Photo by Luke Haughwout
© Warner Theatre 2015

The 39 Steps is absolutely hysterical; Katherine Ray as director combines Marx Brothers sensibility to the frame of a Hitchock story and hilarity ensures thanks to the four members of the cast who play ALL of the roles in the show! Nutmeg Chatter had the opportunity to pose a few poignant questions so that our readers could learn a little more from these very funny actors Daniel R. Willey, Joe Harding, Holly Martin and Dick Terhune! Here’s the result!

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Daniel R. Willey portrays “Clown 2”. He returned to the Warner Theatre after performing in Evil Dead: The Musical and has performed at TheatreWorks New Milford and at the Phoenix Stage Company in Naugatuck where he is a member of Abridged, the improvisational sketch comedy troupe.

(c)2015 Warner Theatre photograher: Luke Haughwout

NUTMEG CHATTER (NC): The 39 Steps is a spy story. Which cast member would last longest as a “spy”?

DAN: The best candidate for a spy is, in its nature, unknowable. They may even be a spy RIGHT…NOW…

NC: Each cast member uses an accent during the show (Scottish, British, German, etc). Which cast member is most likely to use their character’s accent in their daily life like at the bank or grocery store?

DAN: Holly Martin could use her German accent to charm most anyone. I myself already use various accents in situations unrelated to stage work, such as when I purchase scones and tea.

NC: What do you think the 38th step was?

DAN: The 38th Step was an experiment involving an attempt to complete the Kessel Run using a flux capacitor to provide radial pressure in excess of 9000 Newtons per square meter. The experiment was a failure.

NC: Dan, you play over 60 roles in the show. Is that difficult for a method actor?

DAN: Es tut mir leid, ich bin nicht imstande, Englisch zu dieser Zeit zu sprechen.

NC: Now within The 39 Steps you play a character called Mr. Memory; how much are you like your character “Mr. Memory”?

DAN: I’m sorry could you repeat the question?

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Joe Harding portrays “Clown 1” in 39 Steps. Harding performed in Chitty, Chitty Bang Bang, Babes in Hollywood, Fiddler on the Roof, Ragtime, Sunset Boulevard and many more!

(c)2015 Warner Theatre Photographer Luke Haughwout

NUTMEG CHATTER (NC): Joe, you perform over 60 roles in the production. If The 39 steps had a sequel based on one of your roles, which role do you think would be worthy of exploring further?

Joe: The puddle. Of course I would love to explore the depth of any puddle, it’s the deepest role I play in the entire show.

NC: Which cast member would last longest as a “spy”?

Joe: I would say Holly would have the easiest time getting a secret out of the rest of us. However. Our director speaks a number of languages and owns a plethora of weapons!

NC: Which cast member is most likely to use their character’s accent in their daily life?

Joe: As far as using a foreign accent; I’ve been using several accents with my clients at work. I work with individuals with brain injuries and laughter always comes in handy.

NC: What was the 38th Step?

Joe: I always thought the 38th step was a plan to silence parliament, but it was reconsidered, with the thought being that it may raise the moral of the British people.

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Holly Martin portrays three characters in The 39 Steps: Annabella Schmidt/Pamela/Margaret. Martin has performed at the Warner’s Nancy Marine Studio for Reefer Madness and Songs for a New World and has performed in a multitude of roles in NYC productions including Almost Maine, Tongues/Savage Love, City of Angels and more!

(c)2015 Warner Theatre photographer Luke Haughwout

NC: Which cast member would last longest as a “spy”?

Holly: For some reason, I’d say Dan would last the longest. Especially because, as we know, he is a master of disguise and can wear a dress quite nicely if he had to. Lol

NC: Which cast member is most likely to use their character’s accent in their daily life?

Holly: oh I bet Dick would use his charming British accent to smooth talk the old lady at the grocery store to get a discount any day! Hehehe

NC: What was the 38th step?

Holly: The 38th step is how many times it takes for Joe to keep his mustache’s on during the show. Lolol

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Dick Terhune portrays Richard Hannay in The 39 Steps. He has portrayed the Devil in Damn Yankees, Pilate in Jesus Christ Superstar, Peron in Evita, John Wilkes Booth in Assassins and many more!  His voice over work is highly sought after and he has added his voice in Xbox’s Darkest Days and in World of Warcraft among many others.

(c)2015 Warner Theatre photographer Luke Haughwout

NC: Who would last the longest as a spy?

Dick: Dan. He’s shifty and clever. In fact, he probably IS a spy.

NC: Which cast member is most likely to use their character’s accent in their daily life?

Dick: Me. And I do. Every. Single. Day.

NC: What do you think the 38th step was?

Dick: Pretty sure it was the Mambo.

NC:  Finally, Many of Hitchcock’s works featured Carey Grant as the leading actor and you play the lead in The 39 Steps. Do you fear you’ll be typecast as the dashingly handsome, suave and sophisticated action hero?

Dick: (Sigh). We must all make sacrifices for our art. If I am to be pigeonholed, so be it.

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Now that you’ve met the cast see them PERFORM LIVE at the Warner’s Nancy Marine studio in Torrington! The final shows are

• Friday, January 23 @ 8 PM
• Saturday, January 24 @ 8 PM
• Sunday, January 25 @ 2 PM