A comedy that received a Tony Award nomination for best play when it was staged on Broadway is getting the community theater treatment thanks to The Palos Village Players.
The group kicks off its 2022 season with “The 39 Steps” from Feb. 18-26 at Palos Park Recreation Center.
Showtimes are at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 18-19 and 25-26; and 2 p.m. Feb. 20.
“I love comedies. I had seen it before and there are things that I don’t want to give away but it’s amazing what just a few actors can do,” said Kimberly Dignin, director of “The 39 Steps,” who is working with assistant director Danette Halley of Hickory Hills and producer Sarah Callis of Orland Park.
The play was adapted by Patrick Barlow from John Buchan’s 1915 novel “The Thirty-Nine Steps” and the 1935 Alfred Hitchcock film “The 39 Steps.”
“It’s about Richard Hannay. He feels he is a living a very boring life. He decides to go to the theater one night where he meets an intriguing female spy. Subsequently, there’s a murder and he is on the run from the police and The 39 Steps,” said Dignin of Tinley Park.
“The 39 Steps” features more than 150 characters but the show in Palos Park only features six actors: Rudy Chavez of Oak Forest, Andrea Fleming of Steger, Halley, Alexander Lenkiewicz of Chicago Ridge, Gina Lutvi of Oak Lawn and Bryan Riess of Orland Park.
“My actors are able to do all different accents so we have Southern, American, Scottish, Cockney and British. They’re absolutely amazing and sometimes they have to be quick-change artists changing from costume to costume,” Dignin said.
“They are incredible with what they have put together in a few short months and how they’ve developed their characters for the show overall. It’s been a real treat to be able to laugh at every single rehearsal. They just keep getting better.
“After the last two years all of the laughter is healing in itself. That’s what I want our audience to get out of it too. I want them to be able to come to the theater, enjoy themselves and forget about everything for a while.”
The Palos Village Players, who most recently presented the long-awaited “On Golden Pond” in November, formed in 1941 and staged their first production in 1942.
“This is Palos Village Players’ 80th anniversary year so we are really excited to kick off the year with ‘The 39 Steps,” said Dignin, who is in her first year as a board member after being recruited by board president Len Wcislo.
“He wanted someone to try and help them get back into the swing of things during COVID and just trying to get people back in the theater,” said Dignin, a middle school drama teacher at Conrady Junior High in Hickory Hills who has been with North Palos School District 117 for nearly 20 years.
“He was hoping that my knowledge of working in a school with COVID restrictions would be helpful.”
The Palos Village Players’ 2022 season at Palos Park Recreation Center also includes “Art” by Yasmina Reza from April 29-May 7 and the musical “Something Rotten!” with book by John O’Farrell and Karey Kirkpatrick and music and lyrics by Karey Kirkpatrick and Wayne Kirkpatrick from Nov. 4-12.
Season tickets are $55 for the general public and $48 for seniors.
Dignin’s foray into theater was in 2010 when she was cast as The Baker’s Wife in “Into the Woods.”
“I’m actually an extremely shy person. I always knew that I had wanted to act and sing and such. One day the Tinley Park recreation center had a notice saying, ‘Tinley Park-Park District in association with Covered Bridge Studios will be hosting a musical. All community members are able to try out,'” she said.
“I just took the leap of faith and I’ve been sucked in ever since.”
Dignin has been in a professional improv troupe, done musicals and plays, and directed.
“Community theater really is the lifeblood of the community,” she said.
“You can have quality shows for a tenth of the price and just support people in your community. We have so much talent that you don’t really need to go to downtown Chicago. You have it right in your backyard.
“People are really missing out when they don’t go to see some of these shows and support local theater.”
‘The 39 Steps’
When: Feb. 18-26
Where: Palos Park Recreation Center, 8901 W. 123rd St., Palos Park
Tickets: $20 adults; $18 seniors and students
Information: 877-787-8497; palosvillageplayers.com
Jessi Virtusio is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
