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Visiting the City
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Local Events
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Cultural Events
415 Geary Street
American Conservatory Theater
San Francisco, CA
94102
BART: Powell
+1 415 749 2228
Fax: +1 415 439 2322
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The American Conservatory Theater’s revival of John Guare's 1976 play Rich and Famous easily shines as one of the season’s most entertaining productions. A semiautobiographical account, the play follows the ups and downs (mostly downs) of the aspiring playwright Bing Ringling (Brooks Ashmanskas) on the evening and aftermath of his first production, Etruscan Conundrum. The entire play is rife with witty musical numbers and zany characters, humorous moments and heartfelt realizations. As Rich and Famous progresses, despite the humor, the audience begins to witness the toll that the desire for fame and fortune takes on the characters. Veronica Gulpp-Vestige (Mary Birdsong), the producer of Ringling’s play, for example, has never known anything but success, but becomes so obsessed with making a ‘comeback’ that she courts failure to the point of wearing scathing reviews of Etruscan Conundrum like a bride’s train and diving into a large garbage can to wallow in her newfound unsuccess. Ringling’s high school sweetheart, Allison (also Mary Birdsong), similarly wallows in the brighter memories of her past at the expense of the present. Even his parents (Mary Birdsong and Stephen DeRosa) provide no solace for Ringling, insisting upon the importance of being rich and famous above all else. The chilling climax especially illustrates the insidious effects of fame and fortune, when they swallow everything and appear more important than life itself. Despite the darker aspects, however, Rich and Famous remains a delight throughout. Gregory Wallace as the actor/hustler Aphro is an especially welcome treat, as is Scott Bradley’s colorful, expressive sets. Directed by John Rando.
Tickets: $14-$82. Performance Dates: Now-February 8th. -Christopher Medina
disabled access.
start date: 2009-01-08
end date: 2009-02-08
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