EST Presents Series C of 'Marathon 2008'

Ensemble Studio Theatre presents Series C of MARATHON 2008, E.S.T.'s 30th annual festival of new one-act plays, at E.S.T. (549 West 52nd Street). MARATHON 2008 offers fifteen World Premieres of one-act plays in three separate evenings.  The three series run in rotating repertory.

The playwrights, both established and emerging, contributing to MARATHON 2008 are David Auburn, Lewis Black, Michael Feingold, Michael John Garcés, Frank D. Gilroy, Amy Herzog, Neil LaBute, Quincy Long, Taylor Mac, Willie Reale & Patrick Barnes, Jacquelyn Reingold, José Rivera, Lloyd Suh, Anne Washburn, and David Zellnik.

Ensemble Studio Theatre is a not-for-profit developmental theatre founded in 1972 with two primary goals: to nurture individual theatre artists, and to develop new American plays.  Under the guidance of founder Curt Dempster, the theatre's membership grew from a core of 20 artists to a flourishing community of over 500 theatre artists of the highest caliber.  Among them are winners of accolades and higher awards including Pulitzer Prizes, Oscars, Tonys, Emmys, and Obies.  E.S.T. is a lifelong artistic home for its member playwrights, directors, actors, designers, technical personnel, and administrators. Each year, the Ensemble produces over 300 projects, including readings, staged readings, and fully produced mainstage full-lengths.
 
 "In Between Songs" by Lewis Black directed by directed by Joe Grifasi & Rebecca Nelson, with Jack Gilpin, David Wohl, CC deWolf  
Chaz, Ed and Grace gather for an evening of music and pot.  A raucous play about tuning in and remembering the past. Using his trademark wit, comedian Lewis Black takes a look at the absurdities of getting older and coping with change.

"Japanoir" by Michael Feingold, directed by Richard Hamburger, with Alexis Camins, Jackie Chung, Karen Lee, Glenn Kuboto, Jo mei, Raj Bose, Steven Eng, John Haggerty, Leslie Ayvazian
A play inspired by a love for Japanese movies, Japanoir tells a labyrinthine tale of love and betrayal set in three alternate realities.  Interviews with 4 Japanese Masters contextualize a story about stolen money and lost honor.  A complex and provocative play about film and the search for the essence of creativity.

"Piscary" by Frank D. Gilroy, directed by Janet Zarish, with Diane Davis, Mark Alhadeff
The Pulitzer-winning author of The Subject Was Roses takes a hilarious and unnerving look at pre wedding day jitters.  Amidst talk of friends, tropical fish and kids a soon-to- be- wed couple begins to reassess their relationship and engage in a bitter and life-altering game of scrabble with surprising results.

"Flowers" by José Rivera, directed by Linsay Firman, with Raul Castillo, Flora Diaz  
From the Academy Award Nominated writer of "The Motorcycle Diaries" comes a play about a young boy dealing with his sister's monstrous acne and the unimaginable change that overtakes her. A play about magic, mutation and the horrors of growing up.

"A Very Very Short Play" by Jacquelyn Reingold*, Directed by Jonathan Bernstein, with Julie Fitzpatrick & Adam Dannheisser
Roger and Joan are passengers on a very long airplane flight.  Roger is a Lawyer, a romantic and 12 feet 8 inches tall.  Joan is a foot tall and just wants to read.  On a whim, Roger takes a chance and engages Joan in a conversation.  What ensues is a delightfully surreal and romantic tale of opposites attracting.

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