By Gerard Flanagan, news writer/photographer/social media, Office of University Communications
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. –Enjoy more than a few tricks and a treat of a show with the upcoming play “The 39 Steps.”
The play, presented by Heritage Children Services, Campbellsville University Theater and Town Hall Productions and inspired by Alfred Hitchcock’s 1935 classic film of the same name, will be broadcast as a live radio drama at 6 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 31, on Q-104 (104.1 WCKQ).
The play’s synopsis said, “This romantic thriller is a fast-paced ride through the signature world of the Master of Suspense.”
According to the synopsis, Richard Hannay is visiting 1930s London when he meets Annabella Smith, who is on the run from foreign agents after a disturbance at a music hall. Later that night, Smith is murdered, and Hannay must then try to break the spy ring and prove his innocence.
From an epic train chase to a feisty love interest, Hannay has his work cut out for him as he searches for the truth about The 39 Steps.
The play is directed by Alia McClendon, community theater manager at Campbellsville University.
Cast members are as follows: Sarah Fanning, who graduated from Campbellsville University in 2018, playing the roles of Annabella Smith, cigarette girl, newsboy, sheep, innkeeper, waitress and usherette; Chris Gibbs, who graduated from Campbellsville in 1996 and is an information technology infrastructure manager at Campbellsville University, playing the role of Richard Hannay; Jon Heineman, a Campbellsville attorney, playing the roles of the play’s announcer, Mr. Memory, man No. 1 at the Music Hall, ticket merchant, man No. 1 on the Alberdeen Express, police officer No. 2, driver, Professor Bartlett and Alfred; Jenny Kawa, an actress from Greensburg, Ky., playing the roles of the woman at the Music Hall and Pamela Stewart; and Aaron McKinley, who graduated from Campbellsville University in 2019, playing the roles of the manager, man No. 2 at the Music Hall, conductor, man No. 2 on the Alberdeen Express, police officer No. 1, George, Joe, a detective and a doctor.
Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 12,000 students offering over 100 programs of study including Ph.D., master, baccalaureate, associate, pre-professional and certification programs. The website for complete information is www.campbellsville.edu.