Abingdon Theatre Company, in an ongoing effort to recognize excellence in playwriting, established the Christopher Brian Wolk Award to be presented annually to an American writer of a full-length play not produced in New York City. The award is based upon the writer's
demonstrated ability to reach a mature artistic vision using theatre. Mr. Canfora will receive the $1,000 cash award and a staged reading of the script, directed by Evan Bergman, at the award ceremony starting at 7:00PM in the June Havoc Theatre, 312 West 36th Street, Midtown, Manhattan.
Poetic License was nominated along with eight other scripts from nearly 400 play submissions submitted to Abingdon during its 2010-2011 season. A five-member selection committee, including actors, directors, playwrights, determined the winning script. Mr. Canfora's script was chosen through a blind selection process where judges did not have the name or other information about the playwrights of the nominated scripts.
Poetic License is a hard-hitting comic drama that tackles the notions of ownership and belonging in exciting and unexpected ways. How far would you go to protect the truth? How far would you go to expose a lie? John Greer is a renowned poet who lives a happy, quiet life, revered by both the public and his daughter, Katherine. He affably mediates the skirmishes between Katherine and his quick-witted, quick-tempered wife. But when Katherine brings home her new boyfriend,
John's enviable, well-ordered universe is irrevocably jarred in ways that threaten to alter his career, his family, and his sense of self.
Poetic License will receive its New York premiere production by The Directors Company in association with New Jersey Repertory Company at 59E59 Theatres in February 2012.
Abingdon Theatre Company, celebrating its 19th season, is led by Artistic Director Jan Buttram and Managing Director Samuel J. Bellinger. Abingdon is dedicated to developing and producing new plays by American playwrights.
The prize is given annually since 2001 to full-length scripts
submitted to Abingdon during its current season. The award is named
after Christopher Brian Wolk, a talented and creative actor, musician,
singer, writer and composer who died in an accident in National
Glacier Park, Montana. To honor his memory, Abingdon Theatre Company
and the Wolk family have created the award to celebrate excellence in
playwriting. Christopher worked extensively with Abingdon, including
both the workshop and the main stage productions of Zona, the Ghost of
Greenbrier.
Jack Canfora's plays have been read and performed throughout the United States and England since 2001. His first full-length play, Place Setting, was read in Los Angeles in September 2005, and starred Steven Weber and Jon Cryer. In June 2007, the New Jersey Repertory
Theatre staged Place Setting where it received excellent notices. The New York Times wrote that the play has "unusually punchy writing" while the New Jersey Star-Ledger raved that the play is "funny and fascinating," had "wonderfully incisive wit" and "tells the truth about how 21st century men and women view relationships." The paper named it, along with plays by Teresa Rebeck, Elaine May and Edward Albee, as one of the best plays of 2007.
Jericho was named a winner of the 2010 National New Play Network and premiered this October at The New Jersey Repertory Company as one of three theaters producing it as part of the NNPN's Rolling World Premiere series. The New York Times called the play "a lovely, humorous work with laughs that resolve into a meditation on the pains and satisfactions of living after a tragedy," adding "Mr. Canfora has delivered a smart, hard-hitting drama filled with biting wit." The
Newark Star -Ledger raved "Canfora's dialogue shows a true writer at work."
Jack served as a writer for the award winning and tragically defunct internet magazine Angst American Style, where his work was featured on CNN. His sketch comedy writing was frequently seen in Greenwich Village in the late 90's and on the main stage of the world famous comedy club "Caroline's."
He has two children, Ben and Emma, and lives in East Northport New York, with his girlfriend and puppy. He also knows an uncomfortable amount of information about the Beatles.
The award ceremony takes place on Monday, November 14, at the June Havoc Theatre (312 West 36th Street) beginning at 7:00pm. A wine reception will follow the staged reading. The ceremony is open to the public free of charge. For more information about Abingdon Theatre
Company (312 West 36th Street) and its 19th season, visit www.abingdontheatre.org.
