San Francisco Playhouse Stages BENGAL TIGER AT THE BAGHDAD ZOO, Now thru 11/14

San Francisco Playhouse will launch the first year of their second decade, now in a new venue at 450 PostStreet, with the Tony nominated and Pulitzer finalist Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo (BTBZ) by Rajiv Josef, directed by Bill English.

This ferociously funny drama, follows the intertwined lives of a quick-witted tiger, two homesick American marines, and a troubled Iraqi gardener as they roam the streets of war-torn Baghdad in search of meaning, redemption, and a toilet seat made of gold. Surreal and darkly humorous, it explores the madness of life in war as well as the power and the perils of human nature.

Artistic Director, Bill English has been pursuing this play for five years because "It asks the biggest question of our lives, 'Why are we here?' We are all part animal, part spiritual, and our success at being human is defined by how we balance our contradictory natures. Bengal Tiger at the Bagdhad Zoo is the perfect kick-off for our season of 'Body and Soul'."

The BTBZ cast teams up Bay Area Award winning favorites: Gabriel Marin*, Craig Marker*, and Will Marchetti* with new faces to The Playhouse, Kuros Charney*, Livia Demarchi, Pomme Koch, and Sarita Ocon.

The design team includes Bill English (Set), Dan Reed (Lights), Steven Klems (Sound), Tatjana Genser*(Costumes), Micah J. Stiegliz (Projections), Ben Schmidt (Props Artisan) and Paul Theren (Prosthetics).

This ferocious Pulitzer Prize finalist follows the intertwined lives of a quick-witted tiger, two homesick American marines, and a troubled Iraqi gardener as they roam the streets of war-torn Baghdad in search of meaning, redemption, and a toilet seat made of gold. Surreal and darkly humorous, it explores the madness of life in war as well as the power and the perils of human nature.

The show plays in previews tonight, October 1-October 4 at 8pm, Opens Saturday, October 5th at 8pm through November 14th, running Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 7pm. Friday & Saturday 8pm, Saturday 3pm. New: Sundays October 13, October 20 and October 27 at 2pm. All performances take place at the San Francisco Playhouse, 450 Post Street, SF. For tickets ($30-$100) box office: 415-677-9596, or www.sfplayhouse.org.

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