ACT MFA Program Presents 'Orlando' Feb.28 - March 15

American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) has announced casting and the design team for its upcoming production of Virginia Woolf's Orlando, adapted by Sarah Ruhl. The play, directed by A.C.T. alumnus and incoming managing director of the Marin Theatre Company Ryan Rilette, will be performed by members of the A.C.T. Master of Fine Arts Program class of 2008 and will play at Zeum Theater February 28 through March 15. All tickets for Orlando are now on sale through A.C.T. Ticket Services, at 405 Geary Street, 415-749-2228, or via the A.C.T. website at www.act-sf.org.

"Based on Virginia Woolf's masterpiece, Sarah Ruhl's Orlando poses serious questions about love, gender, and living history. Orlando tells the story of a cheeky, lecherous young man, born in Elizabethan England, brimming with curiosity. His trim legs catch the eyes of the aging queen, but Orlando favors the love of a beautiful Russian princess, Sasha. When Sasha is unfaithful, Orlando plunges headlong through centuries of time, relishing the attentions of adoring girls until his fate is altered when he emerges one morning as a Victorian maiden," describe press notes.

The remarkable cast of Orlando is drawn exclusively from the ranks of the graduating class of A.C.T.'s Master of Fine Arts Program. Appearing in the title role, Caitlin Talbot has acted in Fêtes de la Nuit (directed by Les Waters) and understudied roles in Honour (directed by Tony Taccone), Secret in the Wings (directed by Mary Zimmerman), and For Better or Worse at Berkeley Repertory Theatre.

Appearing as Clorinda and in the ensemble, Jeff Irwin was most recently seen in the A.C.T. production of A Christmas Carol and the M.F.A. Program production of The Importance of Being Earnest (as Lane and Merriman).

In addition to his work in A.C.T.'s M.F.A. Program, Dan Morrison, who appears as Favilla, Othello, and as a member of the ensemble, has also participated in the British American Drama Academy training program and was accepted into Prima del Teatro, a theater summer arts program in Italy. Favorite roles include Charlie in The Foreigner (Summer Repertory Theater) and Louis in Angels in America (Don Powell Theater).

Appearing as Shakespeare and as a member of the ensemble, James Wagner recently starred in A.C.T.'s A Christmas Carol (as Burt, Thomas, and Ignorance) and in the A.C.T. M.F.A. Program production of Candida (Rev. James Morrell). He has created and performed in two solo shows: Toll Roads and Where's the Sense in That?

Director Ryan Rilette is the new managing director of the Marin Theatre Company. For the last six years, he has been the producing artistic director at the Southern Repertory Theater in New Orleans.

One of America's most significant young playwrights, Sarah Ruhl has written The Clean House (2004 Susan Smith Blackburn Award, Pulitzer Prize finalist, Pen Award), Melancholy Play, Eurydice, Late: A Cowboy Song, Demeter in the City (NAACP Image Award nomination), and Passion Play, A Cycle (Fourth Forum Freedom Award, Kennedy Center).

The design team for this production blends A.C.T. veterans and Bay Area favorites, including scenic designer Rick Ortenblad and sound designer Matt Cowell (A.C.T.'s Red Scare on Sunset and Baby with the Bathwater). Finally, accomplished costume designer Callie Floor (Hysteria for the Aurora Theatre and Bill Pullman's Expedition 6 for the Magic Theatre) is the costume rentals supervisor for A.C.T., while lighting designer Jeff Rowlings is A.C.T.'s long-time production manager.

The A.C.T. Master of Fine Arts program presents Virginia Woolf's Orlando, adapted by Sarah Ruhl and directed by Ryan Rilette. Performing at Zeum Theater Yerba Buena Gardens (Fourth and Howard streets) San Francisco.

Previews are February 28 & 29; opening March 1 with performances through March 15. Performance Times are Thursday-Saturday at 8PM; Wednesday March 5 at 8PM; Saturday March 8 & 15 at 2PM; and Sunday March 2 & 9 at 2PM.

Tickets ($15.50-$20.50) Tickets are available through A.C.T. Ticket Services, 405 Geary Street at Mason, 415.749.2228, and online at www.act-sf.org. Tickets are also available at Zeum Theater one hour before curtain.

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