Production History

Six Women with Brain Death (or Expiring Minds Want to Know) closed CST’s Season 16 (1999–2000) at Stage Center, 400 W. Sheridan Avenue. This was CST’s fifth production of the musical revue, following stagings in 1989, 1990, 1994, and 1996. A sixth followed in 2005.

The original CST history traces the show’s development within the company:

1989: An extended debut following CST’s move to Main and Hudson.
1990: A different cast, directed by Michelle DeLong.
1994: Directed by Mark Houston, expanded and opened as Eight Women with Brain Death, adding Swim Team and Recycling material.
1996: A revival directed by Rhonda Clark and Ron Martin, following Houston’s death.
2000: A six-woman cast accompanied by the live band of Louise Goldberg, Mary Reynolds, and Elyse Angelo.

CST Connections

Mary Freeh, Renee Preftakes, Shawn Carey, and Ellen Webster were returning veterans of earlier CST editions of the show.
Mark Houston’s work was also showcased in CST’s Sing Like Angels (1991).
Mary Freeh previously played Lita Encore and provided costumes for Ruthless! (1998). Renee Preftakes played Cookie Cusack in Rumors (II) that same year.
Emily Etherton previously played Sally in Pack of Lies (1997) and Josie Hines in Proposals (1999). She later played Carolyn Symons in Murder in Green Meadows (2002).
Elyse Angelo also played drums for Ruthless!, whose Sylvia St. Croix, Enoch Elms, served here as rehearsal pianist.
Tom Harrington, Melody Harrington, Steve Gillmore, and Bob Bates also contributed to Proposals, the Season 16 opener.
Phil Carlton stage-managed Pack of Lies, while Don Lusk operated sound for P.S. Your Cat Is Dead! (1993).
Nick Backes, Bob Bates, Lyn Bates, and Adrian Thompson contributed to Six Degrees of Separation (1999).

Press and Photography

“Expiring Minds” — The Oklahoman, June 11, 2000, advance coverage identified in the supplied research; it was not a production review.
The claimed June 16, 2000, review, “‘Six Women’ Packs Laughs, High Energy,” has not been independently verified. A cited June 2005 review concerns the later revival.

Acknowledgments

Produced by Precor Realty Advisors and Carpenter Square Theatre.

Special thanks: Hobby Lobby; Oklahoma Children’s Theatre; UCO Theatre Department; Russell Webster; Doug Getzoff; Tuxedo Specialists; Enoch Elms.

Licensing

Produced by special arrangement with Music Theatre International, according to the original CST record. Current performance licensing remains available through Music Theatre International.

THEATRE UP CLOSE & PERSONAL

Ellen Webster