'on the lam' scenes reminded me of John Cleese and his Minister of Silly Walks - hilarious!
As for the other four cast members, their wardrobe - and even hair - was subject to change from one scene to another. Cheri Hester was a sophisticated blonde agent, a naive brunette, the younger wife of a Scottish farmer, and at least one other female. Not that she was the only one in female roles! All three of the other men had at least one woman in their vast repertoire, all played strictly for laughs!
Confused? I know I spoke of this as being from Hitchcock, when, actually, it is based on the action in the 1935 film from Hitchcock. A comedian took that film and the original book and created this bit of loveliness. Did I mention yet that the comedian was British? Well, Patrick Barlow certainly is! And we thoroughly enjoyed his artistry as a playwright with tongue firmly in cheek!
Afterward, at the opening night reception, we were treated to slices of heavenly pecan pie. Nope, it sure wasn't my Grandma's recipe, but it certainly was tasty! We are planning to attend the pecan and honey harvest next weekend.
We found out, too, that we were three of the thirty-nine tickets sold for this opening night's performance. Wow! How double cool to be part of such an auspicious number of theatre-goers! I think that bodes well for the show's two-weekend run, don't you?
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