The Central Connecticut State University Theatre Department’s production of “The 39 Steps” was hilarious and compelling.

Performed at Maloney Hall’s Blackbox Theatre and playing March 5-9 at 7 p.m., the show follows the misadventure of Richard Hannay as he gets wrapped up in the plans of a spy ring scheming to smuggle top-secret information out of England and tries to foil their efforts.

The play was adapted from the 1915 novel by John Buchan and the 1935 Alfred Hitchcock movie of the same name. While both of the original source materials were told seriously, the play puts a comedic spin on the spy thriller plot by having the story’s many roles played by only four actors.

At a show, Hannay meets the mysterious Annabelle Smith, who tells him about the spy ring’s plans and the 39 Steps. After Smith is killed by some of the spies, Hannay flees to Scotland to follow a lead and meet a contact Smith told him about. Hannay narrowly avoids police hunting him for Smith’s murder at every turn and meets Smith’s contact.

This contact, Professor Jordon, turns out to be the leader of the spies and gets Hannay captured by the police. Fleeing with a woman named Pamela, Hannay ends up at the show of Mr. Memory, the key to the spy ring’s plans. Hannay gets Mr. Memory to reveal the spies’ secrets and defeats Jordon, thus saving the stolen information from causing a war and clearing his name.

It is a very interesting show, especially with how the dramatic plot interacts with the comedy of having four actors. At various points throughout the show, a big, important plot point will occur in a hilarious fashion. Thanks to the cast’s efforts, the audience roared with laughter the entire show.

Mike Zimmerman plays Hannay and acts as a sort of straight man, as he is the only member of the cast to play one character throughout the entire show. Zimmerman’s performance is stellar and keeps the play grounded in the serious nature of the story while also being the source of a few moments of comedy himself. As he is the only permanent thing in the show, Zimmerman has a lot resting on his shoulders and delivers it all in a great and compelling performance.

Brooke Hendon plays a few of the key female characters. The most notable one is Pamela in most of the second act. Hendon is spectacular as Pamela, in part because Pamela and Hannay end up handcuffed and have to escape together. Such a performance would not be easy, but Hendon gives it her all and is a joy to see throughout the entire play.

Rocky Ross and Cedric Westcott as Clown 1 and Clown 2, respectively, are a fantastic pair to see onstage. They each played nearly a dozen minor characters over the course of the two-hour show and gave it their all the entire time. The pair are a great comedy duo and the shining example of the hilarity that this play aims to achieve.

Ross and Westcott are especially impressive in how quickly they are able to change roles throughout the show. Various costume changes were implemented to have them transition between characters both on and offstage. Rapid costume changes are a big demand in theater shows, but they pull it off convincingly.

The actors’ dedication is also outstanding. Memorizing a part in a play is challenging enough, but taking on multiple roles is incredible. Hendon, Ross, and Westcott were able to show off their abilities as actors while delivering a great show to the audience.

Assistant director Matt Durland gave a performance of his own by acting as a narrator a few times in the show and provided musical accompaniment and some sound effects. Durland’s part may be small, but it was vital to making the show fun.

Blackbox Theatre’s next performance will be “Clue: The Musical” from May 1-5.