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Director’s Notes

What are the 39 steps? Or should I say what is The 39 Steps? To find out what they are, you will have to watch the play . . . as for what it is let me attempt to explain . . .

My relationship to The 39 Steps started a decade ago when I was fortunate enough to witness the play’s original West End production. At the time I knew very little about it, but I soon learned that The 39 Stepswas originally a novel by Scottish author John Buchan published in 1915. Buchan was a famous writer of action spy novels in his time, and The 39 Steps remains his

most enduring work of fiction. The novel introduced readers to the adventuring hero, Richard Hannay, an ordinary Englishman who finds himself caught in a dangerous murder spy plot. One of the most captivating qualities of the story is this ‘ordinary man caught in extraordinary circumstances’ archetype. An archetype later utilized to masterful perfection by film auteur, Alfred Hitchcock, in a series of now infamous classics including The 39 Steps, Rear Window, and North by Northwest. In fact, Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps (1935) is widely considered by historians to be one of the greatest “British Films of All Time.”

As an avid fan of Hitchock’s films growing up—Psycho, Rear Window, North by Northwest, The Birds, etc.—these quintessential psychological thrillers all left a lasting impression on me. The stage version was no less significant. Conceived by Simon Corble and Nobby Dimon to be performed by four actors playing all of the characters, and funded by a £1,000 Yorkshire Artists Grant, the original production was viewed by only ninety people in a small village hall. In 2005, Patrick Barlow then rewrote the adaptation and fourteen years later the play continues to entertain audiences all across the globe. Upon its east coast premiere, the New York Post described The 39 Steps as the “most entertaining show on Broadway.”

This small West End play stands as one of the single funniest live experiences of my life. However I wanted to bring this play to life for Morgan-Wixson audiences not just for the madcap laughter, but for its heartfelt story of hope and love that lays beyond. A timeless story about ordinary people “doing the best they can.” This is the true heart of The 39 Steps and what makes it so endearing. I am very honored and delighted to not only direct this brilliant play, but to collaborate with such a talented assembly of actors, designers, and technicians. A huge debt of gratitude to my brilliant cast and production team for their contributions to every aspect of this piece— a genuinely significant group effort and labor of love.

I hope that you sit back and enjoy finding out . . . what are The 39 Steps!

—Aric Martin

most enduring work of fiction. The novel introduced readers to the adventuring

The 39 Steps

SETTING: Various locations throughout England and Scotland, 1930sDURATION: 1 hour and 45 minutes with a 15 minute interval

The Cast

RICHARD HANNAY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Christopher Tiernan

ANNABELLA SCHMIDT / PAMELA / MARGARET . . . Genevieve Kennedy

CLOWN 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tristan Griffin

CLOWN 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mikael Mattsson

The Production Team

PRODUCER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Larry Gesling

DIRECTOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Aric Martin

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR / COSTUME DESIGN . . . . . . . . . Kristie Mattsson

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . William Wilday

PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ashley DeFrancesco

ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kalila Horwitz

SET DESIGN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . William Wilday

LIGHTING DESIGN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . William Wilday

SOUND DESIGN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Greg Rutledge

ASSISTANT SOUND DESIGN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Geena Wong

PUBLICITY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Miriam Billington

WEBMASTER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hollister Starrett

BOX OFFICE MANAGER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Karen Miller

GRAPHICS AND PLAYBILL DESIGN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Linda Joyce Baer

Please Turn all electronic devices to silent

Unwrap anything needed before the show begins R efrain from texting during the performance

No recording or photography

Who’s Who in the Show

Christopher Tiernan (Richard Hannay) previously appeared in the MWT productions of [title of show](Hunter), Peter and the Starcatcher (Boy/Peter), Seussical (Cat in the Hat), and All Shook Up (Chad). He recently performed at the Torrance Theatre Company in their productions of The Drowsy Chaperone (Robert Martin) and A Catered Affair (Ralph). Chris trained at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where his credits included Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Show. He would like to thank Aric and Kristie for their guidance through this process, his castmates for all of the laughter and dedication, and Danny and his family for their patience and love.

