American Conservatory Theater: The Quality of Life

The Quality of Life

October 24–November 23, 2008

Written and directed by Jane Anderson

Produced in association with the Geffen Playhouse and Jonathan Reinis Productions

Running time: 2 hours

A daring, star-studded cast explores hot-button issues of life and death in this riveting new tour-de-force, featuring Laurie Metcalf (Desperate Housewives, Roseanne), JoBeth Williams (Poltergeist, The Big Chill), Steven Culp (A.C.T.'s Blackbird), and two-time OBIE Award winner Dennis Boutsikaris. When a religious Midwestern couple, Bill and Dinah, visit free-spirited cousin Jeannette and her husband, Neil, in their Northern California home, both couples confront loss and survival in the face of explosive circumstance.

An unforgettable, brave work of heart and humor by Emmy Award–winning playwright-director Jane Anderson, The Quality of Life is winner of three 2008 LA Stage Alliance Ovation Awards, including Best Play, Best Playwright, and Best Lead Actress (Laurie Metcalf). It was also nominated for four 2007 Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards.

"Tremendous! It entertains, amuses, compels, makes the audience think, feel, laugh, weep. That is theater." —San Francisco Examiner

"A magnetic work of theater. Very funny . . . astounding performances!" —San Francisco Chronicle

"Thoroughly captivating. Beautifully directed . . . wonderfully engaging characters" —Contra Costa Times

"Radiant! One of the most emotionally acute productions of the fall season" —San Jose Mercury News

"Highest rating! Crackling, fast-moving! A powerful play that touches every emotion in the book . . . as passionate and profound as you're likely to see on any stage." —BeyondChron.com

"Touching and thought-provoking . . . skillfully crafted" —San Francisco Bay Times

"A dream cast!" —Los Angeles City Beat

"When I see a production as beautifully written, directed, and performed as The Quality of Life, I thank my lucky stars." —LAStageScene.com

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Koret Prologue*
October 28, 5:30 p.m.
Get inside the artistic process—come early for a preperformance discussion with the director and a member of the A.C.T. artistic staff.

OUT with A.C.T.
November 5, 8 p.m.
LGBT night at A.C.T. features a catered afterparty and a cast meet and greet. Visit www.act-sf.org/out for more information about how to subscribe to OUT nights.

Theater on the Couch*
November 7, 8 p.m.
Join members of the San Francisco Center for Psychoanalysis for an exciting postperformance discussion that explores the psychological aspects of the show and addresses audience questions.

Koret Audience Exchanges*
November 11, 7 p.m.
November 16, 2 p.m.
November 19, 2 p.m.
After the show, stick around for a lively Q&A session with the actors, moderated by a member of the A.C.T. artistic staff.

*Discussions are free for ticket holders. Please note that performance times vary.

Cast

Laurie Metcalf
(Jeannette)

Steven Culp
(Bill)

Dennis Boutsikaris
(Neil)

JoBeth Williams
(Dinah)

Creative Team

Jane Anderson (Playwright and Director)
Donald Eastman (Scenic Designer)
Lydia Tanji (Costume Designer)
Kent Dorsey (Lighting Designer)
Richard Woodbury (Sound Designer)
Michael Paller (Dramaturg)
Meryl Lind Shaw (A.C.T. Casting Director)
Elisa Guthertz (Stage Manager)
Heath Belden ( Assistant Stage Manager)
Jonathan Reinis (Producer)
The Geffen Playhouse (Producer)
Mort and Frannie Fleishhacker (Executive Producers)

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
Dan Rubin, Publications & Literary Associate
Lesley Gibson, Publications & Literary Intern

Table of Contents

1.	Characters, Cast, and Synopsis of The Quality of Life
6.	The Quality of Life Meet and Greet / Design Presentation
10.	Muse of Fire: An Interview with Jane Anderson by Dan Rubin
19.	Joyously Sharing the Burden of Grief: Interviews with the A.C.T. Cast (click to view excerpt) by Dan Rubin
28.	The Innate Power of Nature, Light, and Air: Designing The Quality of Life (click to view excerpt) by Lesley Gibson
36.	The Law of Assisted Dying by Dan Rubin
40.	"Off-Time" Widowhood by Dan Rubin
43.	Wedding Night by Jalaluddin Rumi
44.	"Because It's Illegal": An Overview of the Evolution of Medical Marijuana Law by Lesley Gibson
49.	Fire Stories (click to view excerpt)
58.	Questions to Consider
59.	For Further Information . . .