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
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.
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.
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
Words on Plays is made possible in part by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
Adobe Reader is required to view A.C.T. publications.

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