A.C.T. Opens 2015-16 Season with BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY Tonight

American Conservatory Theater kicks off the 2015-16 season with Stephen Adly Guirgis's (The Motherf*cker with the Hat, Jesus Hopped the A Train) outrageous new dark comedy, Between Riverside and Crazy (tonight, September 2-27, 2015).

The winner of the 2015 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Between Riverside and Crazy tells the story of ex-cop and recent widower Walter "Pops" Washington (portrayed by star of stage and screen Carl Lumbly, last seen on A.C.T.'s Geary Theater stage in Let There Be Love), who is desperately trying to hold on to his prime piece of real estate-one of the last great rent-stabilized apartments in New York City-while simultaneously battling his inner demons. His landlord wants him and his newly paroled son out; his cop friends are begging him to back down from a lawsuit against City Hall; the local liquor store has closed; and a beautiful, mysterious Santeria practitioner promises salvation in the midst of all the chaos. Hailed as "a genuine original that deserves to be seen by anyone hungry for a smart, exuberantly funny urban dramedy" (Newsday), Between Riverside and Crazy is a hilarious and timely story that tackles gentrification, recovery, faith, sketchy houseguests, and the saving grace of family. Performances of Between Riverside and Crazy will take place at A.C.T.'s Geary Theater (415 Geary St., San Francisco).

Press night for Between Riverside and Crazy will be on Wednesday, September 9, 2015. Single tickets (ranging from $20-$100) go on sale July 27, 2015 and are available at the A.C.T. Box Office at 415.749.2228 or online at www.act-sf.org.

A.C.T. Artistic Director Carey Perloff says: "With every play he writes, Guirguis's language becomes more explosive and more hilarious. For me, Between Riverside and Crazy is both wickedly funny and incredibly trenchant; in the midst of our own housing crisis in the Bay Area and when issues of displacement, gentrification and police behavior are so present, this play brings us right into the heart of contemporary urban contradictions. The show is not only a brilliantly crafted family drama; it's a stinging look at economic inequality and at what we will do to hold on to the family home. The central role of Pops is a dream role for Carl Lumbly, who dazzled our audiences last season in Let There Be Love, and we have teamed Carl up with his longtime collaborator Irene Lewis and an amazing company of actors. I can't wait to see what they'll come up with to open our season at A.C.T."

The cast of Between Riverside and Crazy (in alphabetical order) includes: Chris Butler (Junior), Catherine Castellanos (Church Lady), Carl Lumbly (Walter "Pops" Washington), Gabriel Marin (Lieutenant Caro), Elia Monte-Brown (Lulu), Stacey Ross (Detective O'Connor), and Lakin Valdez (Oswaldo).

Directed by Irene Lewis (Race and Dead Metaphor at A.C.T.), the creative team for Between Riverside and Crazy includes set designer Chris Barreca, lighting designer Seth Resier, costume designer Candice Donnelly, and sound designer Leon Rothenberg.

In association with Between Riverside and Crazy, 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, September 2
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, September 8, 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, September 11, 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., September 15, 7 p.m. | Sun., September 20, 2 p.m. | Wed., September 23, 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 September 16, 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 September 22, 7 p.m.
Before the show, raise a glass at this wine-tasting event featuring the Bay Area's hottest local winery.

PlayTime:
Saturday, September 26, 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 Between Riverside and Crazy is made possible by executive producers Jo S. Hurley; Fred M. Levin and Nancy Livingston, The Shenson Foundation; producers Ms. Linda Jo Fitz; David and Carla Riemer; and associate producers Bill Gregory; Ms. Betty Hoener.

A.C.T. would also like to acknowledge its 2015-16 company sponsors Frannie Fleishhacker; Priscilla and Keith Geeslin; Jeri Lynn and Jeffrey W. Johnson; Fred M. Levin and Nancy Livingston, The Shenson Foundation; Burt and Deedee McMurtry; Barbara Ravizza and John S. Osterweis; and Arthur and Toni Rembe Rock.

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