Jake Shears News

American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) announced that the record-breaking world premiere musical Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City, which has been extended four times, will close July 31.

Three decades after Armistead Maupin mesmerized millions with his daily column in the city's newspapers, detailing the lives and (multiple) loves of Mary Ann, Mouse, Mona, Brian, and their beloved but mysterious landlady, Mrs. Madrigal, his iconic San Francisco saga comes home as a momentous new musical from the Tony Award-winning creators of Avenue Q (librettist Jeff Whitty and director Jason Moore) and the musical minds behind the glam-rock phenomenon Scissor Sisters (composers Jake Shears and John Garden). Wesley Taylor, who stars as Mouse, brings a behind the scenes look entitled TALES. View it below!

American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) is proud to host Until There's A Cure Foundation (www.until.org) at its world premiere production of Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City. During three performances (Tuesday, June 28, at 8 p.m.; Wednesday, June 29, at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.), the foundation will sell its unique line of bracelets before the show, during intermission, and following the performance.

American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) is proud to host Until There's A Cure Foundation (www.until.org) at its world premiere production of Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City. During three performances (Tuesday, June 28, at 8 p.m.; Wednesday, June 29, at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.), the foundation will sell its unique line of bracelets before the show, during intermission, and following the performance.

Academy Award-winner Olympia Dukakis will be hosting a benefit performance of American Conservatory Theater's (A.C.T.) world-premiere musical, Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City on Friday, June 24, 2011, at 8 p.m. The evening is being hosted by San Francisco-based Jordan, Miller & Associates, which specializes in comprehensive financial planning for the LGBT community, as a benefit for A.C.T.'s education programs, and the Richmond Erhmet AIDS Foundation (REAF) of San Francisco. Attendees can choose to participate at different levels, all available at www.OlympiaHostsTales.Eventbrite.com:

Cabaret star, international singing sensation and post-modern showgirl, Meow Meow, acclaimed for her current performance in The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, returns to the stage with her solo West End debut, Meow Meow In Concert for three nights only on 23, 24 and 25 June

American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) adds an additional week of performances to its world premiere production of Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City, which continues to break sales records. The world premiere musical amassed the largest advance sale in A.C.T.'s history prior to its first preview performance on May 18 and continues to break sales records throughout its sold-out run. Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City will now run through July 31, 2011, at the American Conservatory Theater (415 Geary Street, San Francisco). The added performances are July 26-31, 2011: 8 p.m. performances Tuesday through Sunday and 2 p.m. matinees on July 30 and 31.

It's very hard to stay objective when a favorite story of yours is taken to a new medium and not used to its fullest potential. Unfortunately, dear readers, such was the case of my latest journey outside of Seattle to see some things that the rest of the country has to offer theatrically. But I'll try to remain objective while discussing American Conservatory Theater's production of "Tales of the City: A New Musical" that I witnessed in San Francisco.

American Conservatory Theater's (A.C.T.) highly anticipated production of Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City has been extended an additional two weeks through July 24 due to unprecedented demand. The world premiere musical amassed the largest advance sale in A.C.T.'s history prior to its first preview performance on May 18 and has continued to break sales records heading into this week's opening night gala. Check out photos from the event below!

Capturing the charm of the original source material, TALES OF THE CITY benefits from a strong cast fully committed to the work. Yet if Broadway is the goal, quite a bit of retooling, balancing and focusing remains, all within the grasp of this talented team.

Academy Award-winner Olympia Dukakis will be hosting a benefit performance of American Conservatory Theater's (A.C.T.) world-premiere musical, Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City on Friday, June 24, 2011, at 8 p.m. The evening is being hosted by San Francisco-based Jordan, Miller & Associates, which specializes in comprehensive financial planning for the LGBT community, as a benefit for A.C.T.'s education programs, and the Richmond Erhmet AIDS Foundation (REAF) of San Francisco. Attendees can choose to participate at different levels, all available at www.OlympiaHostsTales.Eventbrite.com:

American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.)'s Opening Night Gala celebrating the world premiere of Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City took place on Wednesday, June 1, 2011, and raised $950,000 to support the production and A.C.T.'s educational programs.

American Conservatory Theater's (A.C.T.) highly anticipated production of Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City has been extended an additional two weeks through July 24 due to unprecedented demand. The world premiere musical amassed the largest advance sale in A.C.T.'s history prior to its first preview performance on May 18 and has continued to break sales records heading into last night's opening night gala. Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City will now run through July 24, 2011, at the American Conservatory Theater (415 Geary Street, San Francisco). The added performances are July 12-24, 2011: 8 p.m. performances Tuesdays through Sundays (Sunday, July 17 performance is at 7 p.m.) and 2 p.m. matinees on July 13, 16, 23, 24;. For more information and to purchase tickets, please contact the A.C.T. Box Office at 415.749.2228 or visit the A.C.T. website at www.act-sf.org.

American Conservatory Theater's (A.C.T.) highly anticipated production of Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City has been extended an additional two weeks through July 24 due to unprecedented demand. The world premiere musical amassed the largest advance sale in A.C.T.'s history prior to its first preview performance on May 18 and has continued to break sales records heading into last night's opening night gala. Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City will now run through July 24, 2011, at the American Conservatory Theater (415 Geary Street, San Francisco). The added performances are July 12-24, 2011: 8 p.m. performances Tuesdays through Sundays (Sunday, July 17 performance is at 7 p.m.) and 2 p.m. matinees on July 13, 16, 23, 24;. For more information and to purchase tickets, please contact the A.C.T. Box Office at 415.749.2228 or visit the A.C.T. website at www.act-sf.org.

San Francisco's American Conservatory Theatre is now presenting Armistead Maupin and Jake Shear's TALES OF THE CITY, based on the novels. First serialized in The Chronicle, Armistead Maupin's bittersweet novel 'Tales of the City,' is set in San Francisco and consists of interlaced stories of dewy-eyed newcomers and dissolute social climbers, gay coming-out stories and paisley-clad hippies. The story captures the era of the mid-'70s in San Francisco, complete with disco and drugs, fern bars and pickup night at the Marina Safeway, as well as feelings of hope, heartbreak, innocence and laughter. Click below for an interview with the creators!