Ensemble Studio Theatre Presents OCTOBERFEST

Long before New York had a fringe festival, New York had the Ensemble Studio Theatre's OCTOBERFEST, a marathon of new, developing plays crammed together on two floors of the theatre company's home at 549 West 52nd Street. The first OCTOBERFEST was in 1981.

Not for the theatrically faint of art or those lacking in dramatic stamina, OCTOBERFEST 2010 brings together 53 plays over 26 days, September 20 thru October 16, selected by its members and presented in varying states of readiness with a schedule so large and complicated (and organized like a military operation), no single month or press release can contain it. For those with broadband, the complete performance schedule is at www.ovationtix.com/trs/cal/134.

"The Ensemble Studio Theatre's lobby, stairwell, elevator, offices and theatres are filled to bursting with actors, directors, and playwrights rehearsing and developing their newest, most promising material," said Ensemble Studio Theatre Artistic Director William Carden of OCTOBERFEST. "What's different this year is that we are initiating a plan to produce more full-lengths and so we issued a challenge: focus Octoberfest squarely on new full-length plays. The result has been an Octoberfest revolution, a remarkable showing of ambitious, challenging new theatre. 53 plays in 26 days is a staggering pace."

In the eye-opening book Outrageous Fortune: The Life and Times of the New American Play, playwrights surveyed nationally named the Ensemble Studio Theatre as the number one theatre company in New York in terms of producing new plays. In that spirit with this renewed focus on new work, Ensemble Studio Theatre is continuing to open their doors and say, "Let the playwrights be heard!"

"As a result of this new play focus, among the many voices in OCTOBERFEST you will find new work from established and familiar writers like Murray Schisgal, Eduardo Machado, Arthur Giron, Elizabeth Diggs and Neil Cuthbert as well as a strong contingent of writers rapidly establishing themselves as new and important voices," said Mr. Carden." Lloyd Suh, Daniel Reitz, Robert Askins, Anna Moench, Patrick Link, Joshua Conkel, Hilary Bettis and Ben Rosenthal. At the start of the Ensemble Studio Theatre's new season, OCTOBERFEST is an invaluable way of getting snapshot of the new work that is out there....or, rather, in here on West 52nd Street."

The Plays, the Playwrights

Everything is Beautiful, Everything is Cruel by Robert Askins
Fish Display by Robert Askins
A Scream by Gina Barnett
Little Monsters by Maria Alexandria Beech
Mrs. Jones by Keith Alan Benjamin
Fati's Last Dance by France-Luce Benson
Wild Women by Stephanie Berry
Mexico by Hilary Bettis
Shakespeare in Vegas by Suzanne Bradbeer
Bleecker Street Comics by Leslie Caputo
Three by Jonathan Caren
Henna by Naveen Bahar Choudhury
F U 4 Your Service by Eric Conger
The Sluts of Sutton Drive by Joshua Conkel
White People by Neil Cuthbert
Existing Privilege by James Demarse
Glory Girls by Elizabeth Diggs
Away Towards Home by Jeanne Dorsey
Santiago in Vienna by Maria Gabriele
Finks by Joe Gilford
The Exhibitionist, a Farce by Arthur Giron
Shoestring Paradise by Joel Gross
Eating and Drinking by Susan Haar
Palmetto by Holli Harms
The Man from Madisonville by William Jackson Harper
Promethea Bound and Sisyphus Too by Marcia Haufrecht
As Sure As You Live by Roger Hedden
Subterranea by Paco Tolson & Jon Hoche
Dunroamin by J. Holtham
Sweet Forgotten Flavor by Patrick Link
R by Elizabeth Logun
That Night in Hialeah by Eduardo Machado
Endless Lawns by Anthony McKay
Will Sacrifice by Julie McKee
Reclamation by Susan Merson
In Quietness by Anna Moench
The Death of the Slow 'Dying Scuba Diver by Matthew Paul Olmos
Carole Real's Very Funny 2010 Play by Carole Real
Turnabout by Daniel Reitz
Toss It by Michele Remsen
Neptune Kelly by Ben Rosenthal
David's Play by Tom Rowan
The Second Tosca by Tom Rowan
Naked Old Man & 4XMe by Murray Schisgal
Dayglo by Randee Smith
The Great Wall Story by Lloyd Suh
Friendly Fire by Aurin Squire
Ants by Saviana Stanescu
You Only Shoot the Ones You Love by Jeffrey Sweet
Sex in the Kitchen by Judy Tate
The Princess, The Breast and the Lizard by Cori Thomas
The Only Gift by Mary F. Unser
Pluto by Bridgette Wimberly

Performances begin Monday, September 20, at 7:00pm with Shoestring Paradise by Joel Gross and conclude Saturday, October 16, when the curtain comes down on the 8:30pm performance of Endless Lawns by Anthony McKay. Performance times vary widely over the 26 days. Check the grid: https://www.ovationtix.com/trs/cal/134

The Ensemble Studio Theatre was founded on the belief that extraordinary support yields extraordinary work. Its membership is a dynamic and expanding family of artists committed to the discovery and nurturing of new voices and the continued support and growth of artists throughout their creative lives. Through its unique collaborative process it develops and produces original, provocative and authentic new plays that engage and challenge audiences here and audiences across the country.

Tickets are free, but someone will ask you for a donation. Tickets are best ordered in advance by e-mailing boxoffice@ensemblestudiotheatre.org or calling 212. 247.4982, but don't expect anyone to read you the schedule.

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