Margo Seibert & Zak Resnick to Lead Jason Robert Brown's THE LAST FIVE YEARS in San Francisco

Following the wildly successful concert version at The Geary Theater in spring 2015, American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) will present a brand-new, fully staged production of Jason Robert Brown's acclaimed musical, The Last Five Years (May 11-June 5, 2016).

Under the direction of Michael Berresse (The Normal Heart at A.C.T.; A Chorus Line, The Light in the Piazza, and Kiss Me, Kate on Broadway), The Last Five Years stars Margo Seibert (Rocky on Broadway, Tamar of the River at Prospect Theater Company) as Cathy and Zak Resnick (Mamma Mia on Broadway, Once Upon a Mattress at Transport Group) as Jamie.

Jason Robert Brown, the Tony Award-winning composer of Parade and Honeymoon in Vegas, brings us this powerful and intimate musical about two twentysomething New Yorkers-struggling actress Cathy and rising novelist Jamie-who dive headfirst into a marriage fueled by the optimism that comes from finding "the one." From one of the most imaginative voices in musical theater, the musical features a unique structure in which Cathy's journey is sung from ending to beginning, and Jamie's from beginning to end. The lovers' individual accounts reveal that, in a city where professional and personal passions collide, navigating the waters of love and matrimony can prove daunting. Packed with humor, ravishing romance, and an exuberant score, The Last Five Years takes an unforgettable look at the hope that love will endure the test of time. Press night will be held on Wednesday, May 18, 2016. Single tickets (ranging from $20-$105) are available at the A.C.T. Box Office at 415.749.2228 or online at www.act-sf.org. Ticket prices are subject to change without notice.

Says A.C.T. Artistic Director Carey Perloff: "From the moment Jason Robert Brown's subtle, sensual, and surprising music filled The Geary Theater last spring during our concert presentation of The Last Five Years, we longed to realize this beautiful piece in a fully mounted production. We turned immediately to actor, singer, musician, and director Michael Berresse, an artist we knew would plumb the depths of this delicious and heartbreaking love story, and honor its magical prowess as well. His vision for the piece is so expansive and so fresh, I think it will introduce a whole new audience to this major miniature musical."

Adds Berresse: "I always find it surprising when the success of a marriage or romance is measured by its longevity or ultimate outcome. Of course it's just never that simple. Jason Robert Brown's beautifully unique, deeply personal, and entirely remarkable work, The Last Five Years, is a chance to celebrate the whole gloriously complex gamut of what it means to fall in love, for poorer and I believe ultimately always for richer. To present this amazing score on A.C.T.'s Geary stage with this cast is a dream."

The creative team for The Last Five Years includes Matt Castle (Music Director), Robert Wierzel (Lighting Designer), Callie Floor (Costume Designer), Tim Mackabee (Set Designer), and Kai Harada (Sound Designer).

In connection with The Last Five Years, A.C.T. will offer numerous InterACT events-many of which are presented free of charge-that will give patrons opportunities to get closer to the action while having an entire night out at the theater. Visit act-sf.org/interact to learn more about subscribing to these events throughout the season:

• Bike to the Theater Night:
  Wednesday, May 11, 7 p.m.
  Providing a greener alternative to theater transportation, A.C.T. and the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition offer free valet bike parking, as well as a special discount on tickets, for these select performances.
• Prologue:
  Tuesday, May 17, 5:30 p.m.
  Before the curtain goes up, get a sneak peek at the artistic process at this fascinating preshow discussion with the director and artistic staff.
• Theater on the Couch:
  Friday, May 20, following the 8 p.m. performance
  Led by Dr. Mason Turner, chief of psychiatry at San Francisco's Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, this exciting postshow discussion series addresses audience questions and explores the minds, motives, and behavior of the characters.
• Audience Exchanges:
  Tue., May 24, 7 p.m. | Sun., May 29, 2 p.m. | Wed., June 1, 2 p.m.
  After the show, stick around for a lively Q&A session with the actors and artists who create the work onstage.
• OUT with A.C.T.
  Wednesday, May 25, following the 8 p.m. performance
  The best LGBT night in town! Mingle with the cast and enjoy free drinks and treats at this popular after-party.
• Wente Vineyards Wine Series:
  Tuesday, May 31, 7 p.m.
  Before the show, raise a glass at this wine-tasting event featuring the Bay Area's hottest local winery.
• PlayTime:
  Saturday, June 4, 12:45 p.m.
  Before this matinee performance, get hands-on with the artists who make it happen at this interactive theater workshop.

