Thank you to all of our incredible
Tales fans, near and far!
After an unprecedented run (including three extensions),
the show closed on July 31.
And there's more great theater in store! We invite you to come back for our tantalizing 2011–12 season. A.C.T. subscribers get the best seats at the best prices—click here to find out how.
Libretto by Jeff Whitty Music and lyrics by Jake Shears and John Garden
Based on Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City and More Tales of the City
Choreography by Larry Keigwin
Directed by Jason Moore
On the bustling streets of 1970s San Francisco, neon lights pierce through the fog-drenched skies, disco music explodes from crowded nightclubs, and a wide-eyed Midwestern girl finds a new home—and creates a new kind of family—with the characters at 28 Barbary Lane.
Three decades after Armistead Maupin mesmerized millions with his daily column in the city's newspapers, his iconic San Francisco saga comes home as a momentous new musical. Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City unleashes an exuberant celebration of the irrepressible spirit that continues to define our City by the Bay.
Please be advised: This production contains brief nudity, drug use, adult situations, and disco lights. Parental guidance is suggested.
"Sparkling . . . instantly addictive"
—San Jose Mercury News
"Tantalizing . . . [a] celebration of sex, love, and all kinds of coming out" —San Francisco Chronicle
"Crisp and witty . . . [with a] richly
talented cast" —TheaterMania
"It's as if you had been to a happening party and met lots of fabulous people"
—The New York Times
"Radiates real joy" —SF Weekly
"Delicious . . . out-and-out good, rousing fun" —The Examiner
"This shining, shimmering A.C.T. musical delivers on every front."
—CBS San Francisco
"Joyous . . . a major aligning of the musical theater stars" —SFist
"A home-turf hit . . . playful yet heartfelt" —Variety
"Exuberantly captures the sweeping current
of transformation in Maupin's work . . . a happy blur
of flares, gay saunas, and bongs" —The Guardian (UK)
"Whether you are a Mona or a Mary Ann, a Mouse or a Mrs. Madrigal, this show illuminates the colorful, crazy, complicated, wild times of our fabulous city. A gift to San Francisco and all of us who love it!"
—Jan Wahl, KCBS/KRON-TV
Running time: 2 hours and 50 minutes, including one 20-minute intermission.
Click here to download the performance program (PDF).
Events & Offers
Prologue*
May 24, 5:30 p.m.
Get inside the artistic process—come early for a preperformance discussion with director Jason Moore and a member of the A.C.T. artistic staff.
Theater on the Couch*
June 3, 8 p.m.
Get psyched after a performance of Tales of the City as members of the San Francisco Center for Psychoanalysis explore the minds, motives, and behaviors of the characters.
Audience Exchanges*
June 7, at 7 p.m., June 12, at 2 p.m., and June 15, at 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.
OUT with A.C.T.
June 8, 8 p.m.
The best LGBT night in town! Mingle with the cast of Tales of the City and enjoy drinks and treats at this popular afterparty.
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SF Weekly presents Tuesdays at Tales
June 28, 7 p.m.
July 5, 7 p.m.
July 12, 7 p.m.
The action starts at 7 p.m. in the third-floor Sky Bar. Dress up and boogie down at '70s Night (June 28), dive into the best LGBT party in town at OUT with A.C.T. (July 5), and pair your high heels with happy-hour cocktails at Drag Night (July 12). Enjoy sizzling drink specials, groovy music, and a chance to win spectacular prizes!
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ASL–Interpreted Performance
July 23, 2 p.m.
Experience Tales of the City interpreted through American Sign Language at this special performance. Use code TALESASL when ordering for tickets reserved in the ASL section. Interpreting services provided by Stage Hands.
Fairmont Hotel Tales of the City Package
The Fairmont San Francisco has partnered with A.C.T. to create an exclusive package for Tales of the City patrons. Enjoy luxurious accommodations at a special price! Make a reservation today.
*Discussions are free for ticket holders. Please note that performance times vary.
Production Photos
Click to view larger images from Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City at A.C.T.
Insight into the Play, the Playwright, and the Production
This special collector's edition of Words on Plays, A.C.T.'s in-depth performance guide series, explores the process of creating an original musical from Armistead Maupin's beloved Tales of the City series. It features in-depth interviews with originators of the musical—Jeff Whitty, Jake Shears, John Garden, and Jason Moore—as well as the scenic and costume designers—and Maupin himself!
Words on Plays is available for purchase in the lobby of the theater during performances or online. Click here to purchase a beautifully bound print edition ($15 each + postage and handling), or click here for the full color electronic edition ($5 each).
Words on Plays Prepared by
Elizabeth Brodersen, Publications Editor
Dan Rubin, Publications & Literary Associate
Michael Paller, Resident Dramaturg
Emily Hoffman, Publications Fellow
Zachary Moull, Dramaturgy Fellow
Table of Contents
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1.
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Characters and Cast of Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City: A New Musical
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2.
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Finding Atlantis: An Interview with the Creators of Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City: A New Musical (click to view excerpt)
by Elizabeth Brodersen
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18.
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Director Jason Moore on Tales of the City: Excerpts from Remarks Made to A.C.T. Cast, Creative Team, Staff, and Donors, April 11, 2011
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20.
