Meet the Cast of "The 39 Steps" - Bob Myers

Meet Bob Myers

In The 39 Steps, Bob plays our reluctant hero, Richard Hannay. Unlike all the other actors, Bob gets to stay as the same character from start to finish. However, he has just as tough a job as the other three: he practically never stops running. From the opening scene to the end of the show, Bob is constantly on the move, rarely leaving the stage except to reappear somewhere else. He climbs over bridges, races across train tops, and spends almost half the show in handcuffs. It's hard to be the hero.

Meet the man behind the mustache:

How did you first get involved in theater?
I played the music (piano and keyboard) for a musical in college, but didn't try my hand at acting at the time.  After seeing TLT shows for many years, I decided to start auditioning in the 2007-2008 season, and have been hooked ever since.

What do you love most about acting?
I really enjoy the creative aspect of it -- while we're telling a story that's in a script, it still involves creating the characters and their personalities and adjusting them based on what is working. It's challenging but also rewarding.  I enjoy trying my hand at being various different people.

What drew you to The 39 Steps?
It's a very physical and fun comedy, and I really liked the notion of the many characters being played by a small handful of actors.

What has been the most challenging aspect of this show for you?
This show involves a lot of detailed technical work, including keeping track of props, sound cues, and set changes.  Consequently, it means not only keeping track of a very detailed sequence of events and actions, but it also means going non-stop from the opening of the show to the end.  I think we may all be dropping a few belt sizes by the time this one is over!

What would you say to encourage someone to try acting?
Go for it!  The audition process itself can be quite fun, as well as a learning experience, even if you don't get cast the first time out.  Be patient, learn from prior experiences, and remember that your interpretation of a character is unique and may be just what this director is looking for.

When Bob isn't acting, he's a professor of Computer Science at FSU, a swing dance instructor, and sometimes a superhero.

Tickets for The 39 Steps are going fast, especially for this weekend. We're close to sell out houses already, so buy your tickets now! Call the box office at 850-224-8474 or go to tallahasseelittletheatre.org/39Steps.

Bob Myers as Richard Hannay, in a rare moment of relaxation.