A.C.T.'s production of The Last Five Years is made possible by executive producers Sarah and Tony Earley, Kevin and Celeste Ford, John Little and Heather Stallings Little, Mary and Steven Swig; producers Carlotta and Robert Dathe, Marcia and Jim Levy, Robina and John Riccitiello, Sally and Toby Rosenblatt, Kathleen Scutchfield, Ruth and Alan L. Stein; and associate producers Arnie and Shelly Glassberg, Drs. Michael and Jane Marmor, Milton Mosk and Thomas Foutch, with additional support by Campari, Hafner Vineyard, and Inspiration Vineyard. The Last Five Years is sponsored by Wells Fargo.

A.C.T. would also like to acknowledge its 2015-16 company sponsors Frannie Fleishhacker; Priscilla and Keith Geeslin; Jeri Lynn and Jeffrey W. Johnson; Fred M. Levin and Nancy Livingston, The Shenson Foundation; Burt and Deedee McMurtry; Barbara Ravizza and John S. Osterweis; Arthur Rock and Toni Rembe, and Hilary Valentine and Don Listwin, as well as season partners Wells Fargo and PG&E.

Up next, A.C.T. presents the Northern California premiere of the award-winning solo musical, The Lion (April 19-May 1, 2016) at A.C.T.'s Strand Theater. In May, A.C.T. favorite and Academy Award nominee David Strathairn and lauded Bay Area actor Dan Clegg return to A.C.T. for a special three-week engagement of Joseph Dougherty's Chester Bailey (May 25-June 12, 2016) at The Strand Theater.
# # # FACT SHEET FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS WHAT:
Tony Award-winning composer of Parade and Honeymoon in Vegas, Jason Robert Brown, brings us this powerful and intimate musical about two twentysomething New Yorkers-struggling actress Cathy and rising novelist Jamie-who dive headfirst into a marriage fueled by the optimism that comes from finding "the one." From one of the most imaginative voices in musical theater, the musical features a unique structure in which Cathy's journey is sung from ending to beginning, and Jamie's from beginning to end. The lovers' individual accounts reveal that, in a city where professional and personal passions collide, navigating the waters of love and matrimony can prove daunting. Packed with humor, ravishing romance, and an exuberant score, The Last Five Years takes an unforgettable look at the hope that love will endure the test of time.

WHO:
Written and Composed by: Jason Robert Brown
Directed by: Michael Berresse

CAST:
Margo Seibert (Cathy) and Zak Resnick (Jamie)

CREATIVE TEAM:
Matt Castle (Music Director), Robert Wierzel (Lighting Designer), Callie Floor (Costume Designer), Tim Mackabee (Set Designer), and Kai Harada (Sound Designer)

WHERE:
A.C.T.'s Geary Theater (415 Geary St., San Francisco)

WHEN:
May 11-June 5, 2016
Press Night: Wednesday, May 18, 2016

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:
Tuesdays-Saturdays at 8 p.m. (performance on Tuesday, May 24 at 7 p.m.)
Wednesdays and Saturdays at 2 p.m.
Sundays at 2 (performances on Sunday, May 15 at 2 & 7 p.m.)

InterACT Events
Bike to the Theater Night: May 11 (7 p.m.)
Audience Prologue: May 17 (5:30 p.m.)
Theater on the Couch: May 20 (8 p.m.)
Audience Exchanges: May 24 (7 p.m.), May 29 (2 p.m.), June 1 (2 p.m.)
OUT with A.C.T.: May 25 (8 p.m.)
Wine Series: May 31 (7 p.m.)
PlayTime: June 4 (12:45 p.m.)

TICKETS:
$20-$105
Ticket prices are subject to change without notice

TIX & INFO:
415.749.2228 | www.act-sf.org

PRESS:
Kevin Kopjak, Charles Zukow Associates, 415.296.0677 or kevink@charleszukow.com Want to change how you receive these emails?
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