Holland Taylor, Frank Langella & More Set for Abingdon's Annual Gala Honoring Greenwood, Henderson & Sendroff; Jay-Alexander Directs

Abingdon Theatre Company is set to celebrate its 2015-2016 Season with ABINGDON: REFLECTIONS OF STARLIGHT, its annual benefit gala and dinner, on Monday, October 26 at Espace (635 West 42nd Street in Manhattan). Richard Jay-Alexander, best known for directing Barbra Streisand and other artists in concert, is set to direct the event, which begins at 6:00pm.

The entertaining evening honors Tony Award-winning costume designer Jane Greenwood, who designed Abingdon's acclaimed production of Hellman v. McCarthy; Abingdon Theatre Company's Vice Chair and former Managing Director, Heather Henderson; and one of New York's most prominent lawyers in entertainment, Mark Sendroff.

Proceeds benefit Abingdon Theatre Company's mission to develop and produce new plays. Abingdon Theatre Company's 23rd Annual Benefit Gala features tributes to the honorees, plus entertainment, silent and live auctions, and exciting surprises throughout the night

Under Richard Jay-Alexander's direction, the evening features special appearances by Lucie Arnaz, Walter Bobbie, Hunter Ryan Herdlicka, Frank Langella, Linda Lavin, Roberta Maxwell, Marilyn Maye, Billy Stritch, and Holland Taylor.

Presented with the Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement, Jane Greenwood has designed costumes for more than 130 Broadway shows. Her credits extend to film and television. She designed costumes for Abingdon's production of Brian Richard Mori's Hellman v. McCarthy. Abingdon honors Ms. Greenwood's artistic excellence in the American theatre.

Currently Abingdon's Vice Chair, Heather Henderson has served on its Board for six years, joining the staff as Director of Development and Managing Director. She successfully negotiated sending Abingdon's production of The Last Will to China's Wuzhen Theatre Festival and the taping of Hellman v. McCarthy for the inaugural season of "Theater Close-Up" on WNET/Thirteen. Abingdon honors Ms. Henderson's excellence in theatre management.

Super Lawyers Magazine has repeatedly included Mark D. Sendroff in its list of leading entertainment attorneys in New York. His clients range from beginners to legends from all walks of show business. Throughout a career spanning 40 years to date, he has guided countless award-winning productions, organizations and artists in the fields of theatre, cabaret, music, film and television. Abingdon honors Mr. Sendroff's legendary generosity to independent theatre artists.

Since 1993, Abingdon Theatre Company has developed and produced new plays by established and emerging playwrights. Under the guidance of Artistic Director Jan Buttram, the company provides a safe home where playwrights collaborate with other theatre artists and receive audience feedback through readings and workout labs, culminating in full productions.

The 2015 Gala Committee includes Sam Altman, Nanda and Dr. Vijay Anand, Sheila and Randall S. Burkert, Melanie Coronetz and Bruce Miller, Hilary Edson and Lyon Polk, GFH Family Foundation, Judy and Steven Gluckstern, Barbara Henderson, Susan R. Hoffman, Anne Howard, Holly and George Mandala, Loretta McCarthy, Jerry Mitchell, Pamela and Doug Paul, Betsy and Robert Pitts, Neal A. Prince, Barbara Randall & The Garment District Alliance, Timothy P. Speiss, and Kenny and Lorraine Werner.

Abingdon Theatre Company's 2015-2016 season begins October 2 with the world premiere of Cut Throat by JB Reich. Directed by Mark Waldrop, the new play examines the meaning of children, parenthood, marriage-and New York City private shool admissions -as parents Amy and Ben try to find the best preschool for their 3-year-old son. Performances run through October 25 in the Dorothy Strelsin Theatre (312 West 36th Street).

ABINGDON: REFLECTIONS OF STARLIGHT, Abingdon Theatre Company's 23rd Annual Benefit Gala, is Monday, October 26 at Espace (635 West 42nd Street), 6pm-10pm. Individual tickets begin at $500 and are available at www.abingdontheatre.org To purchase a table or journal advertisement, please contact Barbara Toy at 212-868-2055 or e-mail btoy@abingdontheatre.org.

Photo by Jennifer Broski