E.S.T. to Present 'Neglect' and Thicker Than Water Fest

Youngblood and Ensemble Studio Theatre will present Neglect by Sharyn Rothstein and Thicker than Water 2007, the eighth collection of new plays by members of Youngblood, E.S.T.'s company of emerging professional playwrights under the age of 30. Performances begin on Saturday February 10th, and continue through Saturday, March 10th at E.S.T. (549 West 52nd Street).

This year's Youngblood series presents a repertory schedule of Neglect, a full-length play, in rep with Youngblood's signature Thicker Than Water, this year featuring one-act plays, shorts and a song cycle, all having their world premiere.

Descriptions of the shows follow:

Neglect, by Sharyn Rothstein, will be directed by Catherine Ward and star William Jackson Harper and Geany Masai. "During a heat wave, in an inner-city Chicago neighborhood, an elderly woman opens her home to the young man next door. Together they try to escape the heat and their own loneliness, but an unexpected betrayal leaves each irreparably changed. A heartbreaking new drama from a rising young writer, featuring two star-making performances," press notes state.
 
This year's Thicker Than Water includes three one-acts, three shorts, and an original song cycle – the company's largest, most ambitious production yet. 

Bike Wreck, by Qui Nguyen, directed by John Gould Rubin
"A rookie to the world of Chinese food delivery learns the rules of the game."

Group, by Annie Baker, directed by Alex Timbers
"An aspiring author tries to quit her writer's group. Neurosis ensues."

And The Baby Makes Three by Courtney Brooke Lauria, directed by Melissa Kievman
"A young wife, traumatized by miscarriage, gets advice on how to cope from her home appliances."

Rob by Sam Forman, directed by Marlo Hunter
"Dumped for an obnoxiously attractive, compulsively masturbating actor, a young singer-songwriter desperately tries (and fails) to restart his life."

Triage by Sharyn Rothstein, director TBA
"A man watches his wife choke to death in a hospital lobby while the American medical system points and laughs. A comedy."

The Roosevelt Cousins, Thoroughly Sauced by Michael Lew, directed by Moritz von Steulpnagel
"A historical short about a young FDR and Eleanor Roosevelt at a polio clinic in Georgia. Drunk."

Songs: The Jamal Lullabies by Emily Conbere, directed by RJ Tolan
"Four high-school girls eulogize the no-account drug dealer they loved, in song."

Neglect previews February 10th and 11th at 7pm. Opening night will be February 12th.   Performances will continue Wednesdays and Saturdays at 7pm and Sundays at 5pm from 2/21 through 3/10. Thicker Than Water previews February 17th and 18th at 7pm.  Opening night will be February 19th. Performances will continue Thursday and Friday at 7pm and Saturdays at 3pm, through March 10th.

Tickets will be $18, and can be purchased by calling 212/352-3101 or at www.theatermania.com.