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The Government Inspector

March 20–April 20, 2008

The Government Inspector by Nikolai Gogol
Translated and adapted by Alistair Beaton
Directed by Carey Perloff

One part political parody, one part
Waiting for Guffman, and scathingly funny through and through.


This famous ensemble comedy by Nikolai Gogol (A.C.T.'s The Overcoat) plays out in a backwater Russian village, where government leaders and local cronies are willing to give a visiting official money, women, and whatever else he wants—just as long as he gives them a good report. But are they even greasing the right man's palms? Packed with sizzling scandal, local flavor, and politicians behaving very, very badly, The Government Inspector could easily be set in Anytown, USA.

"A large cast of first-rate Bay Area comic actors"
San Francisco Chronicle

"A tribute to the pure joy and exuberance of theater . . . excellent comic actors"
Contra Costa Times

"A bundle of laughs with plenty of slapstick fun"
KGO Radio

Made possible by
Bank of the West

Koret Prologue*
March 25, 5:30 p.m.
Get inside the artistic process—come early for a preperformance discussion with director Carey Perloff and other members of the artistic staff.

Koret Audience Exchanges*
April 1, 7 p.m.
April 6, 2 p.m.
April 16, 2 p.m.
After the show, stick around for a lively Q&A session with the actors of The Government Inspector, moderated by a member of the A.C.T. artistic staff.

OUT with A.C.T.
April 2, 8 p.m.
LGBT night after a performance of The Government Inspector features a catered afterparty and a cast meet and greet. Visit www.act-sf.org/out for more information about OUT nights.

ASL–Interpreted Performance
April 12, 2 p.m.
This performance will be interpreted by Stage Hands of the Bay Area, a partnership founded by Charlotte Toothman and Joe Quinn. Tickets are available through the A.C.T. TTY line at 415.749.2370 or by voice at 415.749.2ACT. Tickets are $22 each, plus service fees, for each deaf patron and one guest. Sorry, ASL seating is not available online.

*Discussions immediately follow the designated performance and are free for ticket holders. Please note that performance times vary.

Cast

Raife Baker*
(Constable, Mishka)

Graham Beckel
(The Mayor)

Anthony Fusco
(Postmaster)

Rod Gnapp
(Commissioner of Health)

Dan Hiatt
(Magistrate)

Geoff Hoyle
(Dobchinsky)

Andrew Hurteau
(Superintendent, Waiter)

Sharon Lockwood
(Anna)

Delia MacDougall
(Director of Education)

 

Joan Mankin
(Bobchinsky)

Reed Martin
(Ensemble)

Alex Morf*
(Abdulin)

Anthony Nemirovsky
(Ensemble)

Amanda Sykes*
(Marya)

Shannon Taing*
(Avdotya)

Stephen Barker Turner
(Doctor)

Gregory Wallace
(Khlestakov)

Jud Williford
(Osip)

* Member of the A.C.T. Master of Fine Arts Program class of 2008

Creative Team

Nikolai Gogol (Author)
Alistair Beaton (Translator and Adaptor)
Carey Perloff (Director)
Erik Flatmo (Scenic Designer)
Beaver Bauer (Costume Designer)
Alexander V. Nichols (Lighting Designer)
Darron L. West (Sound Designer)
Michael Paller (Dramaturg)
Meryl Lind Shaw (Casting Director)
Joseph Smelser (Stage Manager)
Danielle Callaghan (Assistant Stage Manager)
Burt and Deedee McMurtry (Executive Producers)
Mrs. Albert J. (Bette) Moorman (Executive Producer)

Words on Plays

Insight into the Play, the Playwright, and the Production

Each entertaining and informative issue of Words on Plays, A.C.T.'s in-depth performance guide series, contains a synopsis, advance program notes, study questions, and additional background information about the historical and cultural context of the play.

Words on Plays is available for purchase in the lobby of the theater during performances or online ($12 each + postage and handling). To subscribe to the full season ($70), call 415.749.2250.

The Government Inspector

Words on Plays Prepared by
Elizabeth Brodersen, Publications Editor
Michael Paller, Resident Dramaturg
Margot Melcon, Publications & Literary Associate
Ariel Franklin-Hudson, Publications & Literary Intern

Table of Contents

1. Characters, Cast, and Synopsis of The Government Inspector
6. Director Carey Perloff on The Government Inspector
13. About the Playwright
17. The Author of Comedy
by Jan Kott
18. Gogol and The Government Inspector (click to view excerpt)
by Michael Paller
27. Some Context and Historical Background
by Michael Paller
37. Gogol's Russia
by Marquis Astolphe de Custine
40. The Russian Table of Ranks
41. A Government Inspector Miscellany
45. Introduction to The Government Inspector
by Alistair Beaton
47. Gogolwhack Adventures
by David Farr and Alistair Beaton
51. Questions to Consider
52. For Further Information . . .

Words on Plays is made possible in part by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

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Production Photos

Production PhotosView production photos from The Government Inspector at A.C.T. All photos by Kevin Berne.


Costume Renderings

Costume Design SketchesView original costume design renderings for The Government Inspector by Beaver Bauer.
All costume sketches © 2008 D. B. Bauer.


In the News

Keith Olbermann outs the Justice Department's Inspector General, who recently admitted that the government-wide terrorism watch-list is filled with "incomplete, inaccurate, and outdated information" about innocent people.

Countdown with Keith Olbermann at msnbc.com
> Watch Online

NPR recently featured a segment on All Things Considered about New Orleans' first inspector general. Catch this amusing on-the-go interview with Robert Cerasoli as he sets out to uncover corruption in one of America's largest cities.

Rooting Out New Orleans Corruption with Few Tools by Carrie Kahn
> Listen Online


Press Releases

Press Room

A.C.T. Rounds Up Area's Finest Comic Actors for The Government Inspector
February 25, 2008

Reviews and Other Press

A.C.T.'s 'Government Inspector' is light and lively
Pat Craig, Contra Costa Times

Inspector General – Insanely Funny
Lee Hartgrave, Beyond Chron





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