Genevieve Kennedy (Annabella/Pamela/Margaret) is making her MWT debut with The 39 Steps. She hails from Brisbane, Australia, where she received a BFA in Acting from the Queensland University of Technology. She has appeared in the Women’s Voices Theater Group’s production of The Vagina Monologues at the L.A. Theater Center; A Catered Affair and Sister Act (The Musical) at the Torrance Theatre Company; and as Helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream with the Black Rock City Repertory. Genevieve was a member of the immersive theater troupe Underground Cinema in Sydney and studied improv at The Groundlings.

Tristan Griffin (Clown 1) received his BA in theatre from George Mason University. He enjoys directing, set design, and play-writing. JuMP Company: Annie (Drake/Healy); George Mason University: The Elephant Man (F.C. Carr Gomm), Into the Woods (Narrator); Western Wyoming College: (Mark Anthony); and West-End Theatre Company: Something’s Afoot (Nigel Rancour) and Greater Tuna (Didi, Vera, Phinas). He attended the Second City Conservatory in Chicago as well as Improv Olympic. You may have seen him onstage at The Morgan-Wixson Theatre as Owen in The Foreigner or as Mrs. Bumbrake in Peter and the Statcatcher.

the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where his credits

Tristan Griffinfrom George Mason University. He enjoys directing, set

Theatre Company:

the Second City Conservatory in Chicago as well as

The Morgan-Wixson Theatre as Owen in

from Brisbane, Australia, where she received a BFA in Acting from the Queensland University of Technology.

Mikael Mattsson (Clown 2) is excited to make his MWT debut in The 39 Steps. Mikael’s theatrical credits include Arsenic and Old Lace (Mortimer), Yonadab (David), Tartuffe (Orgon), Cat Among the Pigeons (Bois d’Enghien), The Way of the World (Fainall), The Secret Rapture (Tom) and First They Slaughtered the Angels (Michael). Mikael attended USC and received his Masters degree from the Guildford School of Acting in England. He can be seen starring in the horror feature film Scariest Night of Your Life streaming on Amazon Prime. Thanks to Kristie for all her love and constant support. Mikael is currently seeking representation.

Who’s Who in the Show

Production Team

Aric Martin (Director) is thrilled to be directing The 39 Steps after previously directing Spring Awakening and [title of show] at the Morgan-Wixson. Other directing credits include Burn Thisby Lanford Wilson, Romeo & Juliet,

Macbeth, Killer Joe by Tracy Letts, and Edmund by David Mamet. He won a Best Director Award from the Strawberry One-Act Festival for his work on Trespass by Nelsan Ellis. Aric received his training at the The Juilliard School of Drama. Many thanks to family, friends, and husband Jeremiah for their continued love and support.

Kristie Mattsson (Assistant Director / Costume Design) is no stranger to this community having recently accepted the 2018 Geoffrey Award for Best Director (Mary Poppins), and serving as the MWT Costume Designer for numerous productions. She has been the full-time Costume Designer at Santa Monica College for fifteen years now. Besides lending her talents to freelance theaters around L.A., Kristie spent fourteen years producing, directing, and mentoring kids involved in El Segundo’s Youth Drama Program. Some of her favorite directorial endeavors to date include The Full Monty, Drowsy Chaperone, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and most especially The Mystery of Edwin Drood.

*Meet the cast and ask questions at our audience talkbacks follow-

ing performances on Friday, January 25th and Sunday, February 3rd

Production Team

Larry Gesling (Producer) is happy to be helping to bring this outrageous Comedy to life at the MWT. Although they may be few, the cast is mighty, all four of them. Thanks to Aric, the Cast and Crew for all their hard work. Enjoy!

William Wilday (Set Design / Lighting Design / Technical Director) has worked in Southern California theaters for over forty years as an actor, director, designer (sets, lights, sound, special effects), master carpenter, technical director, stage manager, and technician, averaging around thirty shows per year. Recent designs include True West and Baby Doll at Pacific Resident Theatre and 42nd Street at the MWT.

