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Six Women With Brain Death... or Expiring Minds Want to Know
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 16, 2000
Closing Date:
July 8, 2000
The cult musical returns with six fearless performers, outrageous tabloid headlines, sharp satire and rock-infused songs. Mark Houston’s irreverent revue takes a hilarious look at consumer culture, celebrity and the absurdities of modern life.
Cast & Crew
CAST:
Mary Freeh — The Women
Renee Preftakes — The Women
Shawn Carey — The Women
Ellen Webster — The Women
Lysandra Dial-Meek — The Women
Emily Etherton — The Women
BAND:
Louise Goldberg — Keyboards
Mary Reynolds — Bass; keyboards
Elyse Angelo — Percussion
CREW:
Rhonda Clark — Director; choreographer; costume construction
Louise Goldberg — Music director; keyboards
Tom Harrington — Set design; lighting design; set construction
Steve Gillmore — Assistant lighting design; set construction
Mary Freeh — Costume design and construction; choreographer
Phil Carlton — Stage manager; light board; costume construction; program design and layout
Melody Harrington, Bob Bates — Set construction
Nick Backes — Specialty set painting
Bob Bates — Sound operator
Lysandra Dial-Meek, Emily Etherton, Taylor Etherton, Robert Erwin, Don Lusk, Adrian Thompson, Joanne Trombley — Costume construction crew
Adrian Thompson — Wig master; running crew
Enoch Elms — Rehearsal pianist
Don Lusk, Joanne Trombley — Voiceovers
Don Lusk — Running crew chief; program design and layout
Lyn Bates, Lane Fields, Matt Simpson, Joanne Trombley, George Zabolski — Running crew
Taylor Etherton, George Zabolski — Spotlight operators
Lysandra Dial-Meek — Program design and layout
Production Notes
The June 16–July 8, 2000 revival was CST’s fifth production of this Mark Houston musical revue, following 1989, 1990, 1994 and 1996 stagings; a sixth followed in 2005. The 2000 cast was Mary Freeh, Renee Preftakes, Shawn Carey, Ellen Webster, Lysandra Dial-Meek and Emily Etherton. Four were returning veterans of earlier editions: Freeh, Preftakes, Carey and Webster. The original CST history documents the extended 1989 debut after the company moved to Main and Hudson; a different 1990 cast directed by Michelle DeLong; a 1994 version directed by Houston that expanded and opened as Eight Women With Brain Death and added Swim Team and Recycling material; and a 1996 revival after Houston’s death, directed by Rhonda Clark and Ron Martin. The original page dedicates the historical series to Houston (1948–1995). A supplemental source incorrectly assigns the 2005 cast (including Jodi Nestander, Amy Northcutt and Abby Tresner) to 2000. The 2000 live band was Louise Goldberg, Mary Reynolds and Elyse Angelo. Production and program credits document extensive overlapping artistic responsibilities. A June 11, 2000 Oklahoman article, “Expiring Minds,” was advance coverage, not a review; a cited June 2005 review concerns the later revival. The 2000 gallery comprises seven original production images and a historical group photograph. Acknowledgments: Hobby Lobby, Oklahoma Children’s Theatre, UCO Theatre Department, Russell Webster, Doug Getzoff, Tuxedo Specialists and Enoch Elms. Produced by Precor Realty Advisors and Carpenter Square Theatre by special arrangement with Music Theatre International.
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