The Diary of a Scoundrel is a comedic farce about a thorough-going rascal who decides to make his fortune through chicanery, deceit, bribery, flattery, crass opportunism, sex—whatever it takes to climb the social ladder. The play will be staged by ACT Resident Director Jeff Steitzer, who directed this same adaption last year at the Berkeley Repertory Theatre. Playwright Erik Brogger, who adapted Alexander Ostr0vsky’s 19th century Russian farce for the Berkeley Rep, will be in Seattle on a “rehearsal observership” (sponsored by Theatre Communications Group) and will work with director Steitzer on this production. “While directing the Berkeley Rep production,” said Steitzer, “it was hard not to think of Seattle actors in the roles…and now I’ll have a chance to see those fantasies come true. Erik and I hope to shape the play to the remarkable talents of our local comedians.” Alexander Ostrovsky (1823-1886) was Russia’s most popular and prolific dramatist of the 19th century, with over 80 plays to his credit, including The Forest, seen at The Seattle Rep last year. And although The Diary of a Scoundrel was written in 1868, its satire rings true today.