American Conservatory Theater to Present the West Coast Premiere of Amy Herzog's "4000 Miles"
Thursday, September 13, 2012

The critically acclaimed production will replace "A Streetcar Named Desire" for the 2012-13 season.

SAN FRANCISCO (September 13, 2012)— American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) Artistic Director Carey Perloff announced today that Amy Herzog’s poignant comedy 4000 Miles will replace the previously announced production of A Streetcar Named Desire for the 2012–13 season. In this acclaimed comic drama, 21-year-old Leo unexpectedly arrives on the doorstep of his feisty 91-year-old grandmother Vera’s New York apartment, dazed after a cross-country bike trip. Sparks fly as Vera’s surprising political views collide with Leo’s carefree hippie lifestyle. When Leo’s old girlfriend shows up and he begins to reveal the mysterious events of his journey, Leo and Vera discover the fragile line between growing up and growing old. Called a “funny, moving, altogether wonderful drama” (The New York Times) and “one of the best, bravest plays of the season” (Time Out New York), 4000 Miles was the recipient of two OBIE Awards, including Best New American Play. 4000 Miles had its 2011 world premiere at New York’s Lincoln Center Theater, where it played to sold-out houses and received staggering accolades from critics. Casting for A.C.T’s production of 4000 Miles will be announced at a later date. 4000 Miles will run January 17–February 10, 2013, at A.C.T.’s Geary Theater (415 Geary Street, San Francisco). Patrons who previously purchased tickets to A Streetcar Named Desire will receive the same seating location and performance date and time for 4000 Miles. Tickets (starting at $20) are on sale now and may be purchased online at act-sf.org or by calling 415.749.2228.    

Says Perloff: “Due to a possible national tour of the recent Broadway production of A Streetcar Named Desire, we have learned that we will be unable to produce the show this January. This was disappointing news for us all, as we had been looking forward to bringing Bay Area audiences this classic American drama. We are thrilled, though, to announce that we have been awarded the honor of producing the West Coast premiere of Amy Herzog’s acclaimed new American play 4000 Miles. We can’t wait to bring our audiences this exciting new work from a young playwright who has the potential to transform the American theater.”

A.C.T.’s 2012–13 season also features the Bay Area’s favorite holiday tradition, A Christmas Carol (November 30–December 24), the world premiere of George F. Walker’s audacious dark comedy Dead Metaphor (February 28–March 24), the world premiere music-theater event Stuck Elevator (April 4–28), the Bay Area premiere of The National Theatre of Scotland’s internationally acclaimed production of Black Watch (May 3–June 9), and a new production of Tom Stoppard’s ravishing masterwork Arcadia (May 16–June 9).

A.C.T. subscribers enjoy incredible savings, unparalleled access, exclusive benefits, and personalized customer service. Subscriptions can be ordered via the A.C.T. subscriptions office by calling 415.749.2250 or online at www.act-sf.org/subscribe. Subscribers save as much as 33 percent off single-ticket prices. Full-time students, educators, and administrators with valid ID save up to 50% off select packages. Senior discounts are available for certain series. A.C.T.’s competitive subscriber benefits include free ticket exchanges up to the day of scheduled tickets, priority seating, ticket insurance, access to convenient prepaid parking one block away from the theater, and discounts for neighborhood restaurants. To order a subscription, visit www.act-sf.org/subscribe or call 415.749.2250.

A.C.T. would like to acknowledge its 2012–13 company sponsors Ms. Joan Danforth; Ray and Dagmar Dolby; Frannie Fleishhacker; Priscilla and Keith Geeslin; Marcia and John Goldman; Ambassador James C. Hormel and Michael P. Nguyen; Koret Foundation; Fred M. Levin and Nancy Livingston, The Shenson Foundation; Burt and Deedee McMurtry; Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Osher; Arthur and Toni Rembe Rock; Ms. Kathleen Scutchfield; Mary and Steven Swig; Doug Tilden and Teresa Keller; and Jeff and Laurie Ubben.