The 39 Steps

Classic British thrills from the Master of Suspense himself, Alfred Hitchcock, are the flavor of Spokane Civic Theatre’s next main stage production, but this staged version turns the comedy dial all the way up, with a twist. While the original 1935 film takes audiences on a wild chase as one man attempts to evade assassination by a shady spy network (the titular “39 Steps”), encountering a long list of good and bad actors in the process, this version boasts a lean cast of just four. The rapid-pace role changes — with actors occasionally playing multiple roles in the same scene — are complemented by oodles of Hitchcockian references. The Civic’s production of The 39 Steps is directed by Heather McHenry-Kroetch, and stars the compact cast of Dallan Starks, Dana Sammond, Dan Bisbee and Jaron Fuglie.

The 39 Steps • Jan. 20-Feb. 12, Thu-Sat at 7:30 pm, Sun at 2 pm • $10-$35 • Spokane Civic Theatre • 1020 N. Howard St. • spokanecivictheatre.com • 509-325-2507