As silent films evolve into "talkies" in the 1920s, a trio of vaudevillians sets out to con the Hollywood elite by posing as vocal coaches—vowing to give movie stars beautiful voices to match their glamorous mugs. Incorporating period film clips and innovative digital backdrops that meld the worlds of theater and film in exciting ways, this hilarious backstage comedy will redefine your experience with "moving pictures." From the legendary team behind the hits The Man Who Came to Dinner and You Can't Take It With You, Once in a Lifetime serves up rip-roaring fun for the entire family.
Click here to download the performance program (PDF).
"Dazzling! This is THE stage play of the year. No wonder it's called Once in a Lifetime!" —BeyondChron
"A wild, wacky ride through early Hollywood" —Jan Wahl, KCBS
"Charming! Irresistible! A vintage comedy [with] wisecracking smarts." —San Francisco Chronicle
"A play that only American Conservatory Theater could do. And I mean really do—the way it should be done." —Chad Jones, theaterdogs
"Pure Hollywood magic . . . brilliant sets and sensational acting" —BeyondChron
"A smart and spiffy revival . . . lively, clever, and delightful" —SFist
"A true delight! Hooray for Hollywood, and hooray for American Conservatory Theater's smart new production." —Aisle Say
"A delicious Hollywood sendup . . . [filled with] wisecracking comic style" —The New York Times
"A sparkling spoof of Hollywood" —Variety
"A tinseltown satire [with] bite" —Newsday
InterACT Events
Splashy parties, lively discussions, and more—all free with your ticket.*
Silent Film Postshow Discussion
September 23, 8 p.m.
Join us after the show for a fascinating discussion with San Francisco Silent Film Festival Artistic Director Anita Monga and Once in a Lifetime director Mark Rucker.
Silent Film Fridays (in collaboration with San Francisco Silent Film Festival)
September 30, 7:15 p.m.
October 7, 7:15 p.m.
October 14, 7:15 p.m.
Step inside the intriguing world of silent film! Experience classic silent film shorts projected on a screen in the theater before the show. Admission is free with your ticket to that night's performance. The bars will open early, and you can bring your drinks into the theater.
Prologue
September 27, 5:30 p.m.
Get inside the artistic process at this lively preshow discussion with the director and A.C.T. artistic staff.
Audience Exchanges
October 4, 7 p.m.
October 9, 2 p.m.
October 12, 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.
October 5, 8 p.m.
The best LGBT night in town! Mingle with the cast and enjoy free drinks and treats at this popular afterparty. Visit www.act-sf.org/out for information about how to subscribe to OUT nights throughout the season.
A.C.T. Family Series
October 8, 2 p.m.
A new theater experience for young adults and their families! This four-play subscription series features fun, hands-on workshops before a Saturday matinee performance of each production. For this workshop, which begins at 1 p.m., costume design assistant Jessie Amoroso demonstrates the art of the quick-change. Fifteen actors wear more than 100 costumes during each performance of Once in a Lifetime (with only seconds to change!). From snaps and buttons to twists and turns, Amoroso will show you how these fast-paced costume changes happen backstage—and may invite brave participants to give it a try! Click here to learn more about A.C.T.'s Family Series.
*Most events are free for ticket holders. Please note that performance times vary.
Silent Film Fridays
Step inside the intriguing world of silent film! Experience classic silent film shorts—specially selected by the San Francisco Silent Film Festival—projected on a screen in the theater before the show. Admission is free with your ticket to that night's performance. The bars will open early, and you can bring your drinks into the theater.
September 30, 7:15 p.m.
The Cameraman's Revenge and Life and Death of 9413, A Hollywood Extra
October 7, 7:15 p.m.
Arthéme Swallows His Clarinet and The Playhouse
October 14, 7:15 p.m.
Those Awful Hats, The Thieving Hand, and A Trip to the Moon
Click here for more information about the silent film festival, which takes place in San Francisco each March. Want to learn more? Check out our Facebook page for posts of selected film clips leading up to opening night!
All films will feature music recorded by Alloy Orchestra.
Production Photos
Click to view larger images from Once in a Lifetime at A.C.T.
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 or $5 each for the electronic edition). For more information about how to subscribe to a full or partial season, click here.
Words on Plays Prepared by
Elizabeth Brodersen, Director of Education
Dan Rubin, Publications Manager
Michael Paller, Resident Dramaturg
Emily Hoffman, Publications and Dramaturgy Associate
Amy Krivohlavek, Marketing Writer
Zachary Moull, Dramaturgy Fellow
Table of Contents
Adobe Reader is required to view A.C.T. publications.
Costume Sketches for Once in a Lifetime
Set in 1928 in the glitzy world of Hollywood, Once in a Lifetime features a wealth of brilliant and head-turning costumes, from flapper dresses to well-fitted period men’s suits, as well as some spectacularly over-the-top outfits (for the film-within-the-play) thrown in for good measure. With 15 actors playing more than 70 characters, costume designer Alex Jaeger had his work cut out for him—as do the actors, who will be performing an elaborate choreography of wardrobe changes just offstage. Below is a selection of sketches from the more than 100 costumes that will be featured in the show.
Click on the images below to view the full costume sketches.
Press Releases
A.C.T. and San Francisco Silent Film Festival Host Silent Film Fridays
for Once in a Lifetime
September 14, 2011
Kaufman and Hart's Once in a Lifetime Opens A.C.T.'s 2011–12 Season
August 1, 2011
The Scottsboro Boys and Higher Complete A.C.T.'s 2011–12 Season
May 5, 2011
Reviews and Other Press
Egomaniacs, Starlets Got Laughs Before "Entourage": S.F. Stage
Stephen West, Bloomberg
The silent cinema speaks again
Thomas Gladysz, SFGate.com
Once in a Lifetime Brings Amazing Hollywood Flavor to A.C.T.
Lee Hartgrave, BeyondChron
Once in a Lifetime Review: Vintage Comedy
Robert Hurwitt, San Francisco Chronicle
SFist Reviews: Once in a Lifetime at A.C.T.
Jay Barmann, SFist
Laughs of a Lifetime in A.C.T.'s season opener
Chad Jones, theaterdogs
A.C.T.'s Mark Rucker directs Once in a Lifetime
Robert Hurwitt, San Francisco Chronicle
Once in a Lifetime showcases film technology
Robert Hurwitt, San Francisco Chronicle
Vital vaudevillians
Richard Dodds, The Bay Area Reporter
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