From left: Rudy Guererro, Gendall Hernandez and Delia MacDougall. Photo by Mark Leialoha.

The performing arts ensemble Word for Word delivers their promise to San Francisco theatergoers with their name. They bring classic and contemporary fiction to life, literally, by performing it word for word. Their process is easy to understand and enjoyable to watch. They choose a short story, and then act out the entire piece, without omitting the least thing. The audience has the chance to hear all the lines, as well as any description of the atmosphere, the emotional mood, or the physical movements of the actors. It’s a lot like listening to a book on tape read by your favorite actors, and getting to see them act out the story at the same time.

Word for Word performs a wide variety of works, from the short stories of Tobias Wolff to the most recent production of Food Stories which features fiction from T.C. Boyle. The focus is on playfulness, and fun—it’s a great choice for those looking for innovative and unique theater. Although Word for Word usually performs at Z Space in San Francisco, Food Stories can be seen at the McKenna Theater at San Francisco State University on March 6, 2012. Tickets are only $10-15 and can be purchased online here.

Whether you’re a theater fan who thinks you’ve seen it all, someone looking for a playful introduction to the San Francisco theater scene, or just a bookworm interested in seeing memorable fiction taken to the stage, Word for Word will give you an experience you won’t soon forget.