[NEohioPAL] Review of Rabbit Run Theater's "The 39 Steps"

[Bob Abelman]

Rabbit Run Theater's 'The 39 Steps' stumbles but ascends

Bob Abelman

News-Herald, Chagrin Valley Times, Solon Times, Geauga Times Courier

Member, International Association of Theatre Critics 

 

This review will appear in the News-Herald on 8/23/13









 

If you are longing for something mindless and trivial - something utterly pointless - then you should go to the Rabbit Run Theater.

 

This backhanded compliment, extracted (and slightly altered) from the opening scene of "The 39 Steps," speaks volumes about this play and its current, summer season-ending production at Rabbit Run Theater.  

 

It suggests that Patrick Barlow's stage adaptation of the classic 1935 Alfred Hitchcock spy movie and the 1915 John Buchan novel of the same name does not take itself or its subject matter seriously.

 

It is, in fact, a fast and frothy parody of film noir romantic thrillers with their low budget aesthetics, their square-jawed heroes and mysterious femme fatales, and their dramatically abrupt twists and turns.  Every cloak-and-dagger genre convention and cinematic cliché is there for the asking and accentuated for laughs in this play.  

 

The opening line also reminds us that parody is not completely mindless.

 

After all, if you've seen the play then you understood the reference and are in on the joke; if you haven't, then this tedious explanation about the line's lineage is a necessity.  Parody requires its audience to have some degree of understanding of its target in order to appreciate the humor.  For "The 39 Steps," which transforms everyday objects into Objets d'art reflective of Hitchcock's signature psychological thrillers, knowledge of film is a plus.   

 

Still, "The 39 Steps" can be great fun for those with no such knowledge because the script is flat-out hysterical.  All that is required is for the actors to perform it with precision and handle all the on-stage aerobics with aplomb.

 

It is here that the Rabbit Run production of "The 39 Steps," under Ann Hedger's otherwise fine direction, stumbles.    

 

The storyline follows the adventures of dashing Richard Hannay as he inadvertently gets mixed up with double agents, accidently uncovers a plot to steal vital British military secrets, gets framed for murder and, of course, takes it on the lam.  

 

All of this is performed on a bare stage save for some random furniture and props.  The storytelling is facilitated by creative lighting and sound design by Patrick Fagan and Tom Linsenmeier, respectively, which is as instrumental in the manifestation of parody as anything the four performers bring to the stage. 

 

Matthew Mortensen is wonderful as our archetypical British good guy sucked into a foul situation.  His clipped diction, perpetually cocked eyebrow and comic timing are spot on, although the character's prerequisite cavalier approach to danger occasionally slips to reveal the young American playing him.  This undermines quite a bit of the intended humor.

 

Doing the heavy lifting in this production are James Land and Nick Grimsic, who not only wear multiple hats throughout the production but one hat often appears mere seconds after another as they jump from one character to the next.   Much of what they do is highly entertaining bait and switch clownery and they are very funny.

 

They are also hesitant in their antics, a bit slow on the up-take, and lack the necessary nuance and confidence to throw caution to the wind and take the risks this play affords.  There are too many missed opportunities to be cleverer than they are.

 

Nancy Shmonek Brooks' depiction of dialectically diverse characters - from a Mata Hari, to a Brit-blond love interest, to a Scottish farm girl - are all done with overly dramatic flair for comedic effect, and are superb.  She finds, mines, and milks every opportunity for a laugh without going overboard and is a delight to watch.

 

This is a demanding play that will clearly get tighter and funnier with each passing performance.  With opening weekend under its belt, this production of "The 39 Steps" is now a few steps closer to reaching its full potential.  

 

"The 39 Steps" continues through August 31 at Rabbit Run Theater in Madison Township.  For tickets, $19 to $21, call 440-428-7092 or visit www.rabbitrunonline.org.  

 


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