Jered Mclenigan, Eli Lynn, Dave Johnson
& Lee Minora
Lantern
Theater Company is producing Patrick Barlow’s rollicking version of an old hit,
fashioned after an Afred Hitchcock movie. The 39 Steps, has the audience
laughing from the very first moments when a shadowed figure behind a lit screen
appears like Alred Hitchcock to the last moments that end with a twist. This
fast-paced route has no let-up. Hannay (Jered McLenigan) is accused of murder
early on and spends the rest of the farce trying to prove his innocence and save
the world from the mysterious 39 steps.
Lee Minora portrays both the
victim of murder and Pamela , who for the most part is Hannay’s nemesis. I
overheard an audience member stating that “both actresses were really good.”
Let that be a testament to Ms. Minora that the audience member did not realize that
she was portraying both parts. Eli Lynn and Dave Johnson play a multitude of
roles to perfection. The timing is superb with costume changes sometimes nothing
more than a quick switch of a hat or coat. The quicker the change, the faster
the audience had a reaction with chuckles, guffaws and belly laughs heard throughout
the theatre all night long. The result of each design team’s efforts was extraordinary.
Nowhere more than this production does, ”It takes a village,” ring true. Levonne Linday was responsible for the seamless
costume changes of the many minor character in the productions. While Sound Designer Christopher Colucci produced a
realistic sounding train, Projection Designer Michael Long and Scenic Designer
Dirk Durosette convinced everyone in the audience that the characters might
actually be traveling on one. Shon Causer’s light implied the image of a train coming down the
tracks. His spotlights upon suspected criminals were hysterical. The 39
Steps has been extended through June 22 and can be seen at 923 Ludlow
Street in St. Stephen’s Church Theater.
Get tickets now. You’ll laugh yourselves silly.
l
