Polk, Del Negro & Campbell Star in 'Speed-the-Plow' at ACT

American Conservatory Theater announced the casting today for David Mamet's brisk, cutting comedy on the movie business, Speed-the-Plow, directed by Loretta Greco, returning to A.C.T. after last season's Blackbird.

The ensemble cast features 2007 Drama Desk Award-nominee Andrew Polk (The Accomplices), Matthew Del Negro (The Sopranos), and Jessi Campbell (A.C.T.'s Blackbird). Speed-the-Plow plays A.C.T. January 4 through February 3. Press night is Wednesday, January 9.

Tickets-starting at $14-are available now by calling A.C.T. Ticket Services at 415.749.2228 or by logging on to A.C.T.'s website at www.act-sf.org.

A.C.T. has enjoyed a longstanding and successful history with Mamet's work. Productions of the master's work, including Sexual Perversity in Chicago (2005), American Buffalo (2003), and The Voysey Inheritance (2005) have been audience favorites.

"The plot of Speed-the-Plow focuses on two high-powered Hollywood executives, Charlie Fox and Bobby Gould, who have come up from the mailroom together. Charlie brings Bobbie a surefire hit with a major star attached. Bobby seems certain to give the green light, until his beautiful new secretary gets involved. In addition to the action among the characters, director Greco is fascinated with the play's broader cultural background of Hollywood and the movies," explain press notes.

The cast of A.C.T.'s Speed-the-Plow features three fantastically versatile stars of stage and screen; two of whom are reunited with director Greco in this production after previous collaborations. As conniving movie mogul Bobby Gould, Matthew Del Negro makes his debut on the A.C.T. stage. Famed for his recurring role on HBO's The Sopranos as financial advisor Brian Cammarata, Del Negro is also a veteran of The West Wing, Law & Order, CSI: Miami, and many others. Committed to retaining a balance of film, television, and theater work, Del Negro continues to be a presence at the New York International Fringe Festival, and his off-Broadway credits include Touch (directed by Greco) and Burning Blue.

Jessi Campbell is featured as Karen, Gould's earnest secretary-in director Greco's view, the character that is "the real engine of the play." Campbell made her A.C.T. debut in last season's Blackbird, also directed by Loretta Greco. New York credits include the title roles of Inky and Victoria Martin: Math Team Queen at the Women's Project (both directed by Greco), the Girl Scout in Commedia dell Smartass at New Georges, Boy in Lascivious Something at Cherry Lane Theater, and Shawna in The Chrysalis Stage (written and directed by Cobey Mandarino) at the 2006 New York International Fringe Festival. Film and television credits include the remake of The Amityville Horror, Spinning into Butter with Sarah Jessica Parker, Rescue Me, Law & Order: SVU, and The Knights of Prosperity.

Recent Drama Desk Award-nominee (for Accomplices) Andrew Polk will appear as Gould's oldest friend, the furiously ambitious Charlie Fox. In addition to his numerous New York credits (recently including Accomplices, Walmartopia, and Flight), Polk has also served as artistic director of the critically acclaimed Cape Cod Theatre Project since its founding in 1995. Polk has been nominated for Helen Hayes and Barrymore awards, winning the Barrymore in 1997 for Best Ensemble in Love! Valour! Compassion! A Bay Area native, Polk gained some of his first theater experience on the A.C.T. stage. As a twelve-year-old student in A.C.T.'s Young Conservatory, Polk was invited by director Edward Hastings (later artistic director of A.C.T.) to act onstage in A.C.T.'s production of David Belasco's Girl of the Golden West in 1980. On television, Polk has appeared on 30 Rock, Law & Order, Law & Order: SVU, and Law & Order: CI, among others.

The design team for Speed-the-Plow includes G. W. "Skip" Mercier (sets), Alex Jaeger (costumes), York Kennedy (lights), Jake Rodriguez (sound).

Previews are January 4 – 8; Opening Night is January 9 with performances through February 3. 

Performances are Tuesdays – Saturdays at 8PM (except January 15 at 7PM); Wednesdays, Saturdays & Sundays at 2PM (except no matinees on January 9 & 16). Additional performances Sunday January 6 & 13 at 7PM.

Tickets are $14-$57 previews; $17-$71 Tue.-Fri. & Sun. evenings; $22-$82 Sat. evenings and weekend matinees.  Tickets for Speed-the-Plow can be purchased at A.C.T. Ticket Services, located at 405 Geary Street, 415-749-2228; or via the A.C.T. website, www.act-sf.org. Groups of 15 or more people are eligible for discounts; please call 415-439-2473.

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