"39 Steps' promises to keep audience on toes

Jerico Whitaker plays Mrs. McGarrigle and Ken Thompson plays Mr. McGarrigle as they rehearse a scene from "The 39 Steps." During the Capitol City Players rendition of the play, four actors will play many characters in this parody of an Alfred Hitchcock movie.
Jerico Whitaker plays Mrs. McGarrigle and Ken Thompson plays Mr. McGarrigle as they rehearse a scene from "The 39 Steps." During the Capitol City Players rendition of the play, four actors will play many characters in this parody of an Alfred Hitchcock movie.

If you're accustomed to bringing beer or wine to Capital City Players productions, you might consider switching to a cup of Rocket Fuel coffee for "The 39 Steps." You'll need a good amount of energy just to watch the frantically paced Alfred Hitchcock parody, Director Rob Crouse warns.

"It's something people have never seen in comedy, and I don't know they're ever going to see anything like it again," Crouse said.

The show is based loosely on the Alfred Hitchcock film by the same name that chronicles the adventures of Richard Hannay, a man on the run after being falsely accused of murder. He's swept into the world of spies, assassins and intrigue.

The zany comedy borrows from the likes of Mel Brooks and Monty Python to create a show that's part espionage, part physical comedy.

What: Capital City Players dinner theater production of "The 39 Steps" When: Friday through Sunday and March 15-18.

Time: 6:30 p.m., except for the Sunday matinee performances, which start at 12:30 p.m.

Cost: $30 for the dinner and show. Call the ticket line, (573) 681-9012, or buy tickets from the website, www. capitalcityplayers.com

On the menu: Choice of swiss steak or vegetable lasagna

  1. Florida (21-2) beat Tennessee 94-78. Next: at Georgia, Wednesday.
  2. Wisconsin (22-2) beat Northwestern 69-52. Next: at Penn State, Wednesday.
  3. North Carolina (20-3) lost to N.C. State 83-79. Next: at No. 8 Duke, Wednesday.
  4. Ohio State (20-3) beat Michigan State 63-54. Next: vs. Michigan, Tuesday.
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  6. Kansas (19-3) vs. No. 10 Texas A&M. Next: vs. Kansas State, Wednesday.
  7. Pittsburgh (20-3) did not play. Next: at West Virginia, Wednesday.
  8. Duke (18-4) did not play. Next: vs. Florida State, Sunday.
  9. Oregon (19-4) lost to Southern California 71-68. Next: vs. Arizona State, Thursday.
  10. Texas A&M (18-3) at No. 6 Kansas. Next: vs. No. 22 Texas, Monday.
  11. Memphis (19-3) beat SMU 88-52. Next: at UAB, Thursday.
  12. Oklahoma State (18-4) lost to Colorado 89-77. Next: at Oklahoma, Wednesday.
  13. Butler (22-2) beat Wisconsin-Milwaukee 66-47. Next: at Cleveland State, Thursday.
  14. Marquette (20-4) beat Providence 69-62. Next: vs. Rutgers, Wednesday.
  15. Nevada (20-2) vs. Hawaii. Next: at Fresno State, Thursday.
  16. Virginia Tech (16-7) lost to Boston College 80-59. Next: vs. Virginia, Saturday.
  17. Air Force (20-3) beat Wyoming 88-43. Next: at San Diego State, Tuesday.
  18. Washington State (18-4) at Arizona State. Next: vs. No. 23 Stanford, Thursday.
  19. Alabama (17-5) beat South Carolina 64-61. Next: vs. Mississippi State, Wednesday.
  20. Arizona (15-7) beat Washington 84-54. Next: at Arizona State, Thursday.
  21. Notre Dame (18-4) at South Florida. Next: at DePaul, Thursday.
  22. Texas (16-6) lost to Kansas State 73-72. Next: at No. 10 Texas A&M, Saturday.
  23. Stanford (14-6) at California. Next: at No. 18 Washington State, Thursday.
  24. Vanderbilt (15-7) vs. Georgia. Next: at Tennessee, Saturday.
  25. Clemson (18-5) lost to Georgia Tech 80-62. Next: vs. Florida State, Wednesday.