by Lawrence Helman
The San Francisco Mime Troupe continues their annual tradition of performing original new political musicals for FREE in Bay Area parks. Now in their 66th year, they present their new show, “Disruption – A Musical Farce,” from July 4 through Aug. 3, 2025.
“Disruption – A Musical Farce” asks the political question: As the United States slides towards authoritarianism, will San Francisco become a center of resistance or just a corporate suburb of Silicon Valley? In a city where nothing is more important than “innovation,” we meet Augie, a son of immigrants whose life is all about helping his neighbors navigate an increasingly underfunded system. Meanwhile a tech genius is all about making a city attractive to the right kind of people. Who wouldn’t want that?
Soon San Francisco will be a suburb of Silicon Valley – and just in time for the president’s upcoming visit. But if the city is poised to be a calm, efficient paradise, why is everything suddenly on … FIRE!
“Disruption – A Musical Farce” is written by SF Mime Troupe long-time resident playwright Michael Gene Sullivan along with SFMT Collective member Marie Cartier. Sullivan, a superstar in the African American community, also stars in the play.
Only half a season for 2025
Rather than not perform in the parks at all, the Mime Troupe, which usually performs for teo months – July through Labor Day, decided to do only a half season with the hope we could raise the amount to financially support that unprecedented decision. Half a season is not quite half the cost but it seemed like an obtainable goal rather than forfeiting the entire season. Performing a new political musical for FREE in Bay Area parks seems even more important now as the Mime Troupe is compelled to use its stage to promote and encourage activism rather than passive disengagement.
Black stars
Michael Gene Sullivan is an actor, writer, director, essayist and teacher committed to developing theatre of social and economic justice, of political self-determination, and, of course, musical comedy. Michael is also an alum of the nationally-acclaimed Playwright’s Foundation, a Djerassi Center Artist Fellow, received an Honorable Mention for Actors Equity’s Paul Robeson Award, and in 2022 was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship. An accomplished veteran of Bay Area theater, Michael is also a Collective Member and Resident Director of the Tony and OBIE award-winning, always revolutionary, and never, ever silent San Francisco Mime Troupe, where he has written, acted in, and/or directed over 30 plays. (See www.michaelgenesullivan.com.)
Alicia M. P. Nelson is an award-winning San Francisco Bay Area based actor, clown and arts educator. She is a graduate of Boston University, where she acquired a BFA in Acting. She has a certificate in Greek and Roman Mythology from the University of Pennsylvania, and an Advanced Teacher Early Childhood Education Certificate from the University of California Santa Cruz. In the spring of 2016 she traveled to Arezzo, Tuscany, Italy, where she studied physical theater and Commedia dell’Arte. That year she also traveled to Papingo, Greece, as an apprentice with One Year Lease Theater Company where she studied the Greek language and the art of Greek tragedies. As an actor she has worked across the country in varying theatres including CalShakes, WAMTheatre, TheatreWorks Silicon Valley, SF Playhouse, Marin Theatre, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, and more. As an educator she has worked at theatres and schools across the Bay Area, specializing in creative arts for early childhood education. She is also a member of the Red Ladder Theatre Company where she works to bring arts to at-risk populations. Nelson is passionate about all things that spark the imagination. She is an avid believer in playing pretend, making a fool of yourself, diving in head-first, and increased diversity in theatre, and the power of the arts to build compassionate individuals. (See www.ampnelson.com.)
SF Mime Troupe history
People often ask: Why do you call yourself a Mime Troupe if you talk and sing? We use the term “mime” in its classical and original definition, “The exaggeration of daily life in story and song.” It is a form of popular theater that is as old as the marketplace itself. From the ancient Greek and Roman farces to the Renaissance commedia dell’Arte to modern Chinese Opera, using archetypes comically to illustrate people’s issues is a time-honored worldwide tradition. Our broadly drawn characters are instantly recognizable allowing the audience to immediately engage in the action. Our work is political satire and anything but silent.
For a complete schedule and more information, visit sfmt.org or call 415-285-1717. Additional info on SFMT is available at info tables at each of our park shows.
