EXPIRATION DATE to Play 59E59 Theatres as Part of E2E Festival, Begin. 7/11

Expiration Date, a serio-comic play that explores what it means to be human by Rose-Marie Brandwein, will be presented by Picaresque Players Theatre Company as part of the East to Edinburgh Festival at 59 E 59 Theaters starting July 11 prior to its engagement at the Edinburgh Fringe in August. Cheryl King directs a seasoned cast that includes Jean Brookner* (Like Bees to Honey), Andrew Rothkin* (Blood Privilege), KC Weakly (The Garden Plot), Dara O' Brien* (The Seagull at Classic Stage) and Emil Keller* (Corporate Disturbance). (*Member of Actors Equity).

The year is 2113 and our world is a radically different one. People no longer venture outdoors to experience the "true" beauty of nature yet technological advancements have made it possible to extend life forever. Now having reached the age of 150, Mildred, once an ordinary American housewife, continues to cling to her 20th century habits and memories for comfort. Most of her loved ones have "expired" and even though Mildred still lives with her family-husband Arthur and son Albert--his presence seems to irritate rather than to comfort her. Albert, a total product of this bleak new era, is throwing a birthday party for Mildred, and at the same time reminding her that at her milestone age, a compulsory decision enforced by the government makes it necessary to transition into another life form known as People-Pods. Old friends Burt and Alice provide their perspective on being "P-Pods", encouraging Mildred to transition rather than to disappear into the ether. What would you do?

Rose-Marie Brandwein received her M.F.A. in professional writing from the University of Southern California where she studied playwriting and screenwriting. She studied playwriting with Larry Carr, Jack Gelber, David Scott Milton and Walter Hadler at Roundabout Conservatory Theatre's Playwriting Unit and with directors Andrew Leynse and Tyler Marchant of Primary Stages. A reading of her full length play Rushmore: The Fifth Man was based on the life of renowned sculptor, Gutzon Borglum. Expiration Date was first presented as a stage reading at the Seventh Annual Women at Work Festival in October of 2012. Ms. Brandwein is a member of the Dramatists Guild.

Cheryl King has a multi-faceted theatrical career as a director, playwright, producer and actress. She founded and manages Stage Left Studio that presents the Women at Work Festival, a launching ground for many women playwrights and performers and created the unique long running cabaret series Forbidden Kiss LIVE. Having directed over 35 productions including several award winners, she produced the 2013 Drama Desk nominated That Play: A Solo Macbeth. Her current work includes the critically acclaimed TEST: Do You Really Want to Know? Are You Positive? which she directed and co-wrote.

Expiration Date opens in the East to Edinburgh Festival on Thursday July 11 at 59E59 Theaters (59 East 59th Street between Park and Lexington) and runs July 11 thru 21 in Theaters B & C. Performance schedule is as follows: Thurs. July 11 at 8:30PM, Fri. July 12 at 6:30PM, Sat. July 13 at 6:30PM, Sun. July 14 at 6:30PM, Sat. July 20 at 7PM and Sun. July 21 at 2PM. Tickets are $18 and $12.60 for 59E59 members. To purchase tickets click here or call Ticket Central at (212) 279-4200. Also call 59E59 Box Office at (212) 753-5959 ext.102 between noon and 6PM. Tickets may also be purchased directly at the 59E59 Box Office.

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