San Fran cranks up 'Music' in quiet times: ACT forges ahead with pricey prod'n.(LEGIT)('War Music' at the American Conservatory Theater)

SAN FRANCISCO In today's economy, many regional theaters are looking for cost-effective productions to keep their subscribers happy without stretching their already strained budgets. So it might seem risky to stage a 13-actor epic based on Homer's "The Iliad."

The world premiere of "War Music," adapted by director Lillian Groag from Christopher Logue's contemporary, English-language version of the Greek classic and bowing April 1, represents everything San Francisco's American Conservatory Theater stands for, according to its leadership.

Artistic director Carey Perloff commissioned the production 2 1/2 years ago. In the cast are five of the company's six core actors, …