Photo Flash: Luminescence Dating (ACT & Magic Co-Project)

American Conservatory Theater (ACT) and Magic Theatre celebrate their 40th anniversary seasons by teaming for their first-ever co-production: the West Coast premiere of ACT Artistic Director Carey Perloff's Luminescence Dating, running November 29 through December 23 at the Magic Theatre, directed by veteran theatrical director Mark Rucker.

"Luminescence Dating centers on Angela Hart, an archeologist determined to find the Praxiteles Aphrodite, a seven-foot tall marble nude that aroused obsessions in 4th century B.C. before vanishing without a trace," describes press notes, "When Angela's colleague and friend Victor Reid steals a broken arm from an excavation lead by Angela's professional nemesis and former lover, British archaeologist Nigel Edwards, Angela is given the clue that may reveal the statue's secrets. As the three highly competitive and emotionally charged academics set off unraveling the mystery, the Goddess of Love herself (who appears within the story in an unexpected physical guise) unleashes a chain of desires that forever changes their dynamic."

Luminescence Dating features ACT core acting company members René Augesen (Angela Hart), Stephen Barker Turner (Nigel Edwards), Gregory Wallace (Victor Reid), plus OBIE-Award winning actress, Ching Valdes Aran portrays Aphrodite. Designers: Erik Flatmo (sets), Callie Floor (costumes), Russell H. Champa (lights), Chris Houston (sound design and compositions).

Previews are Nov. 29, 30, & Dec. 1 with an Opening Dec. 2, running through Dec. 23. Show times are Nov. 29 & 30, Dec. 1, 6 – 9, 13 – 15, 20 – 23 at 8:00PM and Dec. 3, 10 & 17 at 2:30PM.

Tickets ($31-45) are available through the Magic Theatre Box Office, by phone at 415-441-8822, and online at www.magictheatre.org. Subject to availability, $10 rush tickets are available for students, seniors, educators, and those under 30 years-old, beginning one half-hour before curtain. Valid ID required. Sliding Scale Wednesdays: A minimum of 10 tickets are reserved each Tuesday at $5-$25 for each Wednesday performance. No reservations accepted; tickets available on a first-come, first-served basis. Cash only at the box office.

The Magic Theatre is located in Bldg D at Fort Mason Center, San Francisco.

Photos by David Wilson

Archaelogist Angela Hart (René Augesen) examines the broken arm of a statue stolen by her friend Victor Reid (Gregory Wallace) from an excavation in Cyprus led by Angela's professional nemisis and former lover Nigel Richards. The arm may belong to a 4th century BC sculpture of Aphrodite--a statue that Angela has spent the better part of her career trying to find.

After having left her without word following their affair the previous year, Nigel (Stephen Barker Turner) returns to the studio of his former partner Angela (Rene Augesen) to surprise her with his latest discoveries from his dig in Cyprus.

Late at night in her studio, Angela (Rene Augesen) is interrupted by the mysterious cleaning woman (Ching Valdez-Aran) who seems to know perhaps a little too much about the subject of Angela's relentless pursuit: Aphrodite.

Military historian Nigel (Stephen Barker Turner, right), Nigel's former student Victor (Gregory Wallace, left), and his former lover Angela (Rene Augesen) form the triangle of obsessed academics who attempt to champion professional ambition over their own personal passions in Luminescence Dating.

The relentless pursuit of the statue of the love goddess Aphrodite (Ching Valdez-Aran, background) awakens the passions of professional rivals and former lovers Angela (Rene Augesen) and Nigel (Stephen Barker Turner).

Aphrodite (Ching Valdez-Aran) confesses to the troubles of being the world's oldest love object.

To post a comment, you must register and login.