Ashley DeFrancesco (Production Stage Manager) is excited to be back at the Morgan-Wixson Theatre after stage managing last summer’s hit production of Mary Poppins. Ashley discovered a love for teaching at an early age and is currently “playing” her favorite role: a 5th grade teacher at American Martyrs School. She is also a writer for the online movie review website cinemacy.com. The 39 Steps has been her favorite play since first reading it in high school and Ashley is eternally grateful to Aric and Kristie for helping her to achieve her dream, and giving her this spectacular opportunity.

Kalila Horwitz (Assistant Stage Manager) is thrilled to be part of her first production at the Morgan-Wixson, having just graduated from Santa Monica College with degrees in Performance and Technical Theatre. A few of Horwitz’s previous credits from her time at SMC include: Stage Manager for the Fall 2018 Musical Theatre Workshop, and Costume Technician for A Christmas Carol, The Comedy of Errors, and Into the Woods.

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www.morgan-wixson.org

Santa Monica’s Morgan-Wixson Theatre

The Morgan-Wixson Theatre is one of the oldest arts organizations in Santa Monica but, true to its dramatic mission, it is constantly reinventing itself. The organization was founded as the Santa Monica Theatre Guildin 1946, with the present theatre building being constructed in the 1960s with mostly community volunteer labor. Geoffrey Morgan was a prominent Santa Monican—playwright, orator and State Assemblyman. Mel Wixson, whose name was added in 1981, was also a longtime Santa Monica resident and actor who died shortly after performing on our stage. Thanks to their vision, and the dedication of many like them, the Morgan-Wixson has been the home of hundreds of productions from across the performing arts spectrum and is known as a place where talent can train, theatrical passions can be sustained, and the community can be engaged in live theatre that entertains, enriches, and educates.

Explore “Behind the Scenes” at the MWT

Santa Monica’s Morgan-Wixson Theatre is a nonprofit 501(c)-(3) theatre for the community, and we’re always interested in expanding our organization with new talent and energy.

Donors — This play was made possible, in part, through tax-deductible donations from grateful patrons just like you. Ticket revenue covers a portion of the MWT’s operating costs, but royalties, property taxes, insurance, maintenance, and more means that we depend upon our donors’ generosity to assist us in defraying these expenses. Thank you for helping keep this small, independent theatre alive and thriving!

Volunteers — The play you are enjoying is a collaboration of many different people. We are seeking volunteers to assist with ushering, hospitality, auditions, set construction, painting, props, sound, lights, costume design and alterations, promotional activity, and other aspects of the theatre. No experience is necessary to begin—some of us came in to see a show and we’re still here! Email volunteers@morgan-wixson.org or visit https://www.morgan-wixson.org/volunteer

Membership — General Members receive admission to each Mainstage production, the right to vote at meetings, and the benefit of attending (and voting for) the annual Geoffrey Awards night. (Individuals: $100, Seniors / Students: $85). For further details visit www.morgan-wixson.org /membership.

Participating Members are those interested in making a strong commit-ment to assist us with at least three volunteer events—same benefits as general members. (Individuals : $35, Immediate Families: $60).

Our Mainstage Season AT THE MORGAN-WIXSON THEATRE

Our Youth Education/Entertainment SeriesAT THE MORGAN-WIXSON THEATRE

Heartfelt thanks to our supporters as of 12/31/18!TECH ANGELS ($250 +)

Billington FamilyMr. G

Holscher FamilySpencer Johnson

Thea LawsonMarc and Shaina OstroffPalmer-Schrader Family

Meredith Wright

TECH SUPPORTERS ($100 to $249)Jim Crilly

AnonymousMargit Friesacher

Anne and Larry GeslingCori and Maia Goldberg

Michael HeimosHochman Family

AnonymousAnonymous

TECH FRIENDS ($50 to $99)Joe Anderson

Margarita KouzelAnonymous

Janet PaquetteLinda Porucznick—

“In loving memory of my Uncle Mel Wixson and Aunt Grace Godino”Doris and Bob Ruvelson

Saul SaladowBridget and Donald Solomon

It is not too late to donate to More to Hear & See @ MWT! Please help us raise funds for critical updates to our stage sound and lighting systems. All donations are tax deductible.

