Photo Flash: First Look at Maryland Theatre Ensemble's THE 39 STEPS

In Maryland Ensemble Theatre's new production, actor Matt Baughman plays our hero, Richard Hannay, who is introduced to the espionage organizations know as "The 39 Steps" through a spy portrayed by MET company member Lisa Burl. Lisa plays all three women romantically entangled with Hannay in the show while Tad Janes, MET's Artistic Director, and Andrew Baughman quick-change their way through the dozens and dozens of other men, women and children characters. All four of the show's actors will be familiar to audiences from numerous appearances on the MET stage.

Director Gene´ Fouche´ is a founding member of MET and has directed dozens of productions, most recently the original show I Am (Not) My Mother, Christopher Durang's Why Torture is Wrong, and the People Who Love Them and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. The production team includes costumes by Tirza Fogle, set design by Greg Davis, sound design by Tom Majarov, props by Rona Mensah and lights by Tabetha White.

Playwright Patrick Barlow is an English actor and comedian. He wrote in the adaptor's forward to The 39 Steps (Samuel French, 2009) about his process, "One of the thrilling things about writing this was the challenge of putting an entire movie on stage - complete with train chases, plane crashes, shadowy murders, beautiful spies, trilbied heavies, dastardly villains with little fingers missing, not to mention some of the most iconic moments in the history of cinema. There is much opportunity for comedy and satire here. But it's also a love story."

The show will run from September 6 through 30 every Thursday through Sunday at the MET, located in the historic FSK Hotel at 31 W Patrick Street. The first Thursday performance will be a $5 preview night (cash only at door) and the first Sunday performance will be a gala night with a reception preceding the performance sponsored by The Greene Turtle. Tickets are $15 (Thursdays) through $24 and can be purchased at 301.694.4744, marylandensemble.org or in person at the Maryland Ensemble Theatre box office. This production is made possible in part through the support of MET's season sponsors including Comcast, The Frederick Gorilla, Key 103, Eagle 106.9, Ausherman Family Foundatoin, Mark A Pitts Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, The Gazette and both the Frederick and Maryland Arts Councils.

Now in it's fifteenth season the Maryland Ensemble Theatre produces thought-provoking theatre, fun family entertainment, artist residency programs for public schools, theatre camps, challenging classes and the side-splitting Comedy Pigs.

Photo Credit: Joe Williams

Cast of THE 39 STEPS

Cast of THE 39 STEPS

Cast of THE 39 STEPS

Cast of THE 39 STEPS

Cast of THE 39 STEPS