Two plus weeks into rehearsals for the fabulous choice for this summer's Rose studio lineup, The 39 Steps. I honestly can't remember the last time I was involved in a project that was so intrinsically and delightfully creative in nature. So much of the way the piece is presented is left open to the ingenuity of not only the creative team and cast, but also the stage management crew, set builders, and props masters. Certainly the show presented at the Rose will be unlike any other production of The 39 Steps anywhere else. Each production, though sharing certain universal concepts, will have several completely unique moments and sequences, limited only by the imaginations of each unique collection of creative minds.

Scott performing with Jaden Carmichael in Scrooge! (2009)

Director Rob Woodcock had clearly put in countless hours of pre-work and research before the first day of rehearsals, as he had ready for us on day one not only a clear and firm vision of how we were going to stage the show effectively in the somewhat restrictive studio space, but many of the set pieces and props already built and available for we actors to use! Before the first week was finished we also had many of our costume pieces already on-site down at the rehearsal hall on Orenda Rd.

One of the challenges (and greatest delights) for me personally working on The 39 Steps, is the opportunity to play multiple characters. The show is based on the classic Hitchcock movie of course, and one of the stageplay's devices (and hopefully great sources of entertainment) is the fact that Mark is playing the main character of the film and the 3 remaining actors (Erin, Sweeney, and myself) play all the rest of the characters in the film!!!

It is a true test of my skills and repertoire as I am responsible for creating 14 clearly defined and unique characters. Many changes are in rapid-fire style (sometimes for comic effect) requiring a quick and seamless transition into a different costume, age, physicality, and accent in moments!

Thank goodness Sweeney (who is also a professional and well-reknowned accent coach) is around to help....

Look for another update from me soon....it's time for me to get back to committing my lines to memory :)

Scott C