Westport Country Playhouse’s Mark Shanahan, artistic director, invites the public to “get your ‘Hitch’ on.” In advance of the theatre’s October production of “The 39 Steps,” based on Alfred Hitchcock’s 1935 film, the Playhouse will present a screening of Alfred Hitchcock’s 1954 movie, “Rear Window,” followed by a discussion on the filmmaker with Shanahan, at 7 p.m. 

A dedicated Hitchcock scholar and fan, Shanahan taught a course at Fordham University titled, “The Films of Alfred Hitchcock,” for over 21 years. The evening will include Shanahan’s brief introductory remarks, highlighting key details to watch for in the film, followed by a post-screening discussion exploring why “Rear Window” remains a masterpiece 70 years after its initial release.

“I’m always eager to share my love for the movies of this most celebrated director,” said Shanahan. “Whether you’re a first-time viewer or long-time Hitchcock aficionado, this night promises to dive into just some of the wonderful anecdotes, storytelling techniques, and signature cinematic details that make Alfred Hitchcock the Master of Suspense!”

Shanahan added, “Ever since my father took me to see a double feature of ‘The 39 Steps’ and ‘The Lady Vanishes’ when I was a boy, I have loved the films of Alfred Hitchcock. ‘Rear Window’ is a perfect film to watch and discuss as it was always meant to be experienced - seated in a theatre gathered with an audience on the collective edge of their seats! I look forward to guiding our Playhouse audience on what I like to call a ‘treasure hunt,’ as we take a deeper look into one the great director’s true masterpieces.”

“Rear Window,” starring James Stewart, Grace Kelly, Thelma Ritter, Wendell Corey, and Raymond Burr, is about a New York magazine photographer who is confined to his apartment after breaking his leg. He passes the time by spying on his neighbors from his window, and suspicious goings-on in one of the apartments lead him to believe that someone has been murdered. Rated PG.

Date and Time: Wednesday, October 2, at 7 p.m. 

Tickets are $25. Running time is 112 minutes for the film and 30 minutes for the post-film discussion.

For full details, visit: https://www.westportplayhouse.org/show/rear-window/

A complete schedule of Playhouse events is available at www.westportplayhouse.org. All play titles, artists, dates, and times are subject to change.

For Westport Country Playhouse information and tickets, visit www.westportplayhouse.org or call the box office at (203) 227-4177, toll-free at 1-888-927-7529.