Photo: Courtesy of the Laguna Playhouse; design and illustration by Carlos Zamora
Art & Culture · The Laguna Playhouse
The 39 Steps: Thursday & Saturday Matinees
Hitchcock's spy thriller, played for laughs. Four actors cover dozens of characters in Patrick Barlow's quick-change comedy at the Laguna Playhouse. Matinees Thursdays and Saturdays at 2 p.m., through November 21.
Every Thu & Sat · Next Nov 12, 2026 · 2:00pm Ticketed
Hosted by The Laguna Playhouse
About
Richard Hannay wanted a quiet night out. Then a stranger is killed in his London flat, and he's on the run to Scotland with a spy ring close behind. Patrick Barlow's stage version of the 1935 Alfred Hitchcock film keeps the chase and plays it for laughs, with four actors covering every role through quick changes and clever staging.
Hunter Foster directs. Jon Root plays Hannay, Ashley Margaret Morton plays the Woman, and Jennifer Cody and Jeremy Webb play the Clowns, who handle nearly everyone else.
The Laguna Playhouse has been staging shows in town since 1920. It sits at the foot of Laguna Canyon Road, a short walk from Main Beach, so an afternoon show leaves time for the water or a walk through the downtown galleries after. The Saturday, Nov. 21 matinee offers childcare. The run closes November 22.
What to know
- Matinees Thursdays and Saturdays at 2 p.m., Nov. 7 to 21. Sunday matinees are at 1 p.m., and evening shows Tuesday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
- Playhouse content notes: adult language, sexual situations and themes, and violence.
- The Saturday, Nov. 21 matinee is a Childcare Matinee. Book childcare through the Playhouse.
Schedule
- Every Thu & Sat · 2:00pm
- Last date Saturday, November 21
Getting there
The Laguna Playhouse
606 Laguna Canyon Road, at the edge of downtown. Parking fills up on show days, so check the Playhouse's parking options and give yourself extra time.
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FAQs
Thursdays and Saturdays at 2 p.m. (Nov. 7, 12, 14, 19 and 21) and Sundays at 1 p.m. (Nov. 8, 15 and 22). The run closes November 22, 2026.
The Playhouse flags adult language, sexual situations and themes, and violence, played for comedy. Check its content notes before bringing younger children. The Nov. 21 matinee offers childcare.
Buy them through the Laguna Playhouse box office online, where you can pick any performance date and time.
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