New Vaudevillian Bill Irwin is well known for his clowning, directing and recent turns in some big films ("The Laramie Project," "How the Grinch Stole Christmas"). July 30, he tells of his rise from busker on the streets of San Francisco to Tony-nominated star at the San Francisco Performing Arts Library and Museum.
Irwin, recipient of a MacArthur Foundation "genius" Grant, developed his silent clown persona in such shows as The Regard of Flight and Largely New York. He directed and starred in an Off-Broadway production of Moliere's Scapin for Roundabout Theatre Company, co starred in Waiting for Godot at Lincoln Center, and directed A Flea in Her Ear, also for Roundabout.
Tickets to the lecture, beginning at 6 PM, are $20, $10 for students and PALM members. The Performing Arts Library is located at 401 Van Ness Avenue on the 4th Floor. Reservervations can be made by calling (415) 255-4800.
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Irwin reteams with partner David Shiner for an encore run of their Fool Moon at American Conservatory Theatre's Geary Theatre July 20-Aug. 12. In Fool Moon, Irwin plays his sweetly mischievous persona off Shiner's more astringent one. Some of their routines incorporate music by the bluegrass band Red Clay Ramblers, who also perform solo during the show. The ACT press release promises the "grand masters of physical comedy will literally climb the walls of the Geary Theatre, turn audience members into performers, wrangle with everything from microphone cords to the stage curtain...all without uttering a word." This is the second engagement of Fool Moon at ACT after the sold-out run in Sept. 3 Oct. 11, 1998.
Shiner made his Broadway musical debut in 2000 as the Cat in the Hat in Seussical. His past work includs clowing with the Cirque du Soleil.
Designing Fool Moon are Douglas Stein (sets), Bill Kellard (costumes), Nanacy Schertler (lighting) and Tom Morse (sound).
Tickets to Fool Moon are $61-$15. American Conservatory Theatre's Geary Theater is located at 415 Geary Street. For reservations, call (415) 749-2250. American Conservatory Theatre is on the web at www.act sfbay.org.
