After the War, World Premiere at ACT Begins March 22

American Conservatory Theatre (ACT) is proud to present the World Premiere of After the War by Philip Kan Gotanda, directed by Carey Perloff beginning performances March 22 through April 22.  Opening night is March 28.

"When more than 120,000 Japanese Americans were imprisoned by the US government during World War II, San Francisco's bustling Japantown suddenly became an urban ghost town.  African Americans from the neighboring Fillmore district, rural whites from the Midwest, and other societal outcast began to fill the vacant neighborhood.  But what happened when the Japanese Americans came back? Radiantly hopeful and heart-wrenchingly honest, After the War is a powerful valentine to San Francisco – and to the everyday people who built this city with their lives, loves, and stories," states press materials.

In this world premiere commissioned and developed by ACT, acclaimed playwright Philip Kan Gotanda (The Wash, ACT's Yohen) portrays an unexpected grouping of characters struggling to revive a community shattered by the effects of the war.  Deeply infused with the intercultural jazz rhythms of the neighborhood and era, After the War features original music by seminal San Francisco jazz artist and Grammy nominee Anthony Brown.

Show times are Tuesdays through Saturdays at 8PM; Wednesdays & Saturdays at 2PM; and Sundays at 2PM.  March 1 will have an evening performance at 7PM.  The evening performance March 3 will be at 7PM (not 8PM).  There is no matinee March 28 & April 18.

Tickets ($13.50-$56.50) for After the War can be purchased at ACT Ticket Services, located at 405 Geary Street, by phone at 415-749-2228; or online at www.act-sf.org. Groups of 15 or more people are eligible for discounts; please call 415-439-2473.

The American Conservatory Theatre is located at 415 Geary St. San Francisco, CA 94102.