The Circle at ACT with Widdoes Begins Jan.4, Open Jan.10

W. Somerset Maugham's most popular comedy, The Circle, a wise and witty satire concerning marriage, infidelity, and the battle between passion and practicality, plays American Conservatory Theater January 4 through February 4. Opening night is Wednesday, January 10 at 8PM.

One of the most successful writers of the 20th century, Maugham earned early fame with a series of wildly popular plays that focused on strong, articulate female characters whose actions expose the double standards that exist between the sexes. The Circle is ACT's first Maugham work since The Constant Wife in the 2002-03 season, one of the most critically acclaimed and best-selling productions in the company's history. At ACT, The Circle will be staged by Tony Award nominee Mark Lamos, whose last production with ACT was the stirring and erotic reimagining of Christopher Marlowe's Edward II.

"First produced in 1921 and in 1998 named among the 100 most significant plays of the 20th century in a National Theatre poll, The Circle captures the poise of high society in the 1920s," states press notes, "Thirty years before, the fresh-faced and vivacious Lady Kitty abandoned both her politician husband and her young son Arnold for a scandalous life with her husband's best friend, Lord Porteous. Three decades later, the still vivacious though not as fresh-faced Kitty returns to confront the family she long-ago abandoned, and a new scandal when a charming houseguest threatens to take Arnold's own wife, Elizabeth, from him. Will the new couple be influenced by Kitty's wicked example? Or will practicality trump passion once and for all?"

The Circle stars Broadway veteran Kathleen Widdoes as Lady Kitty. Last seen at ACT The Rose Tattoo, Widdoes's Broadway credits include After the Ball, Hamlet, Brighton Beach Memoirs, The Importance of Being Earnest, and Much Ado about Nothing (Tony Award nomination for best actress). Ken Ruta, a 40-year veteran of Bay Area stages, portrays Kitty's insufferable second husband, Lord Porteous. James Waterston makes his ACT debut as Kitty's son, Arnold. ACT core company actor Allison Jean White portrays Arnold's fiancée Elizabeth. Phillip Kerr portrays Kitty's estranged former husband Clive. Craig W. Marker joins Waterston in making his ACT debut. Portraying Elizabeth's lover, Teddie. Trish Mulholland portrays houseguest Mrs. Anna Shenstone, while Tom Blair plays the butler.

The design team for The Circle includes Tony Award-winning set designer John Arnone, costume designer Candice Donnelly, lighting designer York Kennedy, and sound designer Jeff Mockus.

Tickets ($13.50 - $81.50) can be purchased at ACT Ticket Services, located at 405 Geary Street, 415-749-2228; or via the A.C.T. website, www.act-sf.org. Groups of 15 or more people are eligible for discounts; please call 415-439-2473.

Performance times: Tuesdays – Saturdays at 8PM (except Jan. 16 at 7PM); Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 2PM (except no matinees on Jan. 10 & 24) with an additional performance Sunday, Jan. 14.