Mugleston Heads to Happy End in San Francisco in June

Linda Mugleston, who was featured in the recent Broadway revival of Wonderful Town, is set to headline a San Francisco production of the Kurt Weill-Bertolt Brecht musical Happy End, which will boast choreography by Tony-nominee John Carrafa. Presented by the American Conservatory Theatre, it will run from June 8th through July 9th at the company's Geary Theatre; opening night is set for June 15th.

Happy End will be directed by A.C.T. artistic director Carey Perloff. "Gangsters collide with Salvation Army workers in this colorful musical tale of love and betrayal....Combining social satire with music-hall moxie, Happy End showcases a mythical 1920s Chicago packed with oversized personalities, financial corruption, and some of the greatest songs of twentieth-century theater, including 'Surabaya Johnny' and 'The Bilbao Song,'" according to the theatre's website.

The production will feature an English adaptation by Michael Feingold (as did the 1977 Broadway production that featured Meryl Streep). Based on an original German play by Elisabeth Hauptmann, Happy End features music by Weill and lyrics and book by Brecht. The two, among other works, penned The Threepenny Opera, which is currently playing Broadway's Studio 54.

Happy End--which will feature Mugleston as the Lady in Grey--will also star Charlotte Cohn (La Boheme) and Peter J. Macon. Sab Shimono (Pacific Overtures), Charles Dean, Rod Gnapp, Steven Anthony Jones, Joan Harris-Gelb, René Augesen, Lianne Marie Dobbs, Jud Williford, Justin Leath, Celia Shuman, Jackson Davis, Dan Hiatt, Wendy James, Colin Thomson, Drew Hirshfield and Stephanie Saunders will be featured among the production's ensemble.

Mugleston served as understudy in the role of Ruth during the revival of Wonderful Town and also played Violet. Other Broadway credits include Nine, Into the Woods, Kiss Me, Kate and On the Town.

Carrafa received Tony nominations for choreographing Urinetown and the revival of Into the Woods. Other credits include Good Vibrations, Dance of the Vampires, Dirty Blonde and Singin' in the Rain.

The creative team will feature Constantine Kitsopoulos (musical direction), Walt Spangler (sets), Candice Donnelly (costumes), Robert Wierzel (lighting) and Jeff Curtis (sound).

The Geary Theatre is located at 415 Geary St. Call (415) 749-2228 or visit www.act sf.org for tickets.