FORT SILL, Okla. (Nov. 19, 2015) -- Dinner and show? Yes please.

Those words are music to my ears. Mostly the dinner part but I'm a cultured girl, I like going to the theater, too. This weekend Lawton's Blue Moon Productions is putting on Alfred Hitchcock's "39 Steps."

I, like perhaps many of you, had never heard of "39 Steps" and to tell you the truth, I wasn't chomping at the bit to see it (Eeh, if I see it, great. If not, well, no biggie). A co-worker of mine, Keith Pannell, is in the production and I'm not sure if that played any part in my neutral feelings about the show, but I like to think if anything, that swayed me toward seeing the performance.

What pushed me over the edge was when he told me the entire production features four (speaking) actors who play a combined 28 characters.

Impressive.

I suppose I could sit in on a rehearsal, you know, just to see if it's any good.

I arrived at Centenary United Methodist Church at 8 p.m. on the dot (a little late for my taste but I am still a new mom who considers 9 p.m. late and 10 p.m. bedtime). I was a little intrigued the show would be taking place in a church. Is that not weird? I guess not. Blue Moon Productions doesn't have a stage of their own. Instead they have used a number of venues to showcase their work; they've even used Fort Sill in the past. For "39 Steps" a stage was needed and the congregation was happy to help.

It's actually a great space. They've created a stage, there is pretty decent lighting, and the sound and lighting crews have greats seat in the balcony to oversee everything. In addition, there is a kitchen nearby.

Tickets for the show are $15, but for an additional $12 your ticket also includes dinner. Mmm ...

The lights dimmed and the show began. I was told the basic outline of it which is about a man who tried to help a spy but she is killed in his apartment and he is accused as the murderer. He goes on the run to try and bring down an organization of spies, called The 39 Steps. Very serious plot, however there is the business of four characters playing all the roles. Through costume and voice changes the actors take on different roles, often all at once, turning a serious Hitchcock film into and sometimes hilarious play.

My favorite scene involves a train station and two of the actors swapping hats indicating a change in character, however the changes are so rapid they simply stand there and swap hats as they recite their lines. Doesn't sound funny as I'm telling it to you but believe me, you'll laugh. A lot. Oh dear, and then there's the time an old farmer (played by Bill Keeran) prays over dinner with his daughter and the lead character. The facial contortions made while shouting this passionate prayer are fabulous.

It's pretty fun and an attempt to be different from what Lawton normally sees in terms of theater productions. According to Pannell, that is the intent of Blue Moon Productions anyway, to be more "avant-garde" and bring to Lawton something more different, something you only see "once in a blue moon" (get it? Blue Moon? Get it? OK. ).

This is the only show Blue Moon Productions perform this year, but there are plans for more in the future. As for "39 Steps," both nights begin with dinner at 7 p.m. (make your dinner reservation at least 24-hours in advance) and the show starting at 8 p.m. There isn't a bad seat in the house. The closer you get, the more facial expressions you can see which really brings the show to life. So find a babysitter and check out something a little different this weekend OR -- take the kids with you! Even though the name Hitchcock might scare parents away, the show itself is pretty family friendly. You'll laugh, they'll laugh and if you get them dinner first, they may be asleep in the car before you get home.

Win-win for everyone. For more information call 580-695-8793 or visit bluemoonlawton.org.