Abingdon Gala Honors Tyne Daly Tonight, 11/19

Abingdon Theatre Company – which has produced more than 77 new American plays in its 20-year history – has announced that its 20th Anniversary Gala and dinner is set for tonight, November 19 at Espace (635 West 42nd Street) Manhattan, beginning at 6pm.

ABINGDON: SETTING THE STAGE FOR 20 YEARS, initially set for Monday, October 29, promises to be one of excitement and entertainment, will honor Tony and Emmy Award-winning actress Tyne Daly (GYPSY, MASTER CLASS, "Cagney & Lacey"). The gala also honors businessman Sam D. Altman, who has served on Abingdon's Board of Directors for ten years, and Press Agent Shirley Herz, who was awarded a special Tony Award for excellence in the theatre in 2009 and has represented Abingdon Theatre Company since 1999.

Proceeds benefit Abingdon Theatre Company's mission to develop and produce new plays by American Playwrights. Abingdon Theatre Company's 20h Annual Benefit Gala features tributes to all three honorees and Abingdon Founding Members.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected by the storm," says Artistic Director Jan Buttram. "Our annual fundraising gala is a big event for a little company like Abingdon Theatre," she explains. "It would be a substantial loss for the theater not to proceed with this benefit. We are so grateful that our honorees, co-hosts and performers have been able to rearrange their schedules to make this exciting evening possible."

Lucie Arnaz (DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS, THEY'RE PLAYING OUR SONG) and Tony-nominee Laurence Luckinbill (THE SHADOW BOX, TEDDY TONIGHT!) are set to co-host the gala. The evening includes special performances by Tony-nominee Jonathan Hadary, who co-starred opposite Ms. Daly in GYPSY and will appear this season in GOLDEN BOY, and Julie Halston, recently seen on Broadway in ANYTHING GOES and Off-Broadway in THE DIVINE SISTER.

Presenters and special guests are to be announced.

Tyne Daly recently starred in MASTER CLASS on Broadway and in London, reprising the role of Maria Callas, which she also played at The Kennedy Center. A renowned stage, screen and television actress, Ms. Daly's stage work has won her numerous awards, including a Tony for her performance as Rose in the highly successful 1989 revival of GYPSY and a Tony nomination for RABBIT HOLE. Her TV appearances are too numerous to list, but she is best known for her work on "Cagney & Lacey" (four Emmys), "Judging Amy" (Emmy) and "Christy" (Emmy), in addition to appearances on "Burn Notice" and "Grey's Anatomy," and in several TV films. She has received 16 Emmy nominations. Film work includes "Georgia," with Joan Allen and Jeremy Irons. Ms. Daly was trained at the American Shakespeare Festival, Brandeis University, and the American Musical and Dramatic Academy.

Since 1993, Abingdon Theatre Company has developed and produced new plays by American Playwrights exclusively. Their actors, directors, designers, producers and dramaturgs have collaborated with more than 200 playwrights to develop original plays. Under the guidance of Artistic Director Jan Buttram and Managing Director Samuel Bellinger, the company provides a safe home in which playwrights collaborate with other theatre artists and receive audience feedback through the utilization of a four-step development process: Page 2 Stage, Staged Readings, and Workout Labs, which culminate in Studio and Mainstage Productions.

Currently at Abingdon Theatre Company, with performances running through November 18 is Mike Vogel's MARCH MADNESS, directed by Donald Brenner.

Tickets to ABINGDON: SETTING THE STAGE FOR 20 YEARS, Abingdon Theatre Company's 20th Annual Benefit Gala, rescheduled to tonight, November 19 at Espace (635 West 42nd Street), 6pm-10pm, begin at $400. To purchase tickets, contact Heather Henderson at Abingdon Theatre Company, 212-868-2055.

Page 2 »