‘The 39 Steps’ play coming to the Marion Art Center this March

MARION — The Marion Art Center’s new production of “The 39 Steps” will open on March 6 at 7:30 p.m. 

The show was written by Patrick Barlow and John Buchan and is directed by John Heavey.

The show will run for 9 performances on March 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21 and 22 in the Marion Art Center’s Anne Braitmayer Webb Theater. 

The curtain on Friday and Saturday shows is 7:30 p.m. and the Sunday matinees start at 2 p.m.

“The 39 Steps” is a fast-paced, slapstick comedy thriller where an ordinary man, Richard Hannay, is framed for murder and must go on the run to stop a spy ring from stealing vital British military secrets. 

The humor derives from the entire story being performed by a small cast who play over 150 characters, often making rapid costume and character changes. 

The show stars Samantha Asker, Marisa Biever, Cynthia Johnson, Jacob Matthew, Rick Sherburne, Donn Tyler, Maura Barry Van Voris, Jennie Williamson and Kerri Zhou. 

The show is stage-managed by Marisa Biever and the Technical Director is Steve McManus. 

Tickets are $23 for Marion Art Center members and $28 for nonmembers. Tickets can be purchased at marionartcenter.org/events. 

This is the first show in the Marion Art Center’s 2026 season, so this is the only chance for theater patrons to acquire season tickets. 

Season Ticket holders save 10 to 15 percent and receive free tickets to the Marion Art Center Theater Playwrights Incubator production. Learn more at marionartcenter.org/season-tickets.