San Francisco Mime Troupe Opens 53rd Season with FOR THE GREATER GOOD, or THE LAST ELECTION, Now thru 9/3

The Tony Award-winning San Francisco Mime Troupe opens its 53rd season with FOR THE GREATER GOOD, or THE LAST ELECTION, July 4-September 3, 2012.

Pity the poor 1 percent. Abused in that sliver of press they don’t own, condemned in the streets by a rabble who don’t appreciate the benefits of being trickled down upon, and raked over the coals by the few politicians who aren’t lined up to kiss their wealth and power. Talk about an oppressed minority. Finally, someone is stepping up to tell the story of these steaming sacks of benevolence as the San Francisco Mime Troupe presents FOR THE GREATER GOOD, or THE LAST ELECTION, a tale that will warm the heart of every billionaire. Based on the classic 19th century melodrama The Poor of New York, the Troupe turns the story on its head, telling it from the point of view of the misunderstood Godzillionaires who have made this country what it is today: broke.

Michael Gene Sullivan directs Velina Brown, Ed Holmes, Lisa Hori-Garcia, Keiko Shimosato Carreiro, Victor Toman, and Reggie D. Whitein this musical satire about “true” American values. Featuring music, lyrics, and musical direction by Pat Moran.

The San Francisco Mime Troupe creates and produces socially relevant theater; their work is political satire and anything but silent. The Mime Troupe creates plays that make sense out of the headlines, close-up stories that make audiences feel the impact of political events on their personal lives. To make this work accessible to the broadest audience possible, the Mime Troupe performs at a price everyone can afford: free.

SCHEDULE: Preview performance: Sunday, June 17, San Geronimo Valley Community Center, located at 6350 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, San Geronimo - 3:30 music, 4pm show.

SAN FRANCISCO: Wednesday, July 4, Dolores Park, 1:30 music, 2pm show- OPENING DAY; Saturday, July 7, Dolores Park, 1:30 music, 2pm show; Sunday, July 8, Dolores Park, 1:30 music, 2pm show; Saturday, August 18, Glen Park, 1:30 music, 2pm show; Sunday, August 19, Yerba Buena Gardens, 1:30 music, 2pm show; Saturday, September 1, Dolores Park, 1:30 music, 2pm show; Sunday, September 2 Dolores Park, 1:30 music, 2pm show – ASL interpreter on site; Monday, September 3, Dolores Park, 1:30 music, 2pm show

All shows are free and open to the public (unless otherwise noted); additional performances will be held in the East Bay, North Bay, on the Peninsula, and beyond. For more information and a complete performance schedule, the public may call 415.285.1717 or visit www.sfmt.org.