Laurie Metcalf to Star in QUALITY of LIFE at A.C.T.

American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) announced today that Laurie Metcalf will be performing the role of Jeannette for the full run of its production of The Quality of Life, written and directed by Jane Anderson. Caroline Lagerfelt has stepped down from the previously announced alternate arrangement for the role when Metcalf became available after her television commitment was put on hiatus. Metcalf originated the role of Jeannette, which was written for her, in the Geffen Playhouse production of The Quality of Life and has a long-standing artistic relationship with Anderson.

Lagerfelt, who is returning to her recurring role on Gossip Girl, says she agreed to the unconventional casting arrangement as a personal favor to Artistic Director Carey Perloff and because of the strength of Anderson’s emotionally complex and actor-driven play. “I am thrilled to have gotten a chance to work with this amazing group of artists,” she says, “but I know that being able to rehearse and perform this difficult piece with one actress will make the process more fluid.”

“Caroline brought incredible commitment and artistry to this part,” says Anderson. “Laurie, the other cast members, and I are incredibly grateful for her wonderful work in the room. We couldn’t have gotten to this point without her and I consider her contribution a vital part of our process.”

“We have a long-standing relationship with Caroline,” says Perloff. “I am already in the process of looking through scripts for next season with her. She is a huge talent and I know that she will be back on the A.C.T. stage very soon.”

In addition to Metcalf, the four-person ensemble for The Quality of Life features two other members of the original award-winning cast: two time OBIE Award winner Dennis Boutsikaris and JoBeth Williams (Poltergeist, The Big Chill), joined by Stephen Culp, who most recently appeared on the A.C.T. stage in the acclaimed production of Blackbird. Produced in association with the Geffen Playhouse and Jonathan Reinis Productions, The Quality of Life plays at A.C.T. October 24 through November 23, 2008. Opening night is Wednesday, October 29, at 8p.m. Tickets—starting at $14—are available by calling A.C.T. Ticket Services at 415.749.2228, or at www.act-sf.org.

 
TICKETS

Tickets for The Quality of Life can be purchased by visiting A.C.T. Ticket Services, located at 405 Geary Street, by calling 415.749.2228, or via the A.C.T. website at www.act-sf.org. Groups of 15 or more people are eligible for discounts; please call Edward Budworth at 415.439.2473.

Sponsored by Bank of the West, a Bring What You Can/Pay What You Wish performance will be held on Thursday, October 30, 2008, at 8 p.m. Patrons will be allowed to pay any amount for tickets when they bring a donation of children’s books, diapers, or coffee beans to benefit Raphael House, a shelter and support program for homeless families in San Francisco’s Tenderloin District. Patrons are limited.

Photo Credit Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.

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