San Francisco Mime Troupe Presents 2012 – THE MUSICAL, 7/4-9/5

WHAT:
The Tony Award-winning San Francisco Mime Troupe opens its 52nd season with 2012 - THE MUSICAL! A small political theater company, Theater BAM!, finds itself at a crossroads: should they keep telling the stories they feel can change the world (and starve while telling them), or feed at the corporate trough, sell out, and be the mouthpiece for The Man. Tough decision. But before having to make it, they are offered an artistic commission that may save the company; all they have to do is create a new play, "2012 - The Musical!" But is it political? Will it keep with the company's original mission? And who's really bankrolling the production?

One person who is not thrilled with BAM!'s apparent good fortune is Susi, a successful accountant doing pro bono work for the company. She has been trying for years to get her sister, BAM! artistic director Elaine, to give up the not-for-profit insanity and get right with The Market, but Elaine's passionate protégé, Leon, is always there to argue for revolution, and from Susi's point of view, starvation. But as BAM! begins to work on the new show, Leon isn't the only one with questions: Is it better to be a little capitalist and alive, or Red and dead? Is it possible to sell out just a "little bit"? And what the heck is "2012 - The Musical!" anyway?

Wilma Bonet directs Lizzie Calogero, Keiko Shimosato Carreiro, Cory Censoprano, Siobhan Marie Doherty, Michael Gene Sullivan, and Victor Toman in this musical satire about artistic integrity, written by Michael Gene Sullivan, with additional dialogue by Ellen Callas, music and lyrics by Bruce Barthol, and musical direction and additional lyrics by Pat Moran.

The San Francisco Mime Troupe creates and produces socially relevant theater; their work is political satire and anything but silent. The Mime Troupe creates plays that make sense out of the headlines, close-up stories that make audiences feel the impact of political events on their personal lives. To make this work accessible to the broadest audience possible, the Mime Troupe performs at a price everyone can afford: free.

SCHEDULE:
Preview performance: Saturday, June 18, San Geronimo Valley Community Center
6350 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, San Geronimo, 3:30 music, 4pm show

SAN FRANCISCO:
Saturday, July 2, Dolores Park, 1:30 music, 2pm show
Sunday, July 3, Dolores Park, 1:30 music, 2pm show
Monday, July 4, Dolores Park, 1:30 music, 2pm show- OPENING DAY
Saturday, August 6, Peacock Meadow, Golden Gate Park, 1:30 music, 2pm show
Sunday, August 7, Glen Park, 1:30 music, 2pm show
Saturday, August 20, Washington Square Park, 1:30 music, 2pm show
Sunday, August 21, Yerba Buena Gardens, 1:30 music, 2pm show
Saturday, September 3, Dolores Park, 1:30 music, 2pm show
Sunday, September 4 Dolores Park, 1:30 music, 2pm show
Monday, September 5, Dolores Park, 1:30 music, 2pm show - ASL interpreter on site

TICKETS:
All shows are free and open to the public (unless otherwise noted); additional performances will be held in the East Bay, North Bay, on the Peninsula, and beyond. For more information and a complete performance schedule, the public may call 415.285.1717 or visit www.sfmt.org.

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