The 39 Steps:Jeffrey Kuhn and Francesca Faridany assume roles

Jeffrey Kuhn and Francesca Faridany join the cast of Alfred Hitchcock�s The 39 Steps on 28 Oct 2008. Kuhn will play the role of 'Man #1' and Faridany will play the roles of 'Annabella Schmidt,' 'Margaret' and 'Pamela.' They assume their roles from original cast members Jennifer Ferrin and Cliff Saunders, who played their final performances on 26 Oct 2008.

Kuhn�s Broadway credits include playing 'Giuseppe Zangara' in 'Assassins' (2004), 'Boq' in Wicked, Sir Bedevere in Monty Python�s Spamalot and the original company of Ragtime (1998).

Faridany�s is making her Broadway debut in a featured role, she previously understudied the role of 'Ruth' in 'The Homecoming' (2007).

As previously announced The 39 Steps will play its final performance at the Cort Theatre on 11 Jan 2009, before re-opening at its new home, the Helen Hayes Theatre, on 20 Jan 2009.

The 39 Steps had its Broadway premiere at the American Airline Theatre where it ran from the 4 Jan to 29 Mar 2008 for a limited engagement, before transferring to the Cort Theatre on 29 Apr 2008 for an open-ended commercial run, where it is currently selling tickets through to 11 Jan 2009.

The Broadway premiere of The 39 Steps opened to mostly excellent reviews: "Entertaining comedy" (New York Theatre Guide); "Throwaway theater at its finest. And that�s no backhanded compliment."; (NY Times); "Pushed Hitchcock's brilliance into some riotous realm of satire, without losing its essentially Hitchcockian flavor" (NY Post); "A jaunty homage to Hitchcock, "The 39 Steps" is whirlwind funny business." (Star-Ledger); "An utterly pointless but physically and conceptually ingenious spoof " (NewsDay); "See the movie. And forget the show." (Journal News); "An entertaining diversion"; (Variety).

The 39 Steps is adapted by Patrick Barlow and directed by Maria Aitken. The production is based on an original concept by Simon Corble and Nobby Dimon and on the book by John Buchan.

The 39 Steps: Seeking a frivolous night out at the theatre, Richard Hannay is lured into a world of intrigue by a mysterious woman claiming to be a spy. When she winds up dead in his flat, he flees London with the police hot on his trail. The �unstageable� thriller is staged, with four cast members playing a minimum of 150 roles.

The production now features Sam Robards (Richard Hannayl), Arnie Burton (Man #2), Francesca Faridany (Annabella Schmidt/Pamela/Margaret) and Jeffrey Kuhn (Man #1).

The creative team features Peter McKintosh (set and costumes), Kevin Adams (lighting) and Mic Poo (sound).

The 39 Steps contains every single legendary scene from the award-winning movie � including the chase on the Flying Scotsman, the escape on the Forth Bridge, the first theatrical bi-plane crash ever staged and the sensational death-defying finale in the London Palladium, besides many other favourite cinematic moments, including the memorable and controversial �stockings and suspenders� scene!

The 39 Steps has been a hit in London�s West End, where it continues its run at the Criterion Theatre.The production received its American debut at Boston�s Huntington Theatre Company.