by Patrick White
Patrick Barlow’s The 39 Steps from 2005 is hugely influential, satisfying on repeated viewings and evergreen in its current incarnation at the Lake George Dinner Theatre directed by the company’s Artistic Director Jarel Davidow.
The 39 Steps is an early action movie directed by Alfred Hitchcock based on a novel by John Buchan. Hitchcock contended that “For me, suspense doesn’t have any value if it’s not balanced by humor.” Barlow goes one step beyond and packs his play with as many laughs as you can possibly imagine.
The plot is simple in its convoluted fashion. A man, Richard Hannay, claiming to be bored, heads to the theatre and watches a music hall act called Mr. Memory, a man who can answer any question. He is soon joined by a mysterious femme fatale who follows him home and spills secrets before she spills her blood. Hannay is quickly on the run as a suspect and to clear his name must discover the secret of the 39 steps.
The cast of four play this action/adventure film for all it’s worth which is what makes this Hitchcock hilarious. If you watched this movie you would never think the story could be done on stage. There’s a race into the Scottish highlands by car, plane and train, multiple locations and 150 characters.
Director Davidow and his company achieve all this and more with minimal furniture, a couple of trunks, a door and a frame. Wind is suggested by shaking a jacket or scarf, windows are exited by climbing through picture frames and characters are changed with the addition or subtraction of a hat or wig…sometimes in mid-scene.
Hannay is played by Gil Brady with an unflappable savoir faire and a very attractive pencil mustache. Olivia Gjurich plays the three women bewitching Richard with devastating allure and wicked straight faced wit. Noah Casner and Tyler Nye play everyone else as Clown 1 and Clown 2. Their dialects, inventive energy and physical commitment are impeccable. Davidow has run a tight ship here.
The uber talented Marc Christopher has done the stage worn sets, lighting design by Rachel Budin, sound design by Kirk Longhofer and costumes by Gina Kowalski which I thought were especially sharp. There was a lot of care and precision taken with the costume pieces that are thrown on and off for a momentary impact on the story.
It was a high spirited hugger mugger for the soon to be golden leafed trip to Holiday Inn Resort. All this and dinner with a play loving audience? It all adds up to a perfect Fall excursion.
Lake George Dinner Theatre presents “The 39 Steps” adapted by Patrick Barlow from the Film by Alfred Hitchcock and the novel by John Buchan, directed by Jarel Davidow, September 25 – October 17, 2026, at the Holiday Inn Resort Lake George, 2223 Canada St Route 9, Lake George, NY. CAST: Gil Brady, Noah Casner, Olivia Gjurich, and Tyler Nye. CREATIVE TEAM: Set Designer Marc Christopher, Lighting Designer Rachel Budin, Sound Designer Kirk Longhofer, Costume Designer Gina Kowalski.
Lake George Dinner Theatre offers seven performances per week with matinee shows on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and evening shows on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Seating for the matinee begins promptly with lunch at 11:30 am with the performance at 1:00 pm. The evening show begins with dinner at 6:00 pm followed by the performance at 7:30 pm. Meal choices for both matinee and evening shows are Center Cut Bone in Pork Chop, Chicken Française, Faroe Island Salmon or Vegetarian Pasta Primavera. All meals are served with salad, rolls, dessert and coffee or tea.
Tickets are now available at https://www.lgdt.org . For more information, contact the office at 518-879-6218.