Hitchcock spoof heads to Broadway

Hit play '39 Steps' will open at Roundabout

By GORDON COX

London hit "The 39 Steps" has found a Broadway home -- and it's at the Roundabout.

"Steps," a four-thesp spoof of the Hitchcock thriller, had already announced its intention to find a Rialto berth following a run at Boston's Huntington Theater that begins later this month.

"Steps" is the second team-up this season for the Roundabout and commercial producer Bob Boyett, who also is attached to the U.K. revival of "Sunday in the Park with George" that opens this winter at the Roundabout's Studio 54.

U.K. incarnation of "39 Steps" is still playing at London's Criterion Theater, where it transferred from the Tricycle Theater about a year ago.

Adapted by Patrick Barlow and helmed by Maria Aitken, "Steps" begins previews at the American Airlines Dec. 28 for a Jan. 10 opening. Third show of the season at the American Airlines has yet to be confirmed, although it might be a revival of "Les Liaisons Dangereuses" from helmer Rufus Norris, a production touted on the org's website.

Roundabout also has set its final offering of the season for its Off Broadway stage: Walter Bobbie ("Chicago") will direct Christopher Durang's "The Marriage of Bette and Boo," beginning perfs June 13 at the Laura Pels Theater.

And the theater also has named Doug Hughes ("Doubt") as a resident director. He joins a team of associate artists that includes Scott Ellis, Mark Brokaw, Scott Elliott, Bill Irwin, Joe Mantello and Kathleen Marshall.

Also up for the Roundabout this season is the second year of the org's national tour of "Twelve Angry Men." Topliner Richard Thomas, who has played Juror #8 since the tour went out last year, returns with seven other cast members. New to the ensemble are four thesps including Kevin Dobson, the TV actor best known for his role on "Kojak," as well as Thomas Gebbia, Tony Ward and Mike DiSalvo.