Marathon '97, Ensemble Studio Theatre's 20th annual festival of new one-act plays, begin performances on May 6 through June 15 at E.S.T. (549 West 52nd Street, NYC). The renowned series will feature new works by the likes of Frank D. Gilroy, Romulus Linney, Craig Lucas, Michael Weller, Edward Allan Baker, Robert Kerr, Julie McKee, Vicki Mooney, John Ford Noonan, Will Scheffer, Cherie Vogelstein and Michael Louis Wells.
Many of the plays that have been showcased at E.S.T's annual festival have gone on to Broadway, Off-Broadway and regional theatre productions. In some cases, playwrights have also used the one-act arena as a means to experiment their work for expansion to full-length form. David Mamet, Joyce Carol Oates, John Patrick Shanley, Herb Gardner, Christopher Durang, Eduardo Machado, Richard Greenberg, Peter Basch, Greg Germann and Oyamo have all been produced in recent Marathons. And in addition, Arthur Miller, Marsha Norma, John Guare, Tina Howe, Howard Korder, Paul Rudnick, Regina Taylor, Steve Martin, Robert Schenkkan and Michael John LaChiusa have been presented in the one-act festival.
The Marathon has been bestowed many honors of which included a 1993 Obie from the Village Voice.
Marathon '97 offers three series of new and premiere plays. Each series runs for two weeks. Tickets are $15.00; a Marathon Pass to all three series may be purchased for $40. For reservations and information, please call (212) 247-3405. The performance schedule follows:
SERIES "A" -- May 6 - May 18
Tennessee and Me, Will Scheffer
Sisters, Cherie Vogelstein
Mafia on Prozac, Edward Allan Baker
Potato Creek Chair of Death, Robert Kerr May 6 - 10: Tuesday - Saturday @ 7:30 p.m. and Saturday matinee @ 3:00 p.m.
May 11: No shows
May 12 - 18: Monday - Saturday @ 7:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday matinees at 3: p.m.
SERIES "B" -- May 21 - June 1
Mistresses, Michael Weller
A Backward Glance, Julie McKee
Patronage, Romulus Linney
Real Real Gone, Michael Louis Wells
May 21 - 24: Wednesday - Saturday @ 7:30 p.m. and Saturday matinee @ 3:00 p.m.
May 25: No shows
May 26 - June 1: Monday - Saturday @ 7:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday matinees at 3:00 p.m.
SERIES "C" -- June 4 -- June 15
Getting into Dartmouth, Frank D. Gilroy
What I Meant Was, Craig Lucas>br> When It Comes Early, John Ford Noonan
Sparrow Vicki Mooney,
June 4 - 7: Wednesday - Saturday @ 7:30 p.m. and Saturday matinee @ 3:00 p.m.
June 8: No shows
June 8 - June 15 Monday - Saturday @ 7:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday matinees @ 3 p.m.
--By Katia Lundy
