The 39 Steps: Sam Robards assumes the role of Richard Hannay

Sam Robards joins the cast of Alfred Hitchcock�s The 39 Steps this evening (8 Jul 2008), playing the role of 'Richard Hannay.'

Robards assumes the role from Charles Edwards, who originated the role in the 2007 Olivier Award-winning London production. Edwards played his final performance on 6 Jul 2008.

Robards made his Broadway debut playing 'Gustav Eberson' in 'The Man Who Had All the Luck' (2002 revival) for which he was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play. He last appeared on Broadway in 'Absurd Person Singular' (2005 revival). His film credits include: 'Awake,' 'Perestroika,' and 'Marmalade.' He can currently be seen in the TV series 'Gossip Girl' in which he portrays 'Howie Archibald.'

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.

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 comedy has been nominated for six 2008 Tony Awards, including Best Play. The Broadway production has been nominated for six 2008 Tony Awards, including Best Play; three 2008 Drama Desk Awards, including Unique Theatrical Experience; three 2008 Outer Critics Circle Awards, including Outstanding New Broadway Play; and a 2008 Drama League Award for Distinguished Production of a Play.

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 also features Arnie Burton (Man #2), Charles Edwards (Richard Hannay), Jennifer Ferrin (Annabella Schmidt/Pamela/Margaret) and Cliff Saunders (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 first production of The 39 Steps was directed by Fiona Buffini and produced on stage by North Country Theatre in April 1996 at the Georgian Theatre, Richmond, North Yorkshire.

The 39 Steps received its American debut at Boston�s Huntington Theatre Company.

(For more information click here)

Sam Robards