"Cliff-hanging drama . . . as magical as a fairy tale" —The New York Times

"Exciting and suspenseful . . . beautifully staged by director Frank Galati" —Sarasota Magazine

The new season begins with passionate (and patriotic) fireworks as A.C.T. presents the West Coast premiere of acclaimed director Frank Galati's triumphant new staging of 1776, one of the most beloved musicals of all time. More than 230 years ago, our founding fathers wrestled with infighting, held heated debates, and negotiated compromises while drafting the Declaration of Independence. In this exhilarating work, the political skirmishes that played out centuries ago have surprising contemporary resonance. Hailed by critics as "brilliant," "thrilling," and "utterly riveting"—and filled with glorious music and unforgettable characters—1776 takes us on a vivid, rousing, and suspenseful adventure into the fascinating first chapter of American history.

"A theatrical miracle . . . a cosmic puzzle that makes The Da Vinci Code seem like a game of
hide-and-seek" —Variety

"[Filled with] intelligent writing and quirky humor" —Los Angeles Times

Academy Award nominee David Strathairn (Lincoln; Good Night, and Good Luck; Scorched at A.C.T.) returns in the captivating solo drama Underneath the Lintel. In this riveting ghost story, an eccentric librarian finds a weather-beaten book in a return bin—and discovers that it is 113 years overdue. Sparked by a message left in its margins, he sets off on a quest to unravel the secrets of the book and the person who borrowed it. From the hallways of his library, he follows a chain of clues that spans the globe and dates back thousands of years. With astonishing twists and turns,Underneath the Lintel is a magical piece of storytelling that draws us into an unforgettable odyssey that is both "powerfully human and ultimately sublime" (Variety).

Performances sell out quickly. Act now for the best seats and prices!

"A smash hit! Holiday traditions don't get any better." —Stark Insider

"The best Christmas Carol ever!"—Jan Wahl, KCBS

Featuring a lively cast of dozens, gorgeous costumes, and those deliciously spooky ghosts, the Bay Area's favorite holiday tradition returns with a sparkling, music-infused production of A Christmas Carol. Bring your family, bring your friends, and check your "humbugs" at the door!

"Seriously smart and very funny . . . a suspense-packed study of the erotics of power" —The New York Times

"A sexy and dangerous tango" —Time Out New York

After seducing New York audiences and critics, "Broadway's hottest date night!" (Liz Smith) arrives at A.C.T. in an electrifying new production. When a young actress auditions for a gifted but demanding playwright/director's adaptation of a classic novel about sexual domination, their encounter explodes into a playful, witty, and erotic game of cat and mouse, dangerously blurring the lines between fantasy and reality—and seduction and power.

"Haunting . . . [a] drama hewn out of a myth that speaks across the centuries" —The Guardian

"An emotionally piercing marvel" —The Times of London

The season expands to global dimensions with The Orphan of Zhao, James Fenton's beautiful reinvention of a classic Chinese legend that has its roots back in the fourth century BCE. The inimitable stage and film star BD Wong (M. Butterfly, Law & Order: Special Victim Unit) will make his A.C.T. debut in this luminous production. In the aftermath of a violent coup, an epic story of self-sacrifice and revenge plays out as a young orphan discovers the shattering truth behind his origins. Often described as the Chinese Hamlet, this gripping tale was the first Chinese play to be translated in the West and has inspired countless operas, plays, and movies.