John Goldman News

American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.), in partnership with the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition (SFBC), is providing a greener alternative to theater transportation. For two performances of the West Coast premiere of 4000 Miles-Thursday, January 17, and Thursday, January 24-A.C.T. will host Bike to the Theater Night, during which the SFBC will offer free valet bike parking for all patrons who cycle to the theater. Patrons who bike to the theater will receive a special discount on tickets that evening ($35 Orchestra, $25 Mezzanine, or $10 Balcony using code BIKE10 (online or by phone). Valet bike parking is available one hour prior to showtime. Bicycles will be attended throughout the evening. Patrons are asked to bring their own locks. For information about the SFBC, visit www.sfbike.org. To purchase tickets, visit www.act-sf.org or call 415.749.2228.

American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) Artistic Director Carey Perloff announced today the casting for the West Coast premiere of Amy Herzog's acclaimed comic drama 4000 Miles. Directed by A.C.T. Associate Director Mark Rucker, 4000 Miles tells the story of 21-year-old Leo, who unexpectedly arrives on the doorstep of his feisty 91-year-old grandmother Vera's New York apartment, dazed after a cross-country bike trip.

Featuring a lively cast of dozens, delightful music, gorgeous costumes, and those deliciously spooky ghosts, the Bay Area's favorite holiday tradition returns with American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.)'s celebrated production of the Charles Dickens classic A Christmas Carol. Now in its 36th year, this version of A Christmas Carol, adapted by Paul Walsh and Carey Perloff, stays true to the heart of Dickens's timeless story of redemption and brings a playful sensibility to his rich language. A Christmas Carol runs November 30-December 24, 2012, at A.C.T.'s Geary Theater (415 Geary Street, San Francisco). Press night is Tuesday, December 4, at 7 p.m. VIP seating is available for all performances, and VIP ticket holders enjoy the best seats in the house and complimentary drinks during intermission. Tickets (ranging in price from $20-$95), are available by calling the A.C.T. Box Office at 415.749.2228 or online at www.act-sf.org. Groups of 15 or more save up to 50% and enjoy free tickets for group leaders. Call Edward Budworth at 415.439.2473 for group sales.

In association with the West Coast premiere of George C. Wolfe's Tony Award-winning production of The Normal Heart, Larry Kramer's landmark play focusing on the early days of the AIDS crisis in New York City in the 1980s, American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) will offer numerous special events through its InterACT series, designed to give patrons opportunities to get closer to the action while making a whole night out of their evening at the theater.

The Thomashefskys: Music and Memories of a Life in the Yiddish Theater, a celebration of Yiddish theater pioneers Boris and Bessie Thomashefsky by their grandson, Michael Tilson Thomas, Artistic Director of the New World Symphony, airs Thursday, March 29 at 8 p.m. (check local listings), on THIRTEEN's Great Performances.

The San Francisco Symphony and Michael Tilson Thomas will present new episodes of their acclaimed Keeping Score television series on New York's WNET/THIRTEEN on Saturday, June 25 at 2:00 p.m. and Saturday, July 2 at 2:00 p.m. In a year marking the centenary of both the death of Gustav Mahler and the birth of the San Francisco Symphony, the Orchestra's Keeping Score project focuses on the enigmatic composer with two one-hour documentary-style episodes, two live-performance programs (full details follow), new Mahler-related content at http://www.keepingscore.org and a 13-part national radio series. The Keeping Score project is a natural outgrowth of the San Francisco Symphony's almost century-long commitment to make classical music more accessible and meaningful to people of all ages and musical backgrounds.

The San Francisco Symphony and Michael Tilson Thomas will present new episodes of their acclaimed Keeping Score television series on New York's WNET/THIRTEEN on Saturday, June 25 at 2:00 p.m. and Saturday, July 2 at 2:00 p.m. In a year marking the centenary of both the death of Gustav Mahler and the birth of the San Francisco Symphony, the Orchestra's Keeping Score project focuses on the enigmatic composer with two one-hour documentary-style episodes, two live-performance programs (full details follow), new Mahler-related content at http://www.keepingscore.org and a 13-part national radio series. The Keeping Score project is a natural outgrowth of the San Francisco Symphony's almost century-long commitment to make classical music more accessible and meaningful to people of all ages and musical backgrounds.

Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to appoint the following individuals to key Administration posts.

The San Francisco Symphony and Michael Tilson Thomas will present new episodes of their acclaimed Keeping Score television series on New York's WNET/THIRTEEN on Saturday, June 25 at 2:00 p.m. and Saturday, July 2 at 2:00 p.m.

Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) in association with David Pugh & Dafydd Rogers and Cineworld has announced the full Broadway company for Kneehigh Theatre's production of Noël Coward's Brief Encounter, adapted and directed by Emma Rice.