A darkly comic tale, Hunter Gatherers explores the animal core of human beings. Pam and Richard are hosting their long time friends, Wendy and Tom, for a special dinner get-together. But what begins as a celebratory get-together soon erupts into a chain reaction of unearthed secrets, pent-up feelings, and sudden urges. As the evening progresses, Pam, Richard, Wendy and Tom struggle to come to terms with their true identity and their spot in the food chain. Also included: an animal sacrifice, sex, deception, violence, wrestling, and unadulterated dancing.

In short order the play’s wickedly funny surface gives way to deeper existential themes: how strongly are we driven by primal desires laid into our genes for millions of years? Is there such a thing as "human" decency, or are all of man’s impulses rooted in self-interest? And what goes better with meat, the red or the white?

Peter Nachtrieb, a Bay Area native and actor/writer/director, earned an MFA in Playwriting
from San Francisco State University and a BA at Brown University. His original full-length play Colorado was produced at Theater Row in New York, and Meaningless was presented at The Bailiwick Theater in Chicago.

Paul Walsh, former A.C.T. dramaturg and Director of Humanities, raved about Mr. Nacthrieb’s abilities in the November 2004 Theater Bay Area Magazine:

"A new writer on the scene, Peter is already making a splash on the national front. It’s not surprising. Peter writes with scandalous panache about the American family in crisis and the results are surprising, unnerving and hilarious making him a writer to watch."

Hunter Gatherers plays June 8 through July 9 at San Francisco's Thick House Theater in Potrero Hill. The production is directed by Tracy Ward, and produced by Lisa Busby, Paul Charney, Sally Garbarini, and Marc Vogl. The cast includes Melanie Case, John Kovacevich, Alexis Lezin, and Jon Wolanske. More info on the production--including how to get tickets and more--coming your way soon.