ACT performing arts magnet high school presents “The 39 Steps” on Dec. 7-9

EASTCONN’s Arts at the Capitol Theater presents “The 39 Steps” – a night of fun and frolic – on Dec. 7-9 at 7 p.m. at the Capitol Theater in downtown Willimantic (896 Main Street). Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for children/seniors/members of the military and $5 for ACT Students and EASTCONN employees. Call 860-465-5636 to reserve tickets or for more information.

What happens when an ordinary man’s ordinary life is interrupted by a beautiful, mysterious woman being pursued by gunmen? You’ll find out in “The 39 Steps,” an action-packed spoof/adaptation of the Alfred Hitchcock film written by Patrick Barlow. The performance will have you at the edge of your seat, as a silly story of spies and scandal unfolds before you.

Watch as Richard Hannay (played by Orpheus Wilson of Ellington) climbs atop a train, gets chased down by a plane, and tries to clear his name – all while a cast of characters frantically switch hats around him!

ACT’s Show Performance class has been rehearsing under the direction of Michael Lerner, the new head of the acting department. Since the start of the year, they have worked on bringing life into their many characters: a head-strong ingenue (played by Aleksandra Popovic of Ellington), vaudeville-style performers (played by Maryssa Gusan of Norwich and Freddie Downey of Willimantic), thickly-accented and nosy hotel owners (played by Izzy Jacques-Snow of Ellington and Antony Ramos Pagan of Willimantic), a prominent but puzzling professor (played by Jaeden Prochorchik of Willimantic), and over 20 (!) additional characters between them.

“‘Discovery’ has been the word of the day, every day, as the students have brought their silliest comic ideas to try out in rehearsals,” Lerner said. “All production departments have let their imaginations run more than a bit wild with their creative designs for costumes, set pieces, props, sound effects and lighting! It’s been a pleasure to work with such imaginative students who have such great instincts for humor on my first production at ACT.”

This production comes together through the collaborative efforts of ACT’s Acting, Media Arts, Technical Theater, and Integrated Arts & Management pathways, under the guidance of their department teachers Dan Boisvert, Colin McNamee, Sarah Murphy, and Ava Molnar. Media Arts student Miles Petrucci (Lebanon) will be stage managing through an Integrated Arts & Management elective offered to all students.

One weekend only! You don’t want to miss out on the opportunity to see this intriguing performance. “The 39 Steps” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com.