Emmy Award-winning Comedian Louie Anderson Brings DEAR DAD to A.C.T.'s Strand Theater

American Conservatory Theater Associate Artistic Director Andy Donald announced today that three-time Emmy Award-winning comedian Louie Anderson will bring his New York Times-best-selling memoir Dear Dad to A.C.T.'s Strand Theater (1127 Market Street) in an exclusive San Francisco engagement January 10-14, 2018. Whether he's portraying Zach Galifianakis's mother on the FX hit Baskets or winning over audiences worldwide with his unique brand of stand-up, iconic comedian Louie Anderson has inspired and entertained with his inimitable brand of humor and warmth. In his one-man show, Dear Dad, Anderson recounts his unique upbringing through the touching and outrageous letters he wrote to his late father. In this new work in progress-a journey full of laughs, love, and possibilities-audiences will have the opportunity to see one of today's top comedians share this powerful story in the intimate Strand Theater. Dear Dad is presented as part of A.C.T.'s @TheStrand series.

Single tickets range in price from $25-$40. A limited number of VIP tickets ($55) are available and include premier seating and a post-performance meet-and-greet with Louie Anderson. Tickets are available now at the A.C.T. Box Office at 415.749.2228 or online at www.act-sf.org. Prices are subject to change without notice.

The performance schedule for Dear Dad is as follows: Wednesday, January 10 at 7:30 p.m.; Thursday, January 11 at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, January 12 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, January 13 at 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, January 14 at 2 p.m.

"I'm thrilled to be working with A.C.T. on adapting my New York Times bestseller Dear Dad into an exciting theatrical solo show," said Anderson. "Since its publication in 1989, I've been amazed by the thousands upon thousands of heartfelt responses I've received from readers who have connected with my journey to recover and reestablish my relationship with my unreachable father. Our hope is to shape and create an evening of theater for San Francisco audiences that resonates as deeply as the book has with readers, through laughs, maybe some tears, and the awareness that we all have a unique family experience worthy of sharing."

Iconic comedian Louie Anderson, a three­-time Emmy Award winner, is one of the country's most recognized and adored comics, named by Comedy Central as "One of 100 Greatest Stand­-Up Comedians of All Time." His career has spanned more than 30 years. He is a best-selling author, star of his own stand-up specials and sitcoms and he continues to tour the world performing to standing-room-only crowds.

In 2016 Anderson was cast to co­-star along with Zach Galifianakis and Martha Kelly in the hit FX comedy series BasketS. Anderson plays the extraordinary role of Christine, the matriarch of the Baskets clan. He based the character on his mother and his five sisters, who were all a major presence in his life. Anderson won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series and a Critics' Choice award for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for this role in 2016 and received a second Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for the role in 2017.

Johnny Carson, the comedy icon for generations of rising stars, inviTed Anderson to make his national television debut on The Tonight Show in 1984 and the rest is history. Appearances with Jay Leno, David Letterman, The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, and Comic Relief followed, along with specials on Showtime and HBO. He hosted the legendary game show Family Feud, making Anderson a household name and opening doors for him as an actor.

Anderson has guest-­starred in sitcoms including Grace Under Fire and dramas including Touched by an Angel and Chicago Hope. He has had memorable featured roles in film comedies including Coming to America opposite Eddie Murphy, and the classic Ferris Bueller's Day Off. In 2013, he took a dive on the ABC reality series Splash, where he conquered his own fears while becoming an inspiration of hope. His stand-up special Big Baby Boomer premiered on CMT in 2013.

In 1995 Anderson put his creative energies to work on the Saturday morning animated series Life with Louie. The long-­running series based on Anderson's own childhood and his life with his father won three Humanitas Prizes for writing on a children's animated series, making him the only three­-time recipient of this award. The series was nominated for Outstanding Special Class Animated Program and Anderson won two Emmys for Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program.

His best-selling books include Dear Dad: Letters from an Adult Child, a collection of alternately touching and outrageous letters from Anderson to his late father; Good­bye Jumbo...Hello Cruel World; self-help for those who struggle with self-esteem issues; and The F Word, How to Survive Your Family.

Louie's most recent book, Hey Mom (April 2018 Simon and Schuster) combines wry wit and poignant humor while sharing his journey of turning life's challenges into joy, as well as plenty of wisdom he's gained from his late mother.

Anderson has been channeling his beloved mom in his iconic stand-up comedy for decades-but she passed away before getting to see him reach new heights and win an Emmy for his breakout role playing her on Baskets. Hey Mom is Anderson's way of catching her up on everything that has been going on in his life, including his continued struggles with food, drugs, gambling, depression, and the recent spotlight for his role as Christine Baskets. Hey Mom also has plenty of laugh-out-loud stories about his incredibly resilient mother and his ten siblings.

When not in production Anderson continues to tour, traveling the States doing what he loves to do: Stand-Up Comedy. Anderson again delivers to his fans his inimitable brand of humor and warmth.

A.C.T.'s @TheStrand is a series of events showcasing world-class performances, original theatrical events, acclaimed touring shows, and groundbreaking new works from the Bay Area and beyond. Featuring exciting works from the worlds of theater, dance, comedy, music, and more, @TheStrand further develops A.C.T.'s dynamic and intimate performance complex into a unique San Francisco venue where audiences can discover, engage, and explore arts of all mediums.

From December 14-17, 2017, comedian Colin Quinn will bring his all-new stand-up show, One in Every Crowd, to The Strand Theater as part of A.C.T.'s @TheStrand series.

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