Arguably, the greatest combination in theater is suspense and humor. Suspense pushes the audience through the gripping throes of tense development, while humor provides the refreshing outbursts in the release in laughter. The recent revival of the Award Winning Play, 39 Steps, offers this combination in the most delightful ways.
There is certainly plenty to enjoy as the play takes audience through Britain at the brink of World World II as a fugitive scrambles to clear his name. As the heroine evades the pursuit of Scotland Yards and diabolical spies, the audience is able to conduct a little sleuthing themselves as they catch the numerous homages to Alfred Hitchcock’s films.
Unquestionably, the highlight of the play is the acting. The four actors effortlessly pass from one character to the next while populating the stage with a plethora of fascinating personalities that swirl with dynamic humor through the entirety of the performance.
Garrett Buhl Robinson is a poet living in Brooklyn. He recently adapted one of his novels into a musical, Letters to Zoey, which will world premiere this summer. www.robinsong.nyc
