Guthrie, OK (July 22nd, 2021) –Hitchcock meets hilarious in a fast-paced comedic
mystery thriller! Pollard Theatre Company returns to live indoor programming with The 39 Steps, adapted by Patrick Barlow from the novel by John Buchan and based on the Alfred Hitchcock movie. Opening August 6th, Artistic Director Jared Blount guides this talented cast of four actors playing over 150 characters in this rapid tale of an ordinary man on an extraordinarily entertaining adventure.
The 39 Steps introduces the Pollard Theatre's 34th Season and its return after an unprecedented year and a half closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Train pursuits, plunging planes, and traditional romance lead to a death-defying finale. A talented cast of four performers (Wil Rogers, Jessa Schinske, David Fletcher-Hall,and Kris Kuss) breathlessly reenacts hundreds of characters, locations, and memorable scenes from Alfred Hitchcock's 1935 film of the same name. A previous
Pollard fan-favorite, sure to delight audiences once again.
"I couldn't think of a better way to open our season than with The 39 Steps. It's fast! It's funny! It's a thrilling story that pulls our hero out of the mundane and into an epic adventure." says Blount. "You have so many stunts and characters to pull off with only four people. Someone says a line, turns around, flips on a different hat and spins back as someone else; and then they're leaping off of a train! It's a real test of endurance for these performers, and an absolute treat to watch when they nail it."
The famous, two-time Tony and Drama Desk Award-winning play is packed with non-stop laughs. Our hero, Richard Hannay, (Wil Rogers) goes to the theatre for "something mindless and trivial," only to be entangled in the murder of a beautiful woman and a Nazi plot to bring the British Isles into Hitler's hands. These developments thrust him on a wild chase around the country to fight the villains and
charm the ladies.
"Opening night will be exhilarating!" says Kara Luther-Chapman, Pollard Theatre's Executive Director. "We survived a challenging experience and are returning stronger than before. Laughter is the best medicine, and this show is a heaping dose! The play is fun for all ages and great for anyone who loves the magic of theatre."
Due to ongoing precautions against the spread of coronavirus, the Pollard requires patrons to wear a mask while in attendance. In addition, the theatre now offers a touch-free E-ticket service to discourage lines and allow guests a seamless entrance into the house. The 39 Steps runs for 12 performances from August 6th through August 28th. Tickets and seasonal flex passes are on sale now at www.thepollard.org or by phone (405) 282-2800.
The celebrated Pollard Theatre Company is nestled in the historic district of downtown Guthrie and located at 120 W. Harrison Avenue. Established in 1987, the
Pollard Theatre is Oklahoma's premier professional theatre company and live-performance venue offering year-round entertainment. Tickets start at $35 for adults, $31.50 for seniors, and $25 for children under 12. The Pollard Theatre Company produces with additional support from the Oklahoma Arts Council, National Endowment for the Arts, The Shubert Foundation, and Kirkpatrick Foundation. In part, The 39 Steps is presented by Jeff & Carol Hirzel and WanderFolk Spirits. For more information on Pollard's 34th Season Productions and the Pollard Performance Series, please visit www.thepollard.org.
