Interview With The Director Of Peninsula Community Theatre's Production Of The 39 Steps

 August 9, 2021 Off Top Of My Head Interview with Mike Diana the Director Of Peninsula Community Theatre's production of “The 39 Steps” live onstage now for the next two weekends (www.pctlive.org for tickets and information). 

OTMH- Good Morning Mike 

MD- Morning, I must say feels like I am talking to my mirror. 

OTMH- Get over it. 

MD- Right. 

OTMH- Your show opened this past weekend and garnered rave reviews from those who attended. 

MD- Yes it was great to have an audience and they certainly did enjoy themselves. 

OTMH- Why The 39 Steps?

MD- I've always wanted to do the show, but the technical aspects of mounting it as well a finding the right 4 actors to pull it off has always been a concern. With the COVID mandates making open auditions somewhat perilous due to gathering restrictions as well as the possibility we could be forced to shut down at any moment (no audience more than 10-20 would make it fiscally impossible to succeed) put added stress on the enterprise. 

                                        

 OTMH- But you did find the 4 actors you wanted?

MD- Yes. With the assistance of my production manager we were graced with two perfect additions to our cast based on her recommendation. She also was instrumental in our indispensable Stage Manager and Lighting Designer joining the company. We were ready to get going. 

OTMH- What was your overall concept for the show? 

MD- I wanted to give the audience the feeling of watching a 1930's film. I felt that in noir movies of that period the music and sound effects enhanced that experience so I wanted to add a soundscape to what was taking place on stage. 

OTMH- Isn't that an unusual addition for a stage play?

MD- The usual things like birds chirping or bells ringing or gun shots find there way as sound effects, but I wanted a soundscape with film and related period music. I also asked for foley-like FX, along with “stings” for dramatic moments and swells of strings for romantic moments. It was undertaken by Brian Murray and over the months we crafted a wonderful soundscape that lifts the production to new heights. It certainly adds to the experience. 

OTMH- How did you manage to cover all the scene changes and locations in the movie? 

MD- My creative team was crackerjack. After my initial design was completed I enlisted the aid of my Stage Manager, Lighting Designer, Costumer and Assistant Director to bring those designs to life. And they did a hell of a job. We managed to cover just about every theatrical convention with a few surprises thrown in to boot. Very happy with result. 

OTMH- It sounds like it. Has COVID changed your approach to performances and cast interaction?

 MD- Actually all of our cast, crew and staff have been fully vaccinated and the theater has gone through extraordinary additional steps to ensure cast, crew and audience will be in a clean environment, even to the point of using commercial grade disinfectants and equipment to treat the bathrooms, lobby and auditorium between each performance and ensuring all CDC guidelines are followed. We feel good about being in the building. 

OTMH- What about distancing? 

MD- The house is only being sold at 65% capacity. Seats are being reserved for those who would feel more comfortable with a bit more distance in the seating. Anyone can move before the ` show. 

OTMH- So, what are the 39 steps? What is the plot of the play? 

MD- What are the 39 steps? That's why one needs to see the play. It's all about finding out what they are. Let's just say it is a 1935 Hitchcock spy thriller based on the novel written in 1915. In the early 21st century it was adapted (taking great license) as a comedic stage play(multiple award winner) and has been performed on the West End as well as on and Off Broadway.

OTMH- What we can expect watching the show?

MD- Oh...well...there are surprises galore and some great bits of slapstick and, while homage is paid to various Hitchcock films, anything and everything is fair game for a laugh.

OTMH- Sounds great. Thank you for playing along with this bit of tomfoolery and taking the time to offer some insight into your production of The 39 Steps to potential readers as well as potential audience members. See you in the mirror real soon.

MD- It's been my pleasure. It would be grand if everyone came to Peninsula Community Theatre to
see our production of The 39 Steps. I guarantee a belly laugh or two.

GO TO WWW.PCTLIVE.ORG FOR TICKET AND INFORMATION