{"id":32475,"date":"2017-03-18T11:21:13","date_gmt":"2017-03-18T15:21:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/news\/?p=32475"},"modified":"2017-04-26T08:51:37","modified_gmt":"2017-04-26T12:51:37","slug":"comedy-rules-spring-production-alfred-hitchcock-spoof-39-steps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/news\/2017\/comedy-rules-spring-production-alfred-hitchcock-spoof-39-steps\/","title":{"rendered":"Comedy rules in spring production of Alfred Hitchcock spoof ‘The 39 Steps’"},"content":{"rendered":"

Eastern Mennonite University\u2019s Main Stage spring production, \u201cThe 39 Steps\u201d is a zany fast-paced Alfred Hitchcock spoof. Other descriptions of the award-winning Broadway show include energetic<\/em>, chaotic<\/em>, quirky<\/em> and packed with laugh-out-loud humor<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe 39 Steps\u201d runs March 31-April 8 with 7:30 p.m. evening performances March 31 and April 1, 6 & 8, and 3 p.m. matinees Sunday, April\u00a02 and Saturday, April 8.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis production is a mashup of Looney Tunes, Charlie Chaplain, Monty Python, and good old-fashioned spy thrillers,\u201d said director Justin Poole<\/a>, professor of theater.<\/p>\n

Poole wanted actors who take risks and are “great, generous collaborators.” In part, because the seven-character ensemble takes on over 100 roles, including inanimate objects \u2014floor lamps, telephones, armchairs.<\/p>\n

At a recent rehearsal, it\u2019s clear Poole got the cast he needed. Their commitment and enthusiasm are palpable. In addition\u2014they appear to be having fun.<\/p>\n

\u201cI’m honored to be working with such a dedicated group of student actors and crew,\u201d Poole said. \u201cThey never cease to exceed my expectations.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
From left: Clara Bush, Collin Dutt, Emma Roth and Abigail Greaser rehearse a scene in “The 39 Steps.”<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Show grows out of research and improv<\/h3>\n

The ensemble\u2019s preparation included watching favorite videos of old film clips, sketch comedy shows, and cartoons, following by a discussion on how their research could inform performance choices.<\/p>\n

The show also has grown out of improvisations and the actors\u2019 creativity and unique interpretation, said Clara Bush. The junior theater major plays the three main female roles. \u201cIt isn’t like a standard play you would go to see. It is inventive, truly special, and absolutely hilarious. I have laughed harder working on this show than I have in a long time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Comedies play an important role in building community, Poole said. \u201cThey remind us of one of the most vital aspects of our shared humanity: a sense of humor.\u201d<\/p>\n

Make ’em laugh<\/h3>\n

The players take their work seriously, perfecting a frenetic pace of humorous antics and accents. Props suddenly appear and disappear; sets move constantly and an abundance of sound effects and Hitchcock\u2019s atmospheric music come together in an intricate choreography, thanks to Poole\u2019s staging and his competent cast and crew.<\/p>\n

Senior theater major Jeremiah Hines moves flawlessly through the chaos as Clown Member 3. His job one minute is to move an interactive set piece and in the next moment, he becomes a floor lamp and telephone. In addition, his responsibilities include creating ambient sounds and sound effects.<\/p>\n

\u201cThroughout the entire play, I play a clown character that makes the world appear and disappear,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Because the show isn\u2019t meant to be taken seriously, audiences can \u201csit back and enjoy the ride,\u201d Poole said. \u201cThis piece is pure entertainment. I think that people of all ages will enjoy the high comedic energy of the actors. It’s like watching a highly choreographed magic show with dynamic comedic performers.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tickets are available through EMU\u2019s box office online at emu.edu\/box-office<\/a> or by calling 540-432-4582 between 10:30 a.m.-2:30 pm weekdays. Tickets vary from $9-14. EMU students $5.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThe 39 Steps\u201d Cast and Crew<\/h3>\n

Collin Dutt: Hannay<\/p>\n

Clara Bush: Pamela, Margaret, Annabella<\/p>\n

Emma Roth: Clown 1<\/p>\n

Abigail Greaser: Clown 2<\/p>\n

Jeremiah Hines: Clown 3<\/p>\n

Robert Weaver: Clown 4<\/p>\n

Dylan Peachey: Clown 5 (assistant stage manager)<\/p>\n

Jim Clemens: Musician<\/p>\n

Ethan Eldred and Esther Ajayi: Sound and Foley<\/p>\n

Ezrionna Prioleau: Stage Manager<\/p>\n

David Vogel<\/a> and Phil Grayson: Lights and sets<\/p>\n

Holly Labbe: Costumer<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Eastern Mennonite University\u2019s Main Stage spring production, \u201cThe 39 Steps\u201d is a zany fast-paced Alfred Hitchcock spoof. Other descriptions of the award-winning Broadway show include energetic, chaotic, quirky and packed ... read more about Comedy rules in spring production of Alfred Hitchcock spoof ‘The 39 Steps’<\/span><\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":32476,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7931,14715,5861,17562,17564,5147],"tags":[17094,16868,15040],"feature":[17427,17423,17426,17241],"class_list":["post-32475","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-arts","category-campus-life","category-conferences-and-events","category-digest","category-events","category-theater","tag-david-vogel","tag-holly-labbe","tag-justin-poole","feature-emu-home-page-feature","feature-featured-undergrad","feature-myemu-feature","feature-news-feature"],"yoast_head":"\nComedy rules in spring production of Alfred Hitchcock spoof 'The 39 Steps' - EMU News<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/news\/2017\/comedy-rules-spring-production-alfred-hitchcock-spoof-39-steps\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Comedy rules in spring production of Alfred Hitchcock spoof 'The 39 Steps' - EMU News\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Eastern Mennonite University\u2019s Main Stage spring production, \u201cThe 39 Steps\u201d is a zany fast-paced Alfred Hitchcock spoof. Other descriptions of the award-winning Broadway show include energetic, chaotic, quirky and packed\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/news\/2017\/comedy-rules-spring-production-alfred-hitchcock-spoof-39-steps\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"EMU News\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/EasternMennonite\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2017-03-18T15:21:13+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2017-04-26T12:51:37+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2017\/03\/20170315-Theater-Rehearsal-39-Steps-058-1000px.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1000\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"667\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"admin\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@EMU_News\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@EMU_News\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"admin\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"3 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/news\/2017\/comedy-rules-spring-production-alfred-hitchcock-spoof-39-steps\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/news\/2017\/comedy-rules-spring-production-alfred-hitchcock-spoof-39-steps\/\",\"name\":\"Comedy rules in spring production of Alfred Hitchcock spoof 'The 39 Steps' - 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