BU Theatre to Present ‘The 39 Steps’

The Bluefield University Department of Theatre’s production of The 39 Steps will open on Thursday, October 21 at 7:30 p.m. in Harman Auditorium. The play will remain open through Homecoming and Family Weekend, showing at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, October 22 and Saturday, October 23 and at 3 p.m. on Sunday, October 24.

Theatre Department co-chair Charles M. Reese described the play as a fun and entertaining kickoff for the academic year. The story focuses on Richard Hannay, who finds himself in a two-hour chase scene, evading police and a secret spy organization, The 39 Steps. Patrick Barlow’s Tony Award-winning stage play is based on a 1935 Alfred Hitchcock film and a 1915 John Buchan spy novel, all titled The 39 Steps.

Hannay is portrayed by BU student Brian Fisher. Members of the cast will each have two to four roles in the production. The cast consists of BU students Kirsten Gilbert, Noah Jennings, and General Smith; BU alumna Sarah Minnix Vaughn; and local high school students Noah Monique and Josiah Hicks. Charles M. Reese and Theatre Department co-chair Rebecca McCoy-Reese are co-directing.

“This show is filled with humor, intrigue, action, and romance,” Gilbert said. “Collectively, we want to point particularly to the emotions of the protagonist, Richard Hannay, over the course of his frankly terrible experience being suddenly called on to save England. Some parts are comedic, some dramatic, and some touching.”

Admission is free for BU students, faculty, and staff, and Vocatio credit will be offered. Tickets will be available to adults for $10. Senior adults and students from other schools can purchase tickets for $5.

Social distancing will be enforced, and face coverings are recommended. A livestream is planned for those unable to attend or uncomfortable with attending, though Charles M. Reese says the show will be “much more fun in person.”