Scene from "The 39 Steps" at Whittier Community Theatre (Photo courtesy of the theatre) The historic Whittier Community Theater, now in its 102nd season, is staging a wonderful rendition of Patrick Barlow’s “The 39 Steps.” Barlow adapted his 2005 play from John Buchan’s 1915 novel and the 1935 Alfred Hitchcock film based on it — but uses only four actors to play dozens of roles in a fast-paced, comedic style. Susan Hunter Eiden directs the tight ensemble on a stage set simply

International City Theatre’s production is poignant and funny. This review was originally published in the Long Beach Post, a nonprofit news organization, on February 26, 2026. From left: Will Riddle and Erika Schindele in "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change" at International City Theatre. Photo by Jordan Gohara. The first play of International City Theatre’s new season — “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” by Joe DiPietro with music by Jimmy Roberts — is an unexpec