- By Stephanie Miller
- Entertainment
Print 
The Hangar Theatre Mainstage season opens June 16th in the newly renovated theatre with The 39 Steps, a farcical homage to the Alfred Hitchcock classic suspense film. Hilarity ensues as four actors perform the entire "movie", playing dozens of characters, and creating trains, planes, and hotel rooms out of simple theatrical props. The audience will be treated to madcap antics, thrilling suspense and nonstop fun, all while enjoying the stylish, comfortable and graceful renovated theatre.
Ithaca native and Broadway actor Jeremy Webb plays Richard Hannay, the likeable hero unwittingly drawn into a spy thriller of innumerable twists and turns. Mr. Webb is one of Ithaca's best known homegrown actors. He recently performed on Broadway at the Lincoln Center Theatre in The Glorious Ones, received a 2009 Helen Hayes nomination for Best Supporting Actor in The Visit, worked 5 years on CBS' longest running serial The Guiding Light, and guest-starred in numerous episodes of Law & Order.
Ginifer King joins the cast as Webb's leading ladies and romantic interests. Ms. King's Broadway credits include the 2003 revival of Gypsy, Steel Magnolias, and Cyrano de Bergerac with Kevin Kline and Jennifer Garner. Ms. King will be making her Hangar Theatre stage debut.
Directing the play is Wendy Dann, professor of theatre at Ithaca College and former Hangar Theatre Associate Artistic Director. "I am honored to be directing the first play in the newly renovated theatre. And it's a brilliant play, one that brings the audience back to the essence of theatre and the heart of storytelling. Like the best entertainers of vaudeville, we have set a high goal - we intend to corrupt our audience with pleasure."
Ms. Dann is a veteran of the Hangar stage and an increasingly well known and in demand director, playwright and teacher. At the Hangar, she directed Betrayal, No Child..., Disney's Beauty & the Beast, Cats, I Am My Own Wife, The Blue Room and Stones in His Pockets. With Eric Jordan Young, Ms. Dann co-wrote & directed Sammy & Me, which premiered at the Hangar in 2006, was performed at the National Black Theatre Festival in 2007 and will be part of the Alliance Theatre's 2010-2011 season in Atlanta, GA. Her latest play, The Strangest Thing, is a 2010 finalist at the National Playwrights Conference at the O'Neill Theatre Center.
The 39 Steps cast includes Ithaca favorite Karl Gregory and new to Ithaca Curran Connor playing all of the rest of the characters. Mr. Gregory returns from Brown University/Trinity Rep where he recently received his MFA in Acting. Last summer, Mr. Gregory co-starred in Gutenburg: the Musical! at Ithaca's Kitchen Theatre Company, where he worked extensively over the past 7 years. Mr. Curran trained at both Rutgers University and at the Globe Theater in London, England, twice received the New Jersey Governor's Award for the Arts, and has numerous regional roles to his credit.
Along with star Jeremy Webb, two of the four designers are Ithaca High School grads now enjoying busy careers in the world of theatre. Costume designer Gretchen Darrow-Crotty (Hedwig & the Angry Inch, Playboy of the Western World, Stones in His Pockets) and lighting designer Matt Richards (20 years at the Hangar!) are joined by set designer Brian Prather and sound designer Matt O'Hare to round out the stellar creative team.
The 39 Steps at the Hangar Theatre is made possible with support from Center Ithaca, Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport and Z 95.5.
The 39 Steps Performance Dates:
Wednesday, June 16 - 7:30pm (Preview)
Thursday, June 17- 7:30pm (Preview)
Friday, June 18 - 8:00pm (Opening Night)
Saturday, June 19 - 3:00pm
Saturday, June 19 - 8:00pm
Sunday, June 20- 7:30pm
Tuesday, June 22 - 7:30pm (Tuesday Talkback)
Wednesday, June 23 - 7:30pm (Pay-What-You-Can)
Thursday, June 24 - 7:30pm
Friday, June 25 - 8:00pm
Saturday, June 26 - 3:00pm
Saturday, June 26 - 8:00pm
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