The clever, laughter-filled comedy “The 39 Steps” opens a three-weekend run Sept. 12 at the Players Guild of Dearborn with Alex Gojkov (left) of Dearborn as Clown 1, Tiffany Mullins of Livonia as Clown 2, and Farmington Hills residents Ross Grossman as Richard Hannay and Sarah Zakaria as Pamela/Annabella/Margaret. For more information, call 313-561-TKTS or go to playersguildofdearborn.org.
By Sue Suchyta
“The 39 Steps,” a clever, laughter-filled comedy and Alfred Hitchcock spoof, launches the Players Guild of Dearborn’s 87th season.
The three-weekend run opens Sept. 12, with performances at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2:30 p.m. Sundays at the theater, 21730 Madison in Dearborn.
For tickets or more information, call 313-561-TKTS or go to playersguildofdearborn.org.
Directed by Alan Ellias of Farmington Hills, the show features four versatile actors playing multiple roles: Alex Gojkov of Dearborn, Tiffany Mullins of Livonia, and Farmington Hills residents Ross Grossman and Sarah Zakaria.
Ellias said he thinks of the show as Hitchcock meets Carol Burnett.
“It’s so clever and smart that they figured out how to take this Alfred Hitchcock movie, which I don’t think really stands on its own as well today as it did in 1935, but to say, ‘Wow. We can make this really funny,’” Ellias said. “The whole gag basically is that there are four people playing all the parts. That is amazing.”
He said the performances should have the audience roaring in laughter.
“This is definitely a show that is about pure entertainment,” he said. “It is about coming and having a fun night out.”
Zakaria said each cast member plays multiple roles, and the rehearsal process has been fun and full of creativity.
“It was an Alfred Hitchcock movie, so it’s kind of got that mystery thriller element to it,” she said. “But then it is kind of kooky and zany at the same time. It’s really fast-paced and there is a lot of comedy and humor in it, too, so it’s fun.”
Grossman said he tells friends that the show is not as serious as a Hitchcock movie, and has a dose of the fun elements that fans loved about the “Carol Burnett Show,” a variety/sketch television comedy that ran from 1967 to 1978, and in the fall of 1991.
“There’s no moral,” Grossman said. “You are not going to walk away with learning something about yourself or about the characters. It is just fun. We all need to laugh.”
Gojkov said that while the show is scripted, everything is on the fly, and the physical humor will garner a lot of laughter.
“It is very fast-paced,” Gojkov said. “It’s a funny show, and there are some good lines. The script is mostly from the Hitchcock film, but it is portrayed in a very melodramatic way, so it has a lot of sight gags and things of that nature throughout the show.”
“The 39 Steps,” is adapted by Patrick Barlow from the novel by John Buchan and the movie by Hitchcock, and based on an original concept by Nobby Dimon and Simon Corble.
PGD AUDITIONS FOR ‘SOUTH PACIFIC’
Auditions for the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical “South Pacific” begin with 6:30 p.m. registration Sept. 15 and 16 at the Players Guild of Dearborn, 21730 Madison.
Children’s auditions begin at 7 p.m., with adult auditions at 7:30 p.m. Those auditioning need only attend one of the two nights.
For character descriptions, go to the Guild’s website, playersguildofdearborn.org. For music cuts, email Julie Malloy at [email protected].
Performances run for four weekends, Nov. 14 to Dec. 7, with shows at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. Sundays.
Brian Townsend will direct, with Malloy as musical director and Laura Tyler as choreographer.
To save time, download and complete the audition form and conflict sheet available on the website.
All who audition should come dressed for a movement audition and be prepared to perform cold readings from the script.
SCP AUDITIONS FOR ‘1940’s RADIO HOUR’
Southgate Community Players will hold auditions for “The 1940’s Radio Hour” at 7 p.m. Sept. 7 and 8 at The Corner Playhouse, 12671 Toledo-Dix Rd. in Southgate, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. for registration.
Performances are 7 p.m. Nov. 14, 15, 21 and 22 at Davidson Middle School Auditiorium, 14600 Dix-Toledo Road in Southgate.
The show features 1940s music, dancing and radio sound effects as a radio station performs a December 1942 holiday broadcast for the troops fighting overseas in World War II.
The show features a harried producer, a drunken lead singer, a second string singer who dream of singing a ballad on the air, a delivery boy who wants a chance at the microphone, and a young trumpet player who must choose between Glenn Miller and military service.
For more information, call 734-282-4727 or go to scponstage.com.
DAG AUDITIONS FOR ‘MIRACLE ON 34th STREET – THE MUSICAL’
The Downriver Actors Guild holds auditions for “Miracle on 34th Street – the Musical” at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 4 and 5 at the Theater on the Avenue, 2656 Biddle in Wyandotte. Callbacks will be from 2 to 6 p.m. Sept. 6 if needed.
Deborah Aue will direct the show, with music direction by Sara Leonard.
The show runs for two weekends, Dec. 12 to 21, at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays.
The holiday classic follows single mother Doris Walker, who does not want her 6-year-old daughter Susan’s head filled with romantic notions, including a belief in Santa Claus. When Macy’s Santa shows signs of being the real deal, however, the resultant holiday good cheer that spreads throughout New York City may melt even the most hardened hearts.
For more information, call 313-303-5269 or go to downriveractorsguild.net.
HILBERRY OPENS SEASON WITH ‘BOEING, BOEING’
Wayne State University’s graduate Hilberry Theater Company opens its season with Marc Camoletti’s laughter-filled comedy, “Boeing, Boeing” Sept. 19 to Oct. 4.
A French bachelor has a happy life juggling American, Italian and German stewardesses until air technology speeds up and throws his carefully-timed world into hysterically funny pandemonium.
The show features guest-director Lenny Banovez, co-founder and artistic director of the New York City’s Titan Theatre Company.
The cast includes Brandon Grantz as Bernard, Sarah Hawkins Moan as Gloria, Miles Boucher as Berthe (now Bert), Brandy Joe Plambeck as Robert, Annie Keris as Gabriella and Bevin Bell-Hall as Gretchen.
For tickets or more information, call 313-577-2972 or go to wsushows.com.