Thank you for your continued support as we work toward upgrading, updating, and renovating this beloved community theatre!

Fixin' the Morgan-Wixson – Phase I: The Seats

~ Seat Donors ~

The Rotary Club of S.M.Lewis | Schoeplein Architects

Kids on Stage, Inc.Westside Children’s Theatre

Andrea AbramsThe Arlen Family

Marilyn & Jigmae BaerThe Bard/Ryan Family

Al BarlaanStephen BillingtonMiriam Billington

Zoe BillingtonFrancesca Billington

Daisy BillingtonLauren Blair

Lois BostwickValeri Braun

Pat Ibsen BrooksLucy & Jim BurksThe Callen Family

Lyn CampbellFrank Campbell

Kathy Caverly & David ArataSofia Cohen

The Cohen FamilyKrystal Combs & Family

The Karpel & Combs FamilyChristima CoxBrendan Craig

Sarah D’AgostinoThe D’Andrea Family

Clayton DavisSophie Davison

John EidenJ’Quinn & Edan Einbinder

AnnaLisa EricksonBeanie FeldsteinRichard FeldsteinSharon FeldsteinHarriet Finebaum

Sadie & Holden FisherArden FranklinAlan Freedland

Cindy FreedlandJason FreedlandSara Freedland

Mr. G.Earl Garnes

The Gee Family

Jim & Caroline GerstleyAnne & Larry Gesling

Nelson J. GilmanSophie Golay

Luna & Mia GorlickArielle GreenShirelle Green

The Han-Servadio FamilyAlison Miller HavelThe Havel Family

Michael Jackson-HeimosAndre Jackson-Heimos

Ben HelscherThe Hirshland FamilyThe Hochman FamilyThe Holscher Family

Spencer JohnsonJanet Johnston

Cheryel L. KananDebbie Kanan

Mark, Therese & Adriana Kaplan

Phil & Ruthie KarpelTheodore Kinsella

Ken Kofman & Andrea KingMargarita Kouzel

Daisy KouzelEthan Kuwata

The Lapeyre FamilyAnnie LaskeyTom Laskey

Thea LawsonThe Layman FamilyJim & Sue Leedom

Toby LehrLaura, Julianne,

Carol & Paul LevinRobert Levor &

Paul Block-LevorCathy Linder

Don & Mary LloydVirginia Rush Lloyd

Margaret Baker LongJim & Alice Lunsford

The Malin FamilyGreg & Momoyo Martin

The Matsuda FamilyThe Mayer FamilyThe Meisel Family

Rocky & Victoria MillerThe Minobe-Wilday Family

Milla MorettiChris Morrison

Kelly Moore MoseleyChad Moseley

The Murrah FamilyThe Newlander-Einstein

FamilyThe Nibbelink Family

Nahzi NikkiMarc & Shaina Ostroff

Monty OxmanLexie Palmer

The Palmer/Schrader FamilyJanet & Joe Paquette

Krystal & Jim RheinwaldQuinn Robinson

Saul SaladowPepe SaladowFrodo Saladow

The Saltzman FamilyMary Beth SciarabbaCynthia Sembower

Neil SembowerSheila Cole-Sherman

In Memory of Susan D. SmithHollister Starrett

David & Stephanie SternRiley & Morgan Stoler

Charles StrouseDahlia TrillingIn Memory of

Patricia Verchot-Van DykEmily Verla & Family

The Vig FamilyEvelyn VizziSteve Vizzi

Nicholas VizziMimi VizziElla Ward

Gene WarechAydin Larenz Washington

The Weber FamilyJennifer Weinstein

Christa & William WilkMel Wixson & Grace Godino

Meredith WrightChristine Wright Roper