A.C.T. Kicks Off the New Year with Tom Stoppard's INDIAN INK, Running Now thru 2/8

Continuing its exploration on the power of memory and storytelling, American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) will kick off the new year with an all-new production of Tom Stoppard's Indian Ink, (today, January 14 - February 8, 2015) a romantic saga spanning decades, continents, and cultures. Indian Ink follows Flora Crewe, a free-spirited English poet on her travels through India in the 1930s, where her intricate relationship with an Indian artist unfurls against the backdrop of a country seeking its independence. Fifty years later, the poet's younger sister, the Indian artist's son, and a determined American biographer each attempt to decipher the legacy of Flora's controversial career and mysterious past.

Directed by A.C.T. Artistic Director Carey Perloff to great acclaim earlier this season at New York's Roundabout Theatre Company, this surprising story of two people whose connection lives on through art movingly explores how the creative spirit can bring us together in the most unexpected ways. Press night for Indian Ink will be on Wednesday, January 21, 2015. Tickets (ranging in price from $20-$120), are available by calling the A.C.T. Box Office at 415.749.2228 or online at www.act-sf.org.

Says Perloff: "It has been a singular joy to revisit this passionate and complex play fifteen years after giving it its American premiere at A.C.T. For this production, Tom has rewritten the ending and made other excellent alterations which have given the play a wonderful new flow. The circular tide of history so richly evoked in the play is realized with this company, led by the inimitable Firdous Bamji who played Anish this first time and now plays his father, Nirad Das! Indian Ink has been captivating New York audiences with its magical language and sensual relationships, and I can't wait to see the play on the Geary stage, as our exploration of the work of Britain's greatest living playwright continues."

The cast for Indian Ink includes Josie Alvarez, Mary Baird, Firdous Bamji, Joel Bernard, Vandit Bhatt, Danielle Frimer, Anthony Fusco, Dan Hiatt, Jason Kapoor, Roberta Maxwell, Brenda Meany, Philip Mils, Ajay Naidu, Mike Ryan, Glenn G. Stott, Pej Vahdat, and Rajeev Varma.

The creative team for Indian Ink includes set design by Neil Patel, lighting design by Robert Wierzel, costume design by Candice Donnelly, and original music and sound design by Dan Moses Schreier.

In association with Indian Ink, 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 making a whole night out of their evening 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 14
Providing a greener alternative to theater transportation, A.C.T. and the San Francisco Bike Coalition offer free valet bike parking, as well as a special discount on tickets, for these select performances.

• Prologue:
Tuesday, January 20, 5:30 p.m.
Before the curtain goes up, get behind the artistic process at this fascinating preshow discussion with the director and artistic staff.

• Theater on the Couch:
Friday, January 23, following the 8 p.m. performance
Led by Dr. Mason Turner, chief of psychiatry at San Francisco's Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, this exciting postshow discussion series explores the minds, motives, and behaviors of the characters and addresses audience questions.

• Audience Exchanges:
Tues., January 27, 7 p.m. | Sun., February 1, 2 p.m. | Wed., February 4, 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, January 28, 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 afterparty.

• Wine Series:
Tuesday, February 3, 7 p.m.
Before the show, raise a glass at this wine tasting event featuring leading sommeliers from the Bay Area's hottest local wineries.

• PlayTime:
Saturday, February 7, 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 2014-15 season continues with the West Coast debut of the outrageous and enthusiastically acclaimed new comedy, Mr. Burns, a post-electric play; the sumptuous jazz-filled production, Let There Be Love; the West Coast premiere of Caryl Churchill's internationally acclaimed new work, Love and Information; and Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler's most rapturous and seductive musical, A Little Night Music.

Full-season subscriptions offer incredible savings, unparalleled access, exclusive benefits, and personalized customer service. Subscribers save as much as 50% off single-ticket prices. Students and educators are eligible to save up to half price on subscriptions, and senior discounts are available for certain series. To make subscriptions more affordable, A.C.T. also offers all subscribers an extended payment plan that allows payment in two easy installments. A.C.T.'s competitive subscriber benefits include free ticket exchanges up to the day of scheduled tickets, guaranteed best seating, ticket insurance, access to convenient prepaid parking one block away from the theater, discounts for neighborhood restaurants, and the opportunity to subscribe to Words on Plays, A.C.T.'s in-depth theater guide for each show. Subscriptions can be ordered via the A.C.T. subscriptions office by calling 415.749.2250 or online at www.act-sf.org/subscribe.

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