“The 39 Steps” second-week performance at NIC

The “39 Steps” entered their second week of performance with NIC’s new Theatre Director at the helm.

The play picked by new Theatre Director Erick Wolfe is about 37-year-old Richard Hannay who meets a mysterious woman at a West end show that results in a comedic turn of events of secret organizations, a German professor, and intentional stage mistakes.

“I chose a play I know was just gonna be an easy one,” said Theatre Director Erick Wolfe. “I picked a good lighthearted comedy that general audiences can go to.”

Wolfe said this allows him to engage with the audience at NIC and the Community to see what shows they like. 

Wolfe said he wanted to choose a play that can challenge the students.

The play had a comforting atmosphere for an audience of family, friends,  or members of the community.

“It’s a nice escape,” Wolfe said. “Away from all the politics, all the stress and just come in and sit down for two hours and laugh.”

The actors maintained their characters with a strong showing for the audience and lines on cue. 

Ethan Rodgers, who plays Richard Hannay, said he loved how the direction of the play went and how he connected with his character.

“I feel I can connect with him in some of the things he does,” Rodgers said.

Opposite Ethan Rodgers is Emily Isenberger who plays Annabella, Pamela, and Margaret in the play.

“I really enjoy playing the three female leads,” Isenberger said. “I get a lot of creative freedom in making sure they are very different characters and kinda looking more into their personalities and different ways I can bring that out on stage.” 

The play had some references to Alfred Hitchcock films. North by Northwest, The Birds, and Vertigo, among others.