The 39 Steps

By Patrick Barlow

Directed by Rich Smith

Mix a Hitchcock masterpiece with a juicy spy novel, add a dash on Monty Python, and you have The 39 Steps, a two-time Tony and Drama Desk Award-winning play!

Richard Hannay goes to a London theatre where he observes a demonstration of the remarkable powers of “Mr. Memory,” a man with photographic memory, when a fight breaks out and a shot is fired. In the ensuing panic, he encounters a frightened Annabella Schmitt, who talks him into taking her back to his flat. There she tells him that she is a spy being chased by assassins. She claims to have uncovered a plot to steal vital British military secrets, implemented by a man who is the head of an espionage organization called “The 39 Steps.”

Mayhem ensues as this frantic farce careens from place to place and muddle to mess. The conclusion combines mishaps, mistaken identities, 150 zany characters, an onstage plane crash, good old-fashioned romance, and tongue-in-cheek references to classic murder mysteries, film noir, and detective movies. It is a fast paced ‘who done it’ combined with the magic of theatre!

Produced by Over Our Head Players at Sixth Street Theatre, Racine

Performances: May 30 - June 21, 2025

Performance Times:
Shows run Fridays through Sundays. Friday performances are at 8:00pm Saturdays are at 5:30pm and 8:00pm Sundays are at 2:30pm.

Ticket Prices: $21

Call 262-632-6802 for reservations or more information.

Auditions

Auditions will be held on the following days:

4/1/2025

The Over Our Head Players will be holding open auditions for the comedy “The 39 Steps” by Patrick Barlow. Auditions will be held on Tuesday, April 1st beginning at 7:00pm at the Sixth Street Theatre, 318 Sixth Street, Racine. They are seeking 5 actors to complete the cast.

The roles and actors needed:
- 1 male – Age 35-50
- 2 females – Age 20-40
- 2 comedic actors/clowns – any age or gender to play multiple characters at a very fast pace. Strong physical acting/comedy experience preferred.

Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script. For more information, please leave a message for Managing Artistic Director, Rich Smith at the theatre box office, 262-632-6802 or at boxoffice@overourheadplayers.org.

Volunteers are also needed in all technical capacities, including stage management, props, costumes, set construction, lights, running crew, ushers, and concessions. Those interested in any of those positions can inquire at volunteers@overourheadplayers.org.