A.C.T.'s SATCHMO AT THE WALDORF, Starring John Douglas Thompson, Begins Tonight

American Conservatory Theater rings in the New Year with Terry Teachout's acclaimed one-man show, SATCHMO AT THE WALDORF (tonight, January 13-February 7, 2016).

The time is March of 1971. Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong, the greatest jazz musician of the twentieth century, is backstage at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, preparing for what will be his last performance. Though he was a radiantly optimistic man who was rarely seen in public without a smile, it turns out that there was more to "Satchmo" -- much more -- that few were privy to.

Starring OBIE winner John Douglas Thompson, SATCHMO AT THE WALDORF is a raw, uncensored look at Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong's meteoric rise to fame and his tumultuous relationships with his manager, Joe Glaser, and Miles Davis -- all magnetically channeled by Thompson. A tale of ambition and artistry set just four months before Armstrong's death in 1971, SATCHMO AT THE WALDORF offers viewers a complex, unforgettable glimpse into the heart and soul of one of history's most iconic jazz legends.

Performances of SATCHMO AT THE WALDORF will take place at A.C.T.'s Geary Theater (415 Geary St., San Francisco). Press night will be on Wednesday, January 20, 2016. Single tickets (ranging from $20-$105) 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.

A.C.T. Artistic Director Carey Perloff says: "SATCHMO AT THE WALDORF is not only an incredible tour-de-force for a great actor, it is a complicated look at artistic legacy; at what happens when rival aesthetics collide and when big personalities intervene in the passionate desire to shape an art form. It's incredibly hard to write about jazz, but Terry Teachout has done it, and the play immediately leapt off the page for me. Because San Francisco is such a major jazz town, SATCHMO AT THE WALDORF seemed destined to play here. It will be a great gift to have the spectacular John Douglas Thompson on the Geary stage at long last!"

Under the direction of Gordon Edelstein (Artistic Director at Long Wharf Theatre), the creative team for SATCHMO AT THE WALDORF includes set designer Lee Savage, lighting designer Kevin Adams, costume designer Ilona Somogyi, and sound designer John Gromada.

In association with SATCHMO AT THE WALDORF, 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 13
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 19, 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 22, 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 26, 7 p.m. | Wed., February 3, 2 p.m.
After the show, stick around for a lively Q&A session with the actors and artists who create the work onstage.

Special Audience Exchanges:
Sun., January 31, 2 p.m.
After the show, join the SFJAZZ High School All-Stars Combo, an octet, as they perform a special "Tribute to Satchmo" concert in Fred's Columbia Room, located downstairs from the Geary Theater's main lobby. This event is free to audience members of that afternoon's performance.

OUT with A.C.T.:
Wednesday, January 27, 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 7, 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 6, 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 SATCHMO AT THE WALDORF is made possible by executive producers Mr. and Mrs. Gerson Bakar; Priscilla and Keith Geeslin; Nion McEvoy and Leslie Berriman; Bert and Deedee McMurtry; Tim Mott and Pegan Brooke; Aaron Vermut and Adriana Lopez Vermut; Barry Williams and Lalita Tademy; producers Lloyd and Janet Cluff and Gene and Mary Metz; and associate producers Kathleen Bennett and Tom Malloy; Marcia and Geoffrey Green; Ms. Linda Kurtz; Terry and Jan Opdendyk; and Paul and Barbara Weiss. SATCHMO AT THE WALDORF is sponsored by BNY Mellon, with additional support by Hafner Vineyard and Inspiration Vineyard. KCSM-FM - Jazz 91.1 is the official media sponsor for SATCHMO AT THE WALDORF.

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