E.S.T.'s 'Marathon 2008' to include Auburn, LaBute, & more

Ensemble Studio Theatre announces Series A of MARATHON 2008, E.S.T.'s 30th annual festival of new one-act plays, at E.S.T. (549 West 52nd Street). Performances begin Thursday, May 8th, and continue through Saturday, June 28th.  MARATHON 2008 offers fifteen World Premieres of one-act plays in three separate evenings.  The three series will 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.

 

  "An Upset" by David Auburn
 Directed by Harris Yulin*
With Matt Lauria and Darren Goldstein
Two professional tennis players, a phenom and a former "number one" on the road to retirement, face off in the locker room after three pivotal matches, which change each of their lives.

 "Christmas Present" by Amy Herzog
 Directed by RJ Tolan*
With Julie Fitzpatrick* and Jake Hoffman
Jess and Benji just had a one night stand.  It's the morning after on Christmas day, and Benji discovers Jess has given him a gift that keeps on giving. 

 "A Little Soul-Searching" by Willie Reale*, music by Patrick Barnes
 Directed by Evan Cabnet
 With Michael Potts and Karen Trott
Two souls wait in limbo to be dispatched to their next assignment – Earth.  They pass the time singing about a perfect world called "Felicity" and hope their next incarnation won't be so bad.

 "Tostitos" by Michael John Garcés
Directed by May Adrales
With Andres Munar, Jenny Gomez, Berrett Doss, Howard Overshown
A teenage girl attempts to befriend a couple meth-heads in the parking lot of her dad's convenience store by giving them junk food.  Everything's cool, until her dad shows up.

 "Wedding Pictures" by Quincy Long*
 Directed by Kathleen Dimmick
With Petronia Paley*, Autumn Dornfield, Eric Gilde, Jacob Hawkins
In this wordless play, a bride, her groom and a lover dance around in a love triangle like none you've ever seen.  A minister attempts to mend their wounded hearts, accompanied by a lone violinist.
 

* indicates Ensemble Studio Theatre member artist 

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