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“Hitchcock meets hilarious” is how Director Stephanie Daventry French, professor of theatre, described the upcoming production of The 39 Steps, a lighthearted adaptation by Patrick Barlow of the classic film, which is being presented February 28 – March 5 by East Stroudsburg University’s Department of Theatre.

To bring this 2008 Drama Desk award winner, with an abundance of zany characters and fast-paced action, to the ESU stage, French and set designer Emma McDonough, a junior from Matamoras, Pa. majoring in technical theater, have reconfigured the interior of the Fine and Performing Arts Center’s Dale Snow Theatre to provide multiple playing areas for the comedy’s many scenes.

“Actors mix with the audience during parts of the production so we have to learn to play with that,” said Luis Feliciano, a senior from Philadelphia, Pa. majoring in theatre with concentrations in acting for theater, television and film and in directing.

“The scene on the train is set on a small, elevated platform,” Feliciano added. “We’re learning how to maneuver in a limited space without bumping into each other or falling off the platform. After performing in the larger Smith-McFarland Theatre several times, I’m learning how to adjust to playing in a more intimate space.”

As Clown I, Feliciano plays 14 different characters in the production. “At one point, I have to become a different character just by changing my hat,” Feliciano said. “I’ve got a binder with sections on each character’s description, story, movements and accent. Working with Professor French and the whole team on this production is really helping me grow as an actor.”

William Barreto, a senior from East Stroudsburg, Pa. majoring in theatre and minoring in English, is also playing 14 different characters as Clown II. “In working to make each character stand out, I’ve spent a lot of time on each one’s accent and movements, he said.

“The production also is very physical, with a lot of chases and slapstick humor,” Barreto added. “Right now I’m taking a class, Movement for the Actor, with Susan O’Hearn, professor of theatre, which is helping me to be more physically creative with the characters and actions.”

For Amanda Witt, a freshman from Mountainhome, Pa. majoring in musical theatre, The 39 Steps is giving her an opportunity to widen her acting experience.

“I’ve been performing since I was in third grade,” Witt explained, “but I’ve only been in three plays that weren’t musicals. I’ve also never in worked such a small space where the audience is so much a part of the play.”

Witt plays three characters in the production. “The intensity of these characters, especially Annabella who is very melodramatic, makes them funny, but you need to play them totally seriously,” she said. “Although the play is a parody, you have to respect the limits of the script and not take the characters too far.”

“We also have to work with the kurokos (a Japanese term for stagehands) performers who move props and scenery and sometimes become part of the action,” Barreto said, explaining another unique element of the production.

“Working together within this redefined space,” Barreto added, “the performers, the director and designers are creating an ensemble so we can all be funny together.”

Curtain times for The 39 Steps are 7:30 p.m. February 28 – March 3; 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. March 4 and 2 p.m. March 5. All performances are in the Dale Snow Theatre of ESU’s Fine and Performing Arts Center, Normal and Marguerite streets, East Stroudsburg. Please plan to arrive 10 minutes before performance since latecomers cannot be admitted to the production.

General admission is $12; senior citizens, faculty and staff with I.D. are $10; students with I.D are $7; and youth 12 and under are $5. This production is recommended for ages 10 and above.

Because of limited seating, advance ticket purchase is highly recommended. Tickets are available online at esu.edu/theatretickets. Only credit cards are accepted online. Remaining tickets are available at the box office one hour before curtain on performance dates. Only cash and checks are accepted at the box office.

For other information or reservations, please email esuarts@esu.edu or call 570-422-3483.

In conjunction with the play, the Provost’s Colloquium Series will present “Hitchcock Reframed,” a presentation by Paul Lippert, Ph.D., professor of communication, and French on Tuesday, February 28 at 6:30 p.m. in Cecilia S. Cohen Recital Hall of ESU’s Fine and Performing Arts Center.

The presentation is open to the public at no cost.  Please note that anyone wishing to attend the presentation and then see the comedy must purchase a ticket to the play for that evening.

The 39 Steps was adapted by Patrick Barlow from the novel by John Buchan and the film by Alfred Hitchcock. The play is licensed by ITV Global Entertainment Limited and is an original concept by Simon Corbel and Nobby Dimon.