"The 39 Steps": Where Minimalism, Secret Agents, and Comedy Intersect

A hidden gem lies at the heart of Centerstage Theatre. Disguised as a patron (wearing a wig if you wish), come with your ticket in hand and bring your best poker face!

The 39 Steps is a slapstick comedy take on Hitchcock’s classic spy thriller. Filled with thick accents, a sprinkle of murder, and well-timed suspense, even the most hardened stoics will be forced to break. Played by a cast of four, the 150 characters will make you laugh, cry (from the hysterics), and then laugh once more for good measure. This rendition by Centerstage embraces a bare-bones set to cultivate plenty of hilarious moments, underscored by a sense of hospitality that makes every event-goer feel seen. 

The play follows Richard Hannay, an ordinary Brit, as he gets tangled up with an undercover spy, Annabella Smith, who is on the run. When she is murdered in his hotel room, he is the only one who can complete her mission of thwarting a plot to steal top-secret British information. Now the police’s prime suspect for the crime, Hannay must traverse the land in search of the man at the head of the conspiracy group the “39 Steps.” As he comes face to face with death, jumps through windows and out of trains, and evades an angry husband jealous of his dashing looks, the audience wonders: Will he be able to save the country? 

The set itself has very few props: a doorframe on wheels, a vertical bed, and a group of four chairs that, with a binder as the steering wheel, transformed into a “car” before once more dispersing into hotel seats. This overall theme of minimalism seems at first to be in sharp contrast with the demands of the plot. After all, how can you simulate a cross-country journey in trains, cars, and hotel lobbies without a massive production? The talented cast, however, owns these struggles, using them to comic effect. I couldn’t keep a straight face while watching one actor have an argument with themselves, furiously switching between two different headwears, dressing and undressing while pivoting on their heel. So-bad-it’s-good sound effects, male actors playing grandmas, and the introduction of the hat on a cane as a secret agent caused laughter to abound. During the train scene, the cast was able to simulate wind by tugging on one another’s coats, creating a ripple effect. This cartoon logic stretched beyond just carrying window frames as portable “escape devices.” Actors rushed the aisles, surrounding the audience in Tom-and-Jerry chases that made use of empty seats. Leashes connected to invisible guard dogs (with the help of a little imagination) traversed up and down, searching for fugitives, as cast members ducked to be obscured from view. There were even segments where the cast pointed to audience members during speeches. When the bumbling genius Mr. Memory pointed his finger my way to ask for a question, I froze for a moment. It felt like I had been pulled into the middle of the drama.  These touches took the comedy to the next level, truly immersing the audience in the play and bringing their spy dreams to life. 

Centerstage also does an excellent job of making each person who enters the theater feel at home. From the moment I entered the door to the moment I left, staff were ready to guide me and chat with me. The theater itself is mid-sized, with only around 35 seats filled when I attended. Centerstage took full advantage of this close space, kicking off the show with an interactive introduction by the directors where new members were welcomed and those involved in the community were given personalized shout-outs. Even from before the play began, I could tell that the jokes were golden! During intermission, I got to exchange a few words with one of the directors while he was making rounds. It was clear he liked hearing from the audience, chatting about theater but also experiences, sports, trips—life in general. The cast’s efforts to connect with the audience even when the stage lights were not shining made the entire production feel intimate in a way that I believe makes Centerstage special.

At its end, this carefully curated comedy prompted a standing ovation. As I headed towards the exit, my only wish was that more people could see this masterpiece. The Centerstage community is truly the “third place” missing in so many of our lives — one that I hope more teens discover. At the worst, you will spend two hours laughing uncontrollably. And at best, you may find something even more valuable than a secret spy’s treasure: a home outside of home. 

Lead photo: The cast of The 39 Steps. Photo courtesy of Centerstage Theatre.

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