The Lantern, one of Philadelphia’s most interesting theaters, is reviving The 39 Steps. Featuring just four performers playing dozens of characters, Artistic Director Charles McMahon keeps up the pace, noting that “The 39 Steps is a whizzing, deliriously funny, romantic, suspenseful, and all around exhilarating comedy-and-thriller tour de force.” You can say that again. It sure is. The quick-fire action never pauses. When the curtain goes up, the madness begins, with antic goings on, in and out of doorways, mixed with snappy remarks and endless circular chases.
During his productive years Hitchcock hung onto elements of The 39 Steps, recycling them: Innocents plagued and chased after for a crime someone else committed, the femme fatal who is smarter than the man on the run, smooth and urbane bad guys, and slow-witted police. Not exactly new, in 2005 Playwright Patrick Barlow adapted the play from John Buchan’s novel and Alfred Hitchcock’s movie. For a show about someone framed for a brutal murder, it has lots of humor. The multi-talented crew is can be comically over the top. And there’s excellent music.
McMahon, Lantern cofounder, has shown himself to be the versatile master of anything you’d care to put on a stage, and when he has actors like this to work with, it’s a palpable hit. The splendid cast and able director use every gag in the book to produce an engaging audience pleaser. The audience loved it.
[Lantern Theater Company at St. Stephen’s Theater, 923 Ludlow Street] May 15-June 22, 2025; .lanterntheater.org
Cast: Dave Johnson, Eli Lynn, Jered McLenigan, Lee Minora
Adapted by Patrick Barlow from the novel by John Buchan and the movie by Alfred Hitchcock
Directed by Charles McMahon, Scenic Designer: Dirk Durossette, Levonne Lindsay: Costume Designer, Shon Causer: Lighting Designer, Christopher Colucci: Sound Designer, Michael Long: Projections Designer, Leslie Ann Boyden, Stage Manager; Talia Speak, Assistant Director; Stacy Maria Dutton, Executive Director
Due to strong audience reaction the play has been extended to Sunday, June 22.