Ensemble Studio Theatre Announces Marathon 2008

Ensemble Studio Theatre (William Carden, Artistic Director, Paul Alexander Slee, Executive Director) will present 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 (a detailed schedule of the series follows below).

The playwrights, both established and emerging, contributing to Mare 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.

"People forget that thirty years ago, before the E.S.T. Marathon, no one did one-act plays," says E.S.T. Artistic Director, William Carden.  "So, in that sense, over the years, the Marathon has given birth to a craze.  But three decades later it is still the most respected and sought-after forum for one-act plays.  This year's roster reflects that legacy since it combines new plays by established award-winners like David Auburn and Neil LaBute with gifted newcomers like Amy Herzog, Anne Washburn, Lloyd Suh, elder statesmen like Frank Gilroy and José Rivera, and some true originals like Lewis Black and Taylor Mac.  In all its diversity, it is an event designed to celebrate the one-act in every dimension, giving voice to fifteen playwrights in one festival."

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.

Performances will be evenings at 7pm, with matinees Saturdays at 2 pm, as indicated below.  Tickets are $18 each. Tickets may be ordered by calling 212-352-3101, or online at www.TheaterMania.com. For more information, visit www.ensemblestudiotheatre.org

SERIES A

"An Upset" by David Auburn
 Directed by Harris Yulin*
 
 "Christmas Present" by Amy Herzog
 Directed by RJ Tolan*
 
 "A Little Soul-Searching" by Willie Reale*, music by Patrick Barnes
 Directed by Evan Cabnet
 
 "Tostitos" by Michael John Garcés
Directed by May Adrales
 
 "Wedding Pictures" by Quincy Long*
 Directed by Kathleen Dimmick

     Thursday, May 8 at 7pm
  Friday, May 9 at 7pm
  Saturday, May 10 at 2pm
  Saturday, May 10 at 7pm
  Sunday, May 11 at 7pm
  Monday, May 12 at 7pm
  Thursday, May 15 at 7pm
  Friday, May 16 at 7pm
  Saturday, May 17 at 2pm
  Saturday, May 17 at 7pm
  Sunday, May 18 at 7pm
  Monday, May 19 at 7pm
  Sunday, May 25 at 2pm
  Wednesday, May 28 at 7pm
  Friday, May 30 at 7pm
  Saturday, May 31 at 2pm  

SERIES B

  "The Great War" by Neil LaBute
 Directed by Andrew McCarthy*
 
 "Okay" by Taylor Mac
 
 "Happy Birthday William Abernathy" by Lloyd Suh*
 
 "Ideogram" by David Zellnik*
 Directed by Abigail Zealy Bess*
 
 "October/November" by Anne Washburn
 
Friday, May 23 at 7pm
  Saturday, May 24 at 2pm
  Saturday, May 24 at 7pm
  Sunday, May 25 at 7pm
  Thursday, May 29 at 7pm
  Saturday, May 31 at 7pm
  Sunday, June 1 at 7pm
  Monday, June 2 at 7pm
  Sunday, June 8 at 2pm
  Wednesday, June 11 at 7pm
  Friday, June 13 at 7pm
  Saturday, June 14 at 7pm
  Sunday, June 15 at 2pm
 Monday, June 16 at 7pm
  Wednesday, June 18 at 7pm
  Friday, June 20 at 7pm    
 

SERIES C:

"In Between Songs" by Lewis Black*

   "Japanoir" by Michael Feingold
 
 "Piscary" by Frank D. Gilroy*
 
 "Flowers" by José Rivera*
 
 "A Very Very Short Play" by Jacquelyn Reingold*
 Directed by Jonathan Bernstein  
 
  Friday, June 6 at 7pm
  Saturday, June 7 at 2pm
  Saturday, June 7 at 7pm
  Sunday, June 8 at 7pm
  Monday, June 9 at 7pm
  Thursday, June 12 at 7pm
  Saturday,  June 14 at 2pm
   Sunday, June 15 at 7pm
   Thursday, June 19 at 7pm
   Saturday, June 21 at 2pm
    Saturday. June 21 at 7pm
  Sunday, June 22 at 2pm
  Monday, June 23 at 7pm
  Thursday, June 26 at 7pm
 Friday,  June 27 at 7pm
 Saturday, June 28 at 7pm   

* Indicates Ensemble Studio Theatre member artist

 
 
PRESS CONTACT:
David Gersten & Associates
212/575-0263
info@davidgersten.com

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