Ensemble Studio Theatre Kicks Off 2013 Marathon of One-Acts

Previews began Saturday (May 18) for The Ensemble Studio Theatre's 45-year-old Marathon of One-Act Plays, the longest running, most acclaimed one-act play festival in the country. The theatre's artistic director, William Carden, has selected 16 plays to be presented on THREE separate programs for The Ensemble Studio Theatre's 2013 Marathon of One-Act Plays May 18 through June 29 at The Ensemble Studio Theatre, 549 West 52nd Street.

Some of the highlights include new one-act plays by John Patrick Shanley, Sharr White, Robert Askins and 85-year-old Murray Schisgal.

The remaining 13 playwrights featured this year are Dan O'Brien, Daniel Reitz, Joshua Conkel, Eric Dufault, Leslie Ayvazian, Ryan Dowler, Cori Thomas, Bekah Brunstetter, Tommy Smith, Jon Kern, Christopher Sullivan and Clare Barron.

"This year continues the Marathon's tradition as a multi-generational event by having the broadest age range ever," said Mr. Carden. "We have the 85 year-old Broadway veteran Murray Schisgal at one end and the 24 year-old Ensemble Studio Theatre/Youngblood playwright Eric Dufault at the other. Within the span of this spectrum our audiences will experience an exciting and eclectic mixture of established and emerging voices along with some we are hearing for the first time. Our goal is to present a diverse kaleidoscope of plays telling wildly different and fascinating stories that will make you make laugh, cry and think about the world we live in today."

Series A begins previews May 18 (press perfs begin May 21) for a run through June 2:

Poison by John Patrick Shanley, directed by John Giampietro

Kandahar to Canada by Dan O'Brien, directed by Mark Armstrong

You Belong to Me by Daniel Reitz, directed by Marcia Jean Kurtz

Curmudgeons in Love by Joshua Conkel, directed by Ralph Peña

Something Fine by Eric Dufault, directed by Larissa Lury

Series B begins previews May 28 (press perfs begin May 30) for a run through June 16:

Love Song of an Albanian Sous Chef by Robert Askins, directed by Moritz von Stuelpnagel

A Sunrise in Times Square by Sharr White, directed by Claudia Weill

The Favor by Leslie Ayvazian, directed by Leslie Ayvazian

Something Like Loneliness by Ryan Dowler, directed by Colette Robert

Waking Up by Cori Thomas, directed by Tea Alagic

Daddy Took My Debt Away by Bekah Brunstetter, directed by Jamie Richards

Series C begins previews June 7 (press perfs begin June 9) for a run through through June 29:

Existence by Murray Schisgal, directed by Peter Maloney

Zero by Tommy Smith, directed by William Carden

Not the Triumph but the Struggle by Jon Kern, directed by R.J. Tolan

Carry the Zero by Christopher Sullivan, directed by Andrew Grosso

Solar Plexus by Clare Barron, directed by Nelson Eusebio

The Ensemble Studio Theatre is located at 549 West 52nd Street, west of Tenth Avenue. Ensemble Studio Theatre 2013 Marathon single tickets are $18, student/senior tickets are $15 and a Three Series Pass is $45 with a Two Series Pass at $30. To order tickets call 866.811.4111 or click www.ovationtix.com/trs/cal/134.