Producing theater company Flashback Theater Co. (FbTC) invites you on the adventure of
a lifetime with The 39 Steps adapted for the stage by Patrick Barlow from the novel by John
Buchan; the source material for Alfred Hitchcok’s iconic 1935 british spy thriller of the same
name. However, this adaptation is not your grandmother’s 39 Steps; taking inspiration from the
comedy stylings of acts like Monty Python and Mel Brooks, four actors, under the direction of the
fabulous local artist Jade Ellis, will take on over 150 characters to give you a theatrical experience
like no other! Featuring action, adventure, an onstage plane crash, handcuffs, missing fi ngers…and
some good old-fashioned romance! A winner of two Tony awards as well as a Drama Desk Award,
The 39 Steps will run Dec. 7-17 at the Flashback Theater Co. Black Box Theater.
Jade Ellis, a Flashback mainstay and owner of popular local boutique A Bazaar Universe,
discusses her approach to comedy, “(I’m approaching it) From every direction and dimension I
can.” She adds that she was drawn to the show for its contrast to the production of A Miracle on
34th Street she directed last December: “I wanted to do something fun. I wanted to do something
with a small cast. I wanted to do something that involves a lot of creativity for everyone involved
in the process. I love the opportunities for creativity that the show provides and I love laughing
while I’m working and working while I’m laughing.” Those who know Jade are familiar with the
artists unique style, which audiences can look forward to seeing live on stage: “my touch is so
unique and my styles are so personally mine, when I put my heart into something, that work is
going to be so infused with both, that’s just how it works. “
Jade Ellis (Director) directs her fi fth mainstage show after the success of Miracle on 34th Street,
The Mousetrap, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead!, and Miss Bennet: Christmas at
Pemberley. Prior to directing Ellis had appeared on FbTC and SCC stages for many years.
Beginning in a London Theatre, The 39 Steps follows Richard Hannay (Brian Herrmann), who
fi nds himself suddenly thrust into the position of a convicted murderer after he takes in a spy in
the midst of a conspiracy. With her dying breath, Annabelle (Jenny Denney, who also plays Pamela
and Margaret) warns Hannay that he must take to Scotland to stop a secret organization, known
as The 39 Steps, before it’s too late. With nowhere to turn and in bad need of an alibi, Hannay
takes off on a national tour to solve the mystery, prove his innocence, escape the clutches of The
39 Steps, and get the girl!
Brian Herrmann (Richard Hannay)
One summer and one job later, Brian is eager to return to the stage! As a fan of both Monty
Python and Mel Brooks, he hopes you’ll enjoy The 39 Steps as much as he does. Previous
Flashback appearances include The American Parade and As You Like It.
Jenny Denney (Annabelle/Pamela/Margaret)
Jenny is the director of choir and theater at Southwestern High School. She made her FbTC debut
in the spring of 2022, playing Clopas in Mary: Her Story. Most recently, she performed in
Flashback’s Fall Fringe Show The Thin Place (Hilda), and last spring’s musical production of
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (Johanna). She is thrilled to be on stage in
several productions this current season.
Along Hannay’s journey, he encounters zany local characters and mystery men, played by two
enigmatic clowns: Billy Christopher Maupin and Kailyn Ball. These actors will stun you with their
preternatural ability to shapeshift before your very eyes…from postmen to policemen to milkmen
to international supervillains and everything else in between. As well as having the acting chops to
take on a dizzying array of characters, these actors have unparalleled comedic prowess!
Billy Christopher Maupin (Clown #1)
Previous work with FbTC: Sweeney Todd, The Mousetrap, All Together Now! Directing Credits:
The Children’s Hour (Tabby Award), Becky’s New Car, Carrie the Musical (RTCC Award), Becky’s
New Car. Acting Credits: Much Ado… (Don John), Dracula (Dr. Seward), Smoke on the Mountain
(Rev. Oglethorpe). Associate Artist, Carpenter Science Theatre Company. Co-founder and
Associate Artistic Director Emeritus, 5th Wall Theatre
Kailyn Ball (Clown #2)
Kailyn is a student at Southwestern High School where she enjoys being a part of the theater
department. She played in the high school’s production of All the Boys Love Mary. This will be
her fi rst season with Flashback Theater Company. She is excited to be on the stage with several
Flashback regulars including her theater teacher, Jenny Denney.
Behind the scenes of this fabulous production is a top-notch team of creatives. Those who
have attended multiple productions in Flashback’s Black Box know that the setup of the space
varies and no two shows are exactly alike; the space will transform to meet the needs of the
production. Creating the unique atmosphere of this production is master craftsman Ian Zajkowski,
whose work might be familiar if you enjoyed any of the unique effects featured in the Annual
Haunted House at ABA-LLC. Renate Dopp, a resident ensemble member at Flashback, will stage
manage the production, keeping everything running smoothly. Dopp will also serve as a sound
designer, creating the unique soundscape that will transport the audience. Also on the stage
management team are two Assistant Stage Managers: Mahayla Mounce, who will also work on
the production’s props, and Sloan Smith.
Renate Dopp (Stage Manager/Sound Design)
Renate is excited to celebrate her 8th season with Flashback! Favorite FbTC stage management
highlights: Sweeney Todd, The Dollmaker, The Mousetrap, Every Christmas Story Ever Told….And
Then Some! (2016 and 2021), Pirates of Penzance, and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead.
Previous FBTC performances include Mary: Her Story, Little Shop of Horrors and season
announcement cabarets, among many others!
Ian Zajkowski (Set Design)
Ian Zajkowski comes from the vibrant maker community and always strives to blend creativity
with technical expertise. His focus is on transforming ordinary spaces into extraordinary
experiences with the goal of having his work to being a testament to the power of design.
Mahayla Mounce (Assistant Stage Manager)
Mahayla Mounce is a newcomer to Flashback, with The 39 Steps being her fi rst production.
Despite this, she has experience in theater and a passionate love for all of the arts. As an artist
and performer, Mahayla is thrilled to work on a fun and creative show like The 39 Steps.
While you may have seen Hitchcock’s fi lm or read Buchan’s original novel, you certainly
have never seen The 39 Steps like this before. This uber-theatrical piece is not just a love letter to
the source material, but a celebration of the transformative power of the stage. The medium of
theater offers unparalleled opportunities to experience the adrenaline and magic of this classic
mystery. Just in time for the holiday season, The 39 Steps is a joyous theatrical romp that you
don’t want to miss.
Production Information
The 39 Steps December 7-17, 2023
Adapted by Patrick Barlow from
The Novel by John Buchan Black Box Theater
Directed by Jade Ellis
Mix a Hitchcock masterpiece with a juicy spy novel, add a dash of Monty Python and you have
The 39 Steps, a fast-paced whodunit for anyone who loves the magic of theatre! This two-time
Tony and Drama Desk Award-winning treat is packed with nonstop laughs, over 150 zany
characters (played by a ridiculously talented cast of four), an onstage plane crash, handcuffs,
missing fi ngers, and some good old-fashioned romance!
Performance Dates and Times
Thursday, December 7th at 7:30PM
Friday, December 8th at 7:30PM
Sunday, December 10th at 2:30PM
Friday, December 15th at 7:30PM
Saturday, December 16th at 7:30PM
Sunday, December 17th at 2:30PM
Ticket Information
Tickets can be purchased online at: https://fbtc.ticketleap.com/39-steps/ or by calling the box
offi ce at (888) 394-3282, ext. 1. Box offi ce hours are Tuesday through Friday, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00
p.m.
Season ticket holders will be contacted in the fi rst week of ticket sales for each show to confi rm
the desired date of attendance. Seating will be assigned at the time of each show’s reservation.
Tickets for each production will be sent via email. Season tickets are $85 and include a seat at
each of the season’s fi ve productions.
Single ticket pricing for the 10th Season of Flashback productions will be:
Adults – $23 Advance, $25 Door
Students – $12 Advance, $15 Door
Seniors – $20 Advance and Door
Season Sponsors & Supporters
Flashback Theater is grateful to our 2023-24 Spotlight Sponsors: Applied Behavioral
Advancements, M&W Printing, The Shubert Foundation, The City of Somerset, David Daring
Rentals, and Fenix Digital; as well as our Footlight Sponsors: Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital
& Lake Cumberland Residency Programs, First & Farmer’s National Bank, The Weigel Family,
United Cumberland Bank, T. Ronald Kidd Trust, Kinetic by Windstream, Somerset Community
College, Toyotetsu America, Inc. (TTAI), Brad Bigelow of Century 21 Advantage Realty, and
Buffalo Wings & Rings.
The 39 Steps is presented with support from the show’s title sponsor: Cumberland Lake Shell.
Additional support is provided by Artist Sponsors DC Trimble General Contractors, Citizens Bank,
and Faith Healthcare, as well as Design Sponsor Phoenix Preferred Care,