Alfred Hitchcock’s “The 39 Steps” is an exciting and complex choice for a high school play with its blend of suspense, physical comedy, and fast-paced action. In Lebanon Trail’s production, the success of the show wasn’t only due to the strong acting, but also the impressive coordination between the cast and technical crew. The combination of inventive stagecraft and tight performances made for an engaging and dynamic experience, keeping the audience entertained from start to finish.
“For me, the hardest part about playing Richard Hannay was building his character. I needed him to be a character that kept more to himself and was more casual, rather than most characters that I would play that are more expressive,” Senior Jackson Benovitz said.
Benovitz explains the ins and outs of his character and what the most challenging part was.
“In order to fully commit to my character [Richard Hannay], I was making him a more casual, ordinary guy, while also making it comedic. I had to create small unwritten things that would happen in each scene to my character that would be funny and make him react,” Benovitz said.
Benovitz’s coordination between physical comedy and the perfectly timed technical cues—whether it was a change in lighting or a door-slamming sound effect—ensured the audience stayed fully immersed in the story.
“I fully committed to the character while also making it comedic by learning to have fun with the role and taking risks through different scenes. I decided what my character’s internal interests and feelings were and translated that into an entertaining comedy.” Sophomore Nitya Ajjampudi said.
Ajjampudi’s commitment to playing her character led to a successfully comedic and elevated story. This creativity, coupled with strong direction, elevated what were originally simple scenes into engaging moments that had the audience laughing.
“The process was primarily focused on clear communication and recognizing that not everyone is fully aware of the situation at all times. Being able to keep the show’s momentum going was [to] understand the timing and of cues, such as lighting and sound cues, ensuring they were executed seamlessly and at the appropriate moments.” Senior Deen Sainju said.
Coordination between the actors and the stage crew was essential, as the smooth scene transitions kept the fast-paced energy intact. As stage manager, Sainju worked tirelessly behind the scenes to allow the cast to keep up the momentum without being weighed down by complex set changes.
Overall, The 39 Steps was an impressive example of how thoughtful collaboration between actors and the technical crew can elevate a production. The play’s success lay not just in the performances but in the way the technical elements enhanced the comedy, suspense, and pacing, making this production a standout.
