39 Steps.

39 Steps.

 Based on the book by John Buchan and the movie by Alfred Hitchcock, The Bergen County Players put on an adaptation by Patrick Barlow. The play features just 4 actors playing multiple roles: Paul Aiello, Normajean Pfautsch, Joshua Switala and Craig Woodward. The play is directed by Steve Bell.

 The Bergen County Players always do a great job with their productions, the shows are first rate! 39 Steps is no different; the acting, staging (Gerard Bourcier), the lighting (Allan Seward); and the sound design (Tim Larsen) really hit the mark. 

 The two hour show never gets slow; the laughs keep coming as the actors bring the various roles big time. Set in England as well as Scotland, Richard Hannay (Woodward) never gives up on finding what the 39 steps are and how will they effect the world.

 In the movie Hitchcock is all business. The movie is a serious one. When it was produced on Broadway, the production team as well as the direction went towards a little bit more comedy. Last night, The Players has the Firehouse Theatre in Oradell howling with laughter. 

 With it's smallish, economical stage, the direction in all the shows performed use the staging magnificently! Here the actors banter about with great ease. The direction too gives the audience an open view towards the plot. We always feel up close and personal with this play as if we are in it. 

 Everytime I come back to Oradell to watch The Bergen County Players, I am amazed at the great quality that they put forth. The acting is always good, the sound and staging are always sensational and the people who volunteer their time are always pleasant. 

 Come see the "39 Steps" before it closes. The show is done really well and you will have many laughs watching it!

.............................................................................................................

Next up is Joe Turner Has Come And Gone. The same day I will attend The Rocky Horror Picture Show at the fitting Studio 54.

Both shows are up for Tony Awards and the reviews for both were terrific. The Rocky Horror Picture Show has been done on Broadway several times. In the late 70's it was done, I remember going to see it at the Marquis when Joan Jett was in the musical. I think the year was 2000 but I am not certain. The musical was produced a few times more since 2000. It always brings out the fan loyalists as well as audiences who have heard about this cult movie turned musical.

Joe Turner Has Come and Gone too is an audience favorite. Written by August Wilson, Joe Turner like most, if not all his plays takes place in the Negro section of Pittsburgh.Wilson is always good in his writing about Negro life during the different decades in which he lived there. Wilson has written some sensation plays that I enjoyed; "Fences" comes to mind when I think about August Wilson. I think the selection of Joe Turner was a very good choice. I have read the play but have never seen it on stage.

Wilson always gives you an underlying message in his plays. He also brings forth the Negro life, their subtle struggles with everyday life; societal life as well. Wilson, however, never throws the struggles in your face. He always gives a watchable play, one that is easy to watch.

I may sneak in The Balusters after these two. I am a little reticent, however. I really dislike Kenny Leon as both a director and a person. He tends to take traditional plays and turn them into a radical political rant which makes audiences run for the exits. I personally think Kenny Leon is a horrible director.

Robert Massimi, No Bull With Raging Robert, Tony Awards, Matt Ross is an asshole, Adam Feldman is an asshole, August Wilson, Joe Turner Has Come and Gone, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Studio 54, Hollywood, Iran, Negro's, Pittsburgh, 39 Steps, Alfred Hitchcock.