Expiring Minds Want To Know or Six Women With Brain Death
Music and lyrics: Mark Houston; Book: Cheryl Benge, Christy Brandt, Rosanna Coppedge, Valerie Fagan, Ross Freese, Mark Houston, Sandee Johnson, Peggy Pharr Wilson
Opening Date:
June 2, 1989
Closing Date:
July 29, 1989
Six women tackle pop culture, relationships, gender expectations, and everyday absurdities in a fast-paced musical comedy revue.
Cast & Crew
The Women — Shawn Carey
The Women — Michelle DeLong
The Women — Mary Freeh
The Women — Stephanie Johnson
The Women — Amber Purvine Miller
The Women — Melanie Levy
CREW
Director — Roberta Sloan
Musical Director — Steve Elkins
Scenic / Lighting Designer — Matt Aston
Costumer / Choreographer — Mary Freeh
Stage Manager — Lara James
Light Operator — Michael Cregan
Carpenter — Jim Osterlund
Props — Todd Hawkins
Dresser — Linda Lagan
Photographer — Elaine Warner
Production Notes
Production History
The original engagement ran June 2–17, 1989, followed by an extended engagement July 7–29. These were separate performance periods, with a gap between them.
An especially popular early CST production, Six Women with Brain Death returned in 1990 and subsequent seasons. A later retrospective reportedly credited its success with helping retire CST’s debt; this remains an attributed historical claim rather than an independently verified financial finding.
Development History
Originally developed and produced by Creative Productions and first performed at Unicorn Theatre in Kansas City, Missouri.
CST Connections
Mary Freeh performed while also serving as costumer and choreographer. Director Roberta Sloan later portrayed Ruth Steiner in CST’s Collected Stories.
Licensing
Currently licensed through Music Theatre International (MTI).