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Six Women with Brain Death or Expiring Minds Want to Know (VI)

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 17, 2005

Closing Date:

July 15, 2005

They’re back—and their brains are still on the fritz! Carpenter Square Theatre’s all-time audience favorite returns for a sixth outrageous staging of Six Women with Brain Death or Expiring Minds Want to Know, the cult-classic musical revue by Oklahoma’s own Mark Houston and collaborators. From bizarre tabloid headlines and soap-opera meltdowns to Barbie and Ken’s wedding night, a singing severed head, and a forest where Bambi meets Rambo, six fearless performers take audiences on a wildly unpredictable journey through modern life and pop culture. Directed by Rhonda Clark with fresh choreography, staging, and scenic design, this irreverent musical blends rock and roll, gospel, doo-wop, and outrageous comedy into a high-energy celebration of the absurd.

Cast & Crew

CAST Red — Emily Etherton Yellow — Mary Freeh Purple — Jodi Nestander Blue — Amy Northcutt Pink — Renee Preftakes Green — Abby Renee Tresner BAND Piano — Steven Elkins Kennedy Bass — Jason Hunt Percussion — Bart Varner Synthesizer — Brian T. Hamilton VOICEOVERS — Don Lusk, Steven Gillmore, R. Lance Garrett CREW Director / Set Design — Rhonda Clark Music Director — Steven Elkins Kennedy Choreographer — Cheryl Varnell Technical Director / Lighting Design — Steven Gillmore Costume Design — E. Danyel Siler, Mary Freeh Rehearsal Stage Manager — Bob Cross Set Construction — Steven Gillmore Scenic Painting — Rhonda Clark, Mary Freeh, Jodi Nestander, Becky Clinton, Janey Crain, Doobie Potter Lighting Technician — Anthony Bullock Sound Technician — Steven Gillmore Costume Construction — E. Danyel Siler, Mary Freeh, Julie Haque, Jon Haque, Siobhan Morava, Georgia Haque, Carol Welch, Megan Poarch Running Crew — Tom Gibson, Genger Gibson, Mona Cross, Michelle Swink, Carla Hetherington Spotlight Operators — Bob Cross, Martin Mireles Voiceovers — Don Lusk, Steven Gillmore, R. Lance Garrett Poster Design — Phil Carlton Web Photos — Phil Carlton CST Webmasters — Don Lusk, Phil Carlton

Production Notes

Sixth CST staging of its self-described all-time audience favorite, the Oklahoma-created satirical musical revue. The company advertised this as the final mainstage production of Season 21 and added two performances in response to ticket demand. The 2005 revival featured fresh staging, choreography and scenic elements. The book was collaboratively written by eight contributors, with music and lyrics by Mark Houston. Sketches parody tabloid headlines, soap operas, self-help television, high-school reunions, Barbie and Ken’s wedding night, a singing severed head, and a surreal Bambi/Rambo forest. Musical styles include ballads, gospel, rockabilly, doo-wop and rock and roll. Original CST webpage confirms the six color-coded performers; supplemental research mistakenly lists five other actresses, with only Renee Preftakes appearing in both. Four musicians provided live accompaniment. Fifteen original photos (01–15) survive. Corporate sponsor and coproducer: Precor Realty Advisors; cast sponsor: Linda Manaugh. Special thanks: Marcellus Hankins, Christi Newbury, Jon Womastek, Tom Harrington, Ellen Webster, Doobie Potter, Linda Romanelli, Classen SAS Drama Department. Separate expression of appreciation: Polly Houston, Jenifer Houston-Busche and Alan Busche, Linda Heller, Bridget Hyde. Licensed by Music Theatre International. Supplemental press: The Oklahoman, June 17, 2005 (“Expiring Minds”) and June 24 (“Tabloid-Style Comedy Delivers Laughs”).

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Six Women with Brain Death or Expiring Minds Want to Know (VI)

Cast & Crew

Production Notes