Alfred Hitchcock’s 1935 thriller The 39 Steps, based on John Buchan’s 1915 novel, brought the director international recognition and launched his Hollywood career with its themes of love, death, and crime intertwining in a frenzied plot that moves at the speed of a bullet train. Heritage Theatre’s production of the hilariously suspenseful whodunit will leave audiences gripping their seats as four actors play more than 150 characters to tell the story of Richard Hannay’s vacation to London, hijacked when he meets an ill-fated spy and is falsely accused of murder.
Through 8/4. $15-40. Ruth Caplin Theatre, 109 Culbreth Rd. virginiatheatrefestival.org.