Sean Mahon, seen last season in Conor McPherson’s The Seafarer, will join the cast of The 39 Steps as leading man Richard Hannay, kicking off performances at the play's new home, the Helen Hayes Theatre, beginning January 21. The 39 Steps ends its current run at the Cort Theatre on January 4, 2009, in anticipation of the Hayes transfer. Mahon replaces current leading man Sam Robards, who departs on January 4.
Based on the classic Alfred Hitchcock film and novel by John Buchan, The 39 Steps is the story of Richard Hannay, who is lured into a world of intrigue by a mysterious woman claiming to be a spy. When she winds up dead in his flat, he flees London with the police hot on his trail. Patrick Barlow's script features a cast of four actors who, against all odds, breathlessly and hilariously reenact all of the characters, locations and famous scenes in Hitchcock’s thriller with just a few props and a lot of theatrical ingenuity and split second quick changes. Mahon will join current cast members Arnie Burton Man #2, Francesca Faridany Annabella Schmidt/Pamela/Margaret and Jeffrey Kuhn Man #1.Mahon made his Broadway debut in The Seafarer. His U.S. and Irish theater credits include Savage in Limbo, Translations, Ourselves Alone, The Visit, Stones in his Pockets, Yankee Trader, Confessions of a Catholic Child, One for the Road, Drama at Inis and Big Maggie. Television credits include: Fringe, As the World Turns, Angel, The Agency, ER, and Line of Fire. Film credits include Hulk and Mr. and Mrs. Smith.
The 39 Steps originally opened as a limited engagement at the American Airlines Theatre on January 15, 2008, going on to win two Tony Awards for Sound Design and Lighting Design and the Drama Desk Award for Unique Theatrical Experience.The show transferred to the Cort on April 29.