There was never a dull moment when watching the dress rehearsal of “The 39 Steps,” despite some minor flaws they were working out, it is clear that the final product will be a success.
The play premieres Thursday, Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. in the Los Medanos College Little Theater. It has a runtime of around two hours, although while watching, time seems to fly by as smooth pacing of the play keeps audiences at the edge of their seats.
It is shocking that the actors are students, they all do a great job in keeping the story alive, there were only a few brief instances that may have disengaged me from the story due to the acting. Audiences are sure to notice the heart that every single person involved put into “The 39 steps.”
While all the actors exceeded my expectations, two blew it out the water. Raven Figeuroa, who plays Richard Hannay, as the lead actor he brings life to every scene he is in. Not once did I think that Figeuroa was a student playing a character, it was as if I was pulled through the wacky life of Richard Hannay.
The other actor who did a phenomenal job in all the roles he played was Aqeel Andreas. Out of all the actors Andreas wore the most hats, with a whopping five roles in “The 39 Steps,” viewers will rarely notice, as he does a great job in portraying every character with a unique flair.
Ultimately, there were a few things that pulled me from the narrative. Some of the sound choices didn’t fit the scenes they were paired with, and a few times the track stopped abruptly. This viewing was only a dress rehearsal and there is no doubt that most of these issues will clear up when they make their debut. There was also a point where the lighting got messed up, but they quickly got that squared away and there’s no indication that it will happen during the finalized play.
Overall, it’s clear that everyone who had a hand in bringing this play to life, put a great deal of effort into this and I would highly recommend giving “The 39 Steps” a watch if you’re in the mood for a fun comedy or just want to watch solid acting live.
Upcoming performances include: Dec. 5, 6, 11, 12 at 7 p.m. with a 10 a.m. matinee Dec. 10. Tickets range from $10 for middle and high school students, $12 with proof of student or service status and $15 for general admission.
