The Waterfront Playhouse in Key West kicks off its 73rd season with Broadway’s longest-running comedy, “Alfred Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps,” which opens Dec. 20.

The winner of Tony, Drama Desk and Olivier Awards, “The 39 Steps” is part juicy spy novel, part Monty Python and all theatrical dazzle. A New York Time review of the play called it “absurdly enjoyable. This gleefully theatrical riff on Hitchcock’s film is fast and furious.”

Hitchcock’s 1935 film was adapted from John Buchan’s 1915 novel “The 39 Steps.” It’s the story of Richard Hannay, a man bored with his life and anxious for adventure. When a beautiful and mysterious woman winds up murdered in his flat, he suddenly becomes a man on the run, trying to clear his name.

More importantly, he desperately tries to prevent top-secret information from falling into enemy hands, which could bring down the British Empire.

“The play doesn’t mock the movie, but rather takes the film dialogue as a jumping-off place for comic mayhem,” said Danny Weathers, artistic director at the Waterfront.

“Shameless stereotypes, over-the-top accents and physical gags help spoof the Hitchcock style and genre, all played with a speed that will leave audiences breathless.”

The stage version calls for the Hitchcock film to be performed in its entirety, “but with the amazing feat of using only four actors to portray a cast of 100s in under two hours, including intermission,” Weathers said.

As part of the fun adapting an iconic Hitchcock film, the play deploys allusions, winks and puns on titles of other Hitchcock works, including “Rear Window,” “Psycho,” “Strangers on a Train,” and “North by Northwest.”

Those attending can enjoy the mind game of seeing how many of those you can catch in this rapid-fire production.

Weathers said “The 39 Steps” is “arguably the most challenging show we’ve done in my nine years with the Waterfront, and that covers a lot of territory. However, I’m thrilled that we have an incredible group of actors, designers and technicians that are committed to wowing our audiences with this wonderful piece of theater.”

Brandon Beach will play the hero, Richard Hannay. Erin McKenna plays three women with whom Hannay has romantic entanglements. David Black and J.B. McLendon play the two “clowns” who portray more than 100 characters (vaudevillians, salesmen, villains, women, etc.).

Michael Boyer created the constantly evolving set and set pieces that move with lightning speed. Kim Hanson is doing the light design. Costumes are by Leigh Hooten.

And Weathers, along with Dan Simpson, will create the film-like sound design. Trish Manley, as stage manager, will orchestrate the 100s of technical cues that drive the actors, scenery, sound and lighting effects.

Tickets range from $20 to $50, with the low-priced seats on preview nights Dec. 18 and 19. Opening-night tickets include a catered post-performance party. The production run ends Jan. 12. For tickets, call 294-5015 or visit www.waterfrontplayhouse.org.