Six Women with Brain Death or Expiring Minds Want to Know (V)
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
Production Notes
Production History
Six Women with Brain Death (or Expiring Minds Want to Know) closed CST’s Season 21 (2004–2005) at Stage Center, 400 W. Sheridan Avenue. This was CST’s sixth staging of its self-described all-time audience favorite, following productions in 1989, 1990, 1994, 1996, and 2000. The company introduced fresh staging, choreography, and scenic elements and advertised two added performances in response to ticket demand. The revue combines Mark Houston’s music and lyrics with a collaboratively written book. Its sketches parody tabloid headlines, soap operas, self-help television, high-school reunions, Barbie and Ken’s wedding night, and other pop-cultural absurdities. Four musicians provided live accompaniment.
CST Connections
Mary Freeh, Renee Preftakes, and Emily Etherton returned from the 2000 revival.
Contemporary Journal Recordcoverage identifies Freeh and Preftakes as making their fifth appearances in the show and Etherton her third. journalrecord.com
Cheryl Varnell also choreographed CST’s 1990 production.
Rhonda Clark directed the 2000 revival and co-directed the 1996 production with Ron Martin.
Mary Freeh combined performance and costume responsibilities in both the 2000 and 2005 revivals.
Bob Cross, Tom Gibson, Nick Backes, Don Lusk, and Phil Carlton also contributed to the 2000 revival.
Emily Etherton previously played Josie Hines in Proposals (1999) and Carolyn Symons in Murder in Green Meadows (2002).
Mona Cross later contributed properties, backstage, and dresser work to Picnic (2007).
Michelle Swink later played Izzy in Rabbit Hole (2008).
E. Danyel Siler, credited as Danyel Siler in the supplied Rabbit Hole record, also designed costumes for that production.
Mary Freeh’s membership in The BackRow is documented in the contemporary Journal Record column, providing an ensemble-history connection to CST’s earlier Sing Along with the Back Row event without establishing her participation in that 1999 engagement. journalrecord.com
Press and Photography
“Around Town: Hooray for CST” — The Journal Record, August 16, 2004, advance season coverage advertising June 17–July 9, 2005. journalrecord.com
“Expiring Minds” — The Oklahoman, June 17, 2005, supplied opening-day coverage lead.
“Around Town: Fashion Parade” — The Journal Record, June 22, 2005, Joan Gilmore’s column includes an “Expiring Minds” section confirming all six performers and identifying Clark, musical director “Steve Elkins,” and Varnell. It appeared after opening, rather than before it. journalrecord.com
“‘Brain Death’ Revue Proves to Be Boisterous, Uneven” — The Oklahoman, June 24, 2005, review lead. The page could not be retrieved to verify its author or full text.
“Tabloid-Style Comedy Delivers Laughs” — The Oklahoman, June 24, 2005, an additional title supplied in the research; whether this is separate coverage or an alternate headline remains unresolved.
Acknowledgments
Corporate Sponsor / Co-Producer — 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.
Licensing
Licensed through Music Theatre International, according to the original CST record. Current performance licensing remains available through Music Theatre International.