By Ruth Ross
That David Cantor (below, right) is a star of the local theater scene is evident in his portrayals of Henry Higgins (My Fair Lady) and John Adams (1776)—both at Edison's Plays-in-the-Park—and the profane Ricky Roma (Glengarry Glen Ross) at the Chatham Community Players. Thus, it is no surprise that he turns in an equally stellar performance as the wrongly accused Richard Hannay in the madcap romp satirizing Alfred Hitchcock's mystery The 39 Steps, now raising dramatic mayhem in the little black box Chatham Playhouse on North Passaic Avenue!
If you missed last season's superb production at the George Street Playhouse, not to worry, for the Chatham Community Players' efforts are every bit as accomplished. This is parody at its finest, carried out by a plethora of costume changes (hats, skirts, wigs), a few props arranged and rearranged to change scenes and locations, and four actors in a multitude of roles. Delightful!
Based on a well-known Hitchcock film that was itself based on a 1914 novel by John Buchan, The 39 Steps follows the vicissitudes of life on the lam of one very bored ("tired of life") Richard Hannay. Forced to run to prove his innocence in the murder of the beautiful and mysterious Annabella Schmidt in his Portland Mansions apartment, Hannay must find a man with a missing finger joint, romance a beautiful blonde and unravel a mystery of existential proportions. Will he prevent the secrets from being passed to the Nazis? Will he save (and get) the girl? And what are the 39 steps? Sit tight and all will be made clear by curtain fall.
Bell Wesel makes her début as a director at CCP, but her previous experience is evident as she keeps the action and the actors rolling along at breakneck speed on a set designed by Roy Pancirov—actually four trunks, an armchair, a door, several windows (mostly frames) and two theater boxes that have been built at the sides of the stage. With the audience seated on three sides, the action is very close and the hysteria palpable. (Left: Erica Knight, David Cantor, Chip Prestera and Glen D. Post)
Portraying Richard Hannay, David Cantor remains in character throughout the entire play. He displays great comedic timing (especially when he "chides" the lighting and sound technicians for their mistakes—this is a play about the theater, too), agile physical prowess as he "jumps" from a "moving" train, hangs from a trestle, and "runs" along the tops of moving train cars with his scarf "flying" behind him! His English accent is impeccable, too, as is that of the other three actors. It is a pleasure to watch a real pro in action!
As German femme fatale Annabella Schmidt, innocent Scottish housewife Margaret and blonde bombshell Pamela, Erica Knight is hilarious. Her German accent (substituting "w" for "v" as in “inwolwed”) and thick Scottish brogue draw gales of laughter, and she is adept at physical comedy too, whether swaying on a moving train or running in a stiff wind. Glen D. Post and Chip Prestera portray all the other roles, including London Palladium performer Mr. Memory, a paper boy, a cop, an irascible innkeeper and his wife, and an international spy, all by changing a hat or a wig, donning an apron or putting on a skirt. Kudos to costume designer Tom Marshall for making this possible. The clowns have an especially side-splitting turn at a political rally where Hannay delivers a bombastic speech full of nonsensical promises! (Above right: Chip Prestera and David Cantor)
Joe DeVico's sound, complete with train engines, moos, wind, adds to the fun. Richard Hennessy's lighting is appropriate to the myriad of scenes and times of day, and Tish Lum has gathered a plethora of odd props and furniture to set the scenes.
As a parody, The 39 Steps references the oeuvre of the master of suspense, Alfred Hitchcock. To that end, every time a title of one of his films is mentioned, a chime sounds, to the audience's delight! The story line of this play may be absolutely ludicrous, but it is great fun to watch it unfold so close to the audience. With superb acting and excellent production values, the Chatham Community Players has a killer hit on its hands. Call now for tickets. I predict it will be a sell-out!
The 39 Steps will be performed at the Chatham Community Playhouse, 23 N. Hillside Ave., Chatham, through October 20. For Information and tickets, call the box office at 973.635.7363 or visit online at www.chathamplayers.org.
Photos by Howard Fischer
