Joel Fields Awarded Abingdon Playwriting Honor, Ceremony Held 11/9 At June Havoc Theatre

Abingdon Theatre Company, in an ongoing effort to recognize excellence in playwriting, is set to present its 2009 CHRISTOPHER BRIAN WOLK AWARD to author Joel Fields, best-known for writing episodes of TV's "Ugly Betty," "Raising the Bar," "Commander in Chief" and "Dirt," for his new play HOW I FELL IN LOVE, during an award ceremony and staged reading on Monday, November 9 at 7:30pm at Abingdon Theatre Arts Complex's June Havoc Theatre (312 West 36th Street). Jules Ochoa to direct.

Dedicated to developing and producing new plays by American Playwrights, Abingdon Theatre Company 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.

Since 2001, the CHRISTOPHER BRIAN WOLK AWARD has been given annually to authors of full-length plays 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 Glacier National Park, Montana. To honor his memory, Abingdon Theatre Company and the Wolk family have created the award to celebrate excellence in playwriting. The late Mr. Wolk worked extensively with Abingdon including both the workshop and the mainstage productions of ZONA, THE GHOST OF GREENBRIER. Recipients receive a $1,000 cash prize and a staged reading of the award-winning script.

Joel Fields' HOW I FELL IN LOVE was nominated along with six other scripts from over 400 plays submitted to Abingdon during its 2008-2009 season. A five-member selection committee -- composed of actors, directors, critics and playwrights -- determined the winning script. Mr. Fields' play was chosen through a blind selection process where judges did not have the name or other information about the playwrights of the nominated scripts.

In HOW I FELL IN LOVE, two lost souls haplessly seek romance as they stumble into adulthood. When they accidentally find their way into each other's lives, they discover that their individual stories may be more intertwined than they could have ever imagined...and they start to question the meaning of fate, friendship, and true love.

The cast of HOW I FELL IN LOVE is to be announced.

Joel Fields recently served as a writer/producer on "Raising the Bar" for Steven Bochco and TNT. Prior to that he was a writer and executive-producer on ABC's Golden Globe-winning series "Ugly Betty" and on the FX series "Dirt," starring Courtney Cox. He also wrote and produced "Commander in Chief," which received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Dramatic Series of 2005-06 and "Over There," Steven Bochco's critically acclaimed series about the Iraq war.

Mr. Fields has written and produced numerous other film and television projects, including made-for-television movies and mini-series. Among the series he has produced is "Kate Brasher" for CBS, starring Mary Stuart Masterson, with whom he co-starred in BABES IN ARMS at Stagedoor Manor.

In addition to HOW I FELL IN LOVE, Mr. Fields' recent theater pursuits include co-authoring a new book for Cole Porter's classic musical CAN-CAN with director David Lee. Their script received a National Endowment for the Arts grant as part of the NEA's American Masterpieces: Three Generations of Artistic Genius project. It premiered at the Pasadena Playhouse in 2007 to sold-out houses and was honored with four L.A. Theater Ovation Awards.

In the film world, Mr. Fields' original screenplay, "The Interrogator," was sold to FOX 2000. He has written numerous screenplays, and is currently writing a feature film based on the inspirational story of the a capella group "Straight No Chaser."

He serves on the board of OneVoice, a global project giving voice to Israeli and Palestinian moderates. He also served a six-year board term for TreePeople, one of L.A.'s most active environmental organizations, and has served on boards and committees for many other charity and community organizations. Mr. Fields lives in Los