"The 39 Steps" at the Fulton Theatre was Hilarious!

The Fulton Theatre, a historic revitalized Vaudeville theater in downtown Lancaster, is one of our favorite places to be entertained.  It's not only gorgeously renovated in turn-of-the-century gilded plasterwork and ornate decorations, but it is also very intimate by comparison to most modern day venues, so you feel close to the actors no matter where you sit.  The Fulton is one of only a handful of historic theater companies in the U.S. that still produces its own shows (rather than simply hosting a touring company from another city).  They attract the best performers from New York, Philadelphia, Boston, and other notable theatrical centers, and the results are top-notch shows at a fraction of Broadway prices.  Over the past few years we've seen awesome performances of "Grease", "Music Man", "Les Miserables", "Fiddler on the Roof", and "Spamalot", to name just a few. 

On February 9th, as part of a PA Dutch Visitors Bureau mixer at the Fulton, we were privileged to see a "final preview" performance (the night before opening night) of "The 39 Steps".  It is a wonderful comedy, based on Alfred Hitchcock's classic 1935 suspense movie.  The plot and the comedy were non-stop, sometimes almost Monty Python-ish in their silliness.  The entire cast is comprised of just four actors, who play many parts in some hilariously inventive ways.  Some of the funniest scenes are when the actors repeatedly change from one character to another and back again, right before your eyes, and in the middle of a conversation!  You'll just have to see the show to fully appreciate how truly amazing these performers are.  Suffice it to say, this was one of the funniest, best acted comedies we've ever seen performed.  The simple yet perfect set decorations, lighting, music, and scene timing all added up to a delightful evening of laughter.  Oh and by the way, Mr. Hitchcock even makes a cameo appearance, just as he did in his films. 

The show runs until February 27th, so we hope you'll have a chance to visit Lancaster and see it.  Of course, while you're in town, why not spend a night or two at the Apple Bin Inn... just 10 minutes from the Fulton Theatre!