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Building 28 Barbary Lane: An Interview with Scenic Designer Douglas W. Schmidt
by Zachary Moull
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27.
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"Mysteriously Garbed As a Nun": An Interview with Costume Designer Beaver Bauer
by Zachary Moull
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34.
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A Long Way to Travel: Armistead Maupin's Journey to Himself
by Michael Paller
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43.
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The Tapestry of Humanity: Armistead Maupin and the Gay Literary Tradition
by Emily Hoffman
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49.
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A City of "Mysterious and Magnificent Personality": San Francisco in 1976 (and Before) (click to view excerpt)
by Dan Rubin
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60.
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The Lost City of Atlantis
by Dan Rubin
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64.
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A Tales of the City Timeline: 1976–77
(click to view excerpt)
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67.
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A Guide to People, Places, Drugs, and Other Miscellanea Found in Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City: A New Musical
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82.
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For Further Information . . .
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On the A.C.T. Blog
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Building a City: a behind-the-scenes look at the construction of the Tales of the City set
Friday, June 10, 2011
Tales of the . . . Cast! Meet Patrick Lane
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Tales of the . . . Cast! Meet Alex Hsu
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Tales of the . . . Cast! Meet Manoel Felciano
Monday, June 6, 2011
Tales of the . . . Cast! Meet Mary Birdsong
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Tales of the . . . Cast! Meet Diane J. Findlay
Friday, May 27, 2011
Tales of the . . . Cast! Meet Andrew Samonsky
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Tales of the . . . Cast! Meet Kathleen Elizabeth Monteleone
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Tales of the . . . Cast! Meet Richard Poe
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Tales of the . . . Cast! Meet Josh Breckenridge
Monday, May 23, 2011
Tales of the . . . Cast! Meet Wesley Taylor
Friday, May 20, 2011
Tales of the . . . Cast! Meet Betsy Wolfe
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Tales of the . . . Cast! Meet Judy Kaye
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Tales from the rehearsal room: Mary Birdsong
Tales of the City Merchandise
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Take home a souvenir from Barbary Lane!
Commemorate this landmark theatrical event with exclusive items celebrating the world premiere production. From t-shirts and posters to condoms and rolling papers, we have something for every Tales lover.
Visit our display in the theater lobby. Merchandise is also available at the A.C.T. Box Office during regular business hours.
Just in: a special hardcover edition of the original Tales of the City novel. Quantities are limited—grab yours today!
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Reviews and Other Press
Video: CBS San Francisco reviews Tales of the City
CBS San Francisco
Review: A sparkling Tales of the City
Karen D'Souza, San Jose Mercury News
Tales of the City: A.C.T. puts on final touches
Steven Winn, San Francisco Chronicle
Tales of Maupin, This Time with Music
Jesse McKinley, The New York Times
Judy Kaye takes role of Mrs. Madrigal in Tales
Leba Hertz, San Francisco Chronicle
Tales Spinning
Jason Lamphier, The Advocate
Tales of the City a San Francisco Treat
Greg Archer, San Francisco Examiner
Armistead Maupin's Tales have changed lives
Julian Guthrie, San Francisco Chronicle
Barbary Lane's Creator Looks Back on a Golden Age
Laura Miller, The Bay Citizen/The New York Times
Creative Team Has High Hopes for Musical Version of Tales of the City
Karen D'Souza, San Jose Mercury News
Scissor Sisters' Jake Shears Honored to Write Tales of the City Musical
Matthew Perpetua, Rolling Stone
Hot List: Tales of the City
OUT Magazine
Scissor Sisters' Jake Shears and John Garden Talk About Musicalizing Tales of the City
Adam Hetrick, Playbill.com
Tales of the City on Stage
Michael Krasny, KQED Radio
Armistead Maupin: A Tale of a New City
Tim Parks, Rage Magazine
Songs of the City: Tales of the City Comes Back to San Francisco—as a Musical
Chad Jones, Theatre Bay Area
Tales of the City Musical Will Star Judy Kaye, Betsy Wolfe, Mary Birdsong, and Wesley Taylor
Adam Hetrick, Playbill.com
Telling Tales for the Musical Stage
Geoffrey A. Fowler, The Wall Street Journal
Press Releases
Record-breaking Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City to Close July 31!
July 14, 2011
Until There's A Cure Foundation to Raise Funds at A.C.T.'s Armistead Maupin's Tales of The City
June 24, 2011
Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City Extends Again Through July 31!
June 21, 2011
Olympia Dukakis, the Original Anna Madrigal, to Host Tales of The City Benefit on June 24
June 8, 2011
Opening Night Gala for Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City Raises $950,000 for A.C.T.
June 7, 2011
Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City Extends Through July 24 Due To Unprecedented Demand!
June 2, 2011
Full Cast Announced for the A.C.T. World Premiere Production of Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City
March 18, 2011
Opening Night Gala for Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City
March 1, 2011
Armistead Maupin's Tales Of The City Extends Through July 3!
February 7, 2011
Flash Sale Announced for A.C.T.'s Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City
November 30, 2010
Cast Announced for Workshop of Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City at A.C.T.
September 30, 2010
A.C.T.'s 2010–11 Season Spins Fantastic Tales
March 26, 2010
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