A.C.T. Rings In The New Year With Edward Albee's SEASCAPE

American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) rings in 2019 with Edward Albee's Pulitzer Prize-winning play, Seascape. In her A.C.T. directorial debut, Artistic Director and Tony Award winner Pam MacKinnon-hailed as "the most prolific of directors of Edward Albee's plays" (The Daily Beast)-continues her career-long exploration of American theater's legendary playwright. MacKinnon won the 2013 Tony Award for the Broadway revival of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, starring Tracy Letts and Amy Morton.

In this wildly imaginative and satirical comedy, a newly retired couple picnic and squabble on a beach about their life together when they are interrupted by two human-sized, English-speaking lizards. Are they an evolutionary miracle, or a threat? And which couple is the greater risk to the other? As the two pairs begin to communicate, they come uneasily together, discovering how transitions in life can spark terror and restlessness in any creature of habit. Albee returns to The Geary for the first time in a decade with a sparkling fantasy of love, laughter, and evolution. Edward Albee's Seascape performs at A.C.T.'s Geary Theater (415 Geary St., San Francisco) January 23-February 17, 2019. Press night for Edward Albee's Seascape will be held on Wednesday, January 30, 2019. Single tickets (ranging from $15-$110) are available at the A.C.T. Box Office at 415-749-2228 or online at www.act-sf.org. Ticket prices are subject to change without notice.

"Seascape marks the 11th Edward Albee production I will have directed," says MacKinnon. "Edward gave my artistic life a spine. As a freelance director, he was home-a dear friend, a colleague and mentor, a creator of worlds to play in. I miss him and plan to make him proud with this production."

Adds Jakob Holder, Executive Director of The Edward F. Albee Foundation: "Edward Albee fostered a close collaborative relationship with Pam MacKinnon for more than a decade-from The Play About the Baby in Philadelphia in 2002, to the world premiere of Occupant in New York in 2008, to the most recent revival of A Delicate Balance on Broadway-strengthened by an ever-growing trust in her director's eye and ear. Edward stuck with Pam for her invaluable qualities, chief among them her assiduous attention to detail and her abiding respect for the playwright's intentions."

Under the direction of MacKinnon, Edward Albee's Seascape features Bay Area theater veteran James Carpenter (Heisenberg and A Christmas Carol at A.C.T.; The Resting Place at Magic Theatre) as 'Charlie,' Ellen McLaughlin (originated the role of the Angel in Tony Kushner's Angels in America, appearing in all workshops and productions of the play through its original Broadway run; Ghosts at Berkeley Repertory Theatre) as 'Nancy,' Seann Gallagher (Straight White Men at Marin Theatre Company; The Real Thing at Aurora Theatre Company) as 'Leslie,' and Sarah Nina Hayon (Sweat at A.C.T.; Life Is a Dream at California Shakespeare Theater) as 'Sarah.'

The creative team for Edward Albee's Seascape includes Obie Award and two-time Tony Award winner David Zinn (Scenic and Costume Designer), Isabella Byrd (Lighting Designer), and Brendan Aanes (Sound Designer).

In connection with Edward Albee's Seascape, A.C.T. will offer numerous InterACT events-many of which are presented free of charge-that will give patrons opportunities to get closer to the action while having an entire night out at the theater. Visit act-sf.org/interact to learn more about subscribing to these events throughout the season: • Bike to the Theater Night:
Wednesday, January 23, 7 p.m.

Providing a greener alternative to theater transportation, A.C.T. and the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition offer free valet bike parking, as well as a special discount on tickets, for these select performances.

• Prologue:
Tuesday, January 29, 5:30 p.m.
Before the curtain goes up, get a sneak peek at the artistic process at this fascinating preshow discussion with the director and artistic staff.

• Theater on the Couch:
Friday, February 1, following the 8 p.m. performance
This exciting postshow discussion series addresses audience questions and explores the minds, motives, and behavior of the characters.
• Audience Exchanges:
Tuesday, February 5, 7 p.m. | Sunday, February 10, 2 p.m. | Wednesday, February 13, 2 p.m.
After the show, stick around for a lively Q&A session with the actors and artists who create the work onstage.

• OUT with A.C.T.:
Wednesday, February 6, following the 8 p.m. performance
The best LGBT night in town! Mingle with the cast and enjoy free drinks and treats at this popular after-party.

• Wente Vineyards Wine Series:
Tuesday, February 12, 7 p.m.
Before the show, raise a glass at this wine-tasting event featuring the Bay Area's hottest local winery.

• PlayTime:
Saturday, February 16, 12:45 p.m.
Before this matinee performance, get hands-on with the artists who make it happen at this interactive theater workshop. A.C.T.'s production of Edward Albee's Seascape is made possible by Executive Producers Kirke and Nancy Sawyer Hasson; Producers Concepción and Irwin Federman; Linda Jo Fitz; Merrill Randol; Abby and Gene Schnair; Cherie Sorokin; and Associate Producers Paul Angelo and Cindy Low; Arnie and Shelly Glassberg; Ken Lamb; Sara Eisner Richter and Michael Richter; Mrs. Katherine G. Wallin and Mr. Homer Wallin; and Bev and Loring Wyllie.

A.C.T. would like to acknowledge its 2018-19 Season Presenters: Jerome L. and Thao N. Dodson; Priscilla and Keith Geeslin; Fred M. Levin and Nancy Livingston, The Shenson Foundation; Toni Rembe and Arthur Rock; Robina Riccitiello; Mary and Steven Swig; Jeff and Laurie Ubben; and Kay Yun and Andre Neumann-Loreck.

A.C.T. would also like to acknowledge its 2018-­19 Company Sponsors: Lesley Ann Clement and Karl Lukaszewicz; Ray and Dagmar Dolby Family Fund; Frannie Fleishhacker; Kevin and Celeste Ford; Mr. and Mrs. Gordon P. Getty; Kirke and Nancy Sawyer Hasson; James C. Hormel and Michael P. Nguyen-Hormel; Jeri Lynn and Jeffrey W. Johnson; Mr. and Mrs. Robert McGrath; Burt and Deedee McMurtry; David and Carla Riemer; Patti and Rusty Rueff; Aaron Vermut and Adriana López Vermut; Jack and Susy Wadsworth; and Barry Williams and Lalita Tademy.

Additional support provided by The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation; PG&E; The Shubert Foundation; The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust; San Francisco Grants for the Arts; Wells Fargo; and Hilton Union Square and Parc 55 San Francisco, A.C.T.'s Official Hotel Partner.

Up next, A.C.T. will present Mfoniso Udofia's achingly poignant drama Her Portmanteau (February 15-March 31, 2019). In spring 2019, A.C.T. will present Lauren Yee's exploration of cultural identity, global politics, and basketball, The Great Leap (March 6-31, 2019), featuring Tony Award winner BD Wong, followed by Kate Hamill's rollicking new stage adaptation of William Thackeray's classic novel, Vanity Fair (April 17-May 12, 2019). Closing out the 2018-19 season, A.C.T. will present Eugène Ionesco's "seminal absurdist satire" (Los Angeles Times) Rhinoceros (May 29-June 23, 2019), translated by Derek Prouse and directed by two-time Tony Award winner Frank Galati.

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