Footlighters Begins Its 68th Season

Redlands Footlighters kicks off its 2013-2014 season on September 12 with The 39 Steps, a fast-paced comedy adapted by Patrick Barlow from the novel by John Buchan and the movie by Alfred Hitchcock.

Mia Mercado-Bennett listens to the director, Kellie McDonald, during rehearsals for “The 39 Steps”, opening at Redlands Footlighters September 12.

“It’s the entire Hitchcock movie performed with a cast of only four,” explains director Kellie McDonald. “It is a serious spy thriller, but played entirely for laughs.”

Jeffrey Wymer of Riverside is the hero, Richard Hannay, Alexis Rafter of Redlands plays the three women with whom he has romantic entanglements, and Mia Mercado-Bennett (Redlands) and Jamie Foreman (Riverside) play every other character in the show and, sometimes, act as set pieces.

This is the first time this show has been presented in the Inland Empire. The show runs September 12-29 with performances are at 8:00 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2:00 p.m. on Sundays.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to present this premiere,” says Footlighters president Vicki Janis. “It is a fast-paced, very funny show that I’m sure our audiences will love.”

As part of the City of Redlands 125th celebration, Footlighters will be dedicating the newly completed patio on the opening night of its’ 68th season. The “Heritage Patio” honors the dedication of long time volunteers, most notably Joe Camp and Carol Steele, who have helped the Footlighters theatre over the years. Appropriately, the Heritage Patio overlooks Redlands’ newly planted Heritage Park.

Invited guests from the City of Redlands, Chamber of Commerce, San Bernardino County and others will be participating in a very brief ceremony at 7:30pm, just before the opening of The 39 Steps on Thursday, September 12th.

The Zonta Club of Redlands will be selling season tickets at each performance of The 39 Steps. A portion of all season ticket revenue goes to help Zonta promote the welfare of women in Redlands.

After The 39 Steps, the season will continue with The Uninvited in November, Play On! in January, Is He Dead? in March, and conclude with Pump Boys and Dinettes in May.

For tickets, call 909-793-2909.