Photo Flash: Happy End ACT Rehearsal, Opens June 8

San Francisco's American Conservatory Theater (ACT) completes its 2005-06 season with the West Coast premiere of Bertolt Brecht's Happy End, to open at the Geary Theatre June 8 through July 9.

Happy End, described as a gangster melodrama with songs, has lyrics by Bertolt Brecht and music by Kurt Weill.  Based on the original German play by Dorothy Lane (with Elisabeth Hauptmann and Bertolt Brecht).  Books and lyrics have been adapted by Michael Feingold.

ACT's production is directed by Carey Perloff and features choreography from Tony-nominee John Carrafa and musical direction from Constantine Kitsopoulis.

Tickets for Happy End can be purchased at the Geary Theater Box Office, located at 405 Geary Street, San Francisco; by phone 415-749-2228; or via the ACT site, www.act-sf.org.

Rehearsal Photos by Ryan Montgomery

Tony-nominated choreographer John Carrafa (blue shirt, center) directs Bill Cracker's gang: (clockwise) Sab Shimono, Jack Willis, Celia Shuman, Rod Gnapp, and Justin Leath in rehearsal for Happy End.

Tough-as-nails gangster Bill Cracker (Peter J. Macon) puts the hurt on his underling Baby Face (Justin Leath) in a scene from Happy End.

Jack Willis portrays Sam "Mammy" Wurlitzer, Cracker's close friend and fellow gang member. 

Peter J. Macon portray's Bill Cracker, and Celia Shuman portrays Miriam, the bar maid at Bill's Bar, in ACT's production of the Brecht/Weill musical comedy Happy End.

Happy End plays at ACT's Geary Theatre June 8 through July 9.