39 represented many firsts for Yokohama Theatre. It was the first wholly original mainstage show in the company's 110 year history; it was the first show to tour overseas; it was the first show to have more than 20 performances; and it was the first show to emphasize a process-driven approach to making Theatre.

Using the principle of time dilation, 39 told the story of an astronaut who returned to an earth that had become totally alien to him.