The A.C.T. staging of a new translation by A.C.T. associate artist Domenique Lozano plays to March 14 at the company's home at 415 Geary Street. Previews began Feb. 18.
*
As in Doyle's rethinking of Broadway's Sweeney Todd (2005), for which Doyle won the Best Direction Tony Award, the entire score of this revival of the 1944 play will be performed by the cast. The new music is by acclaimed San Francisco composer Nathaniel Stookey.
In the tradition of "Stookey's earlier work, the score incorporates objects scavenged from the San Francisco Dump alongside more conventional instruments and voices," according to a production note.
Felciano played Toby in Doyle's Sweeney Todd on Broadway, and was Tony-nominated for his turn. He has since become a permanent company member with A.C.T. The cast will also feature René Augesen, Nick Childress, Anthony Fusco, Rod Gnapp, Caroline Hewitt, Omozé Idehenre, Gregory Wallace and Jack Willis. Doyle (Broadway's Company and A Catered Affair, and London and Broadway's Sweeney Todd) designed sets and costumes for The Caucasian Chalk Circle. He created the ensemble of The Caucasian Chalk Circle exclusively from A.C.T. core acting company members, A.C.T. Master of Fine Arts Program students, and graduates.
 |
 |
|
| John Doyle and Manoel Felciano |
According to A.C.T., "The play follows the story of a servant girl who saves the life of an abandoned baby boy in wartime. When the wealthy mother returns to claim him, however, their fates lie in the hands of a wily, unpredictable judge whose concern for the poor is rivaled only by his concern for saving his own hide."
The creative team of A.C.T.'s production of The Caucasian Chalk Circle also includes Jane Cox (lighting designer).
For tickets and information, call (415) 749-2228 or visit www.act-sf.org.
