Directed by A.C.T. artistic director Carey Perloff, the West Coast premiere of Stoppard's acclaimed play will begin previews at the San Francisco venue Sept. 11 and continue through Oct. 12.
In a statement playwright Stoppard said, "I have felt indebted to A.C.T. audiences and to Carey's beautiful productions of my work for many years. I think Rock 'n' Roll will feel at home in Geary Street."
Director Perloff added, "What is particularly wonderful about doing Rock 'n' Roll at A.C.T. is that it fits our core acting company so beautifully, which has pleased Stoppard enormously, since he has enjoyed collaborating with them so much over the years."
In addition to Felciano, the cast will feature A.C.T. core acting company members René Augesen, Anthony Fusco, Jud Williford and Jack Willis; A.C.T. M.F.A. program third-year students Nicholas Pelczar and Natalie Hegg; and James Carpenter, Delia MacDougall, Marcia Pizzo and Summer Serafin.
Rock 'n' Roll, according to A.C.T., is a "rapturous, decades-spanning tale of Prague's rock revolution, [which] follows the passions and politics of a Marxist professor in Cambridge and his Rolling Stones–obsessed protégé fighting for freedom in Soviet–dominated Czechoslovakia." The upcoming presentation is a co-production with the Huntington Theatre Company. The same company will play the Boston venue in November. The design team comprises scenic designer Douglas W. Schmidt, lighting designer Robert Wierzel, costume designer Alex Jaeger and sound designer Jake Rodriguez.
Manoel Felciano has been seen on Broadway in Sweeney Todd, Brooklyn, Jesus Christ Superstar and Cabaret as well as in the national tours of Saturday Night Fever and Whistle Down the Wind. His Off-Broadway credits include Shockheaded Peter and Much Ado About Nothing. Felciano received a 2006 Tony nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Musical. He starred in the title role of the Reprise! production of Sunday in the Park with George and in the Reprise! staging of Flora, the Red Menace.
Tickets, which begin at $17, are available by calling A.C.T. ticket services at (415) 749-2228 or by visiting www.act-sf.org.
