Lipscomb Theatre kicks of its new season Friday with <em>The 39 Steps</em>

Grace Mestad | 

Lipscomb Theatre kicks of its 2016-17 season with a staged version of Alfred Hitchcock’s film thriller, The 39 Steps, beginning this Friday, Sept. 16. The show will run Sept. 16-18 and 23-25 at 7:30 p.m. in Lipscomb’s Flatt Amphitheater.

The 39 Steps, features six actors playing 139 roles in 100 minutes of fast-paced fun and thrilling action. 39Steps_LARGE

“We are very excited to kick off our season this fall with a staged version of Alfred Hitchcock’s film thriller The 39 Steps,” said Beki Baker, chair of Lipscomb Theatre. “Everyone will get a kick out of watching this British mystery outside in the Flatt Amphitheater. With six cast members playing multiple characters, the play calls for lightning-fast quick changes, a lot of physical comedy and complicated stage tricks that are sure to entertain both a younger and older crowd.”

Directed by Kari Smith, adjunct faculty for Lipscomb’s Department of Theatre, the show features Lipscomb students: Connor Weaver, as Richard Hannah, Emily Meinerding as Pamela, Hunter Martin as Clown 1, Corey Miranne as Clown 2, Robyn Smith as Margaret and Brooke Bethel as Anabella.

Smith says the show likens the comedic styles of Monty Python, and from an early age, she has always been fond of the fast-paced energy this show provides the audience.  

“When I was a kid, my siblings and I watched a lot of Monty Python, Mel Brooks and Leslie Nielson movies,” said Smith. “We loved the over-the-top characters, brilliant puns and hilarious physicality that the actors embodied. When I read The 39 Steps, I knew that directing this show would be such a fun opportunity to create some of this type of farce with my students.”

Tickets are regularly $17 for adults, $12 for university faculty/staff and $5 for students per show. To purchase tickets, contact the Lipscomb Box Office at 615.966.7075.

Other shows premiering this season include:

  • - Disney’s Beauty and the Beast – Oct. 27-Nov. 6 in Collins Alumni Auditorium
  • - Ragtime with the Nashville Symphony Orchestra – Jan. 19-20 at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center
  • - Peter and the Starcatcher – Feb. 17-19 and 24-26 in Shamblin Theatre
  • - Elevate – March 8-10 in Shamblin Theatre
  • - Richard II in conjunction with the Nashville Shakespeare Festival – April 13-16 and 20-23 in Shamblin Theatre

For more information about the 2016-17 Lipscomb Theatre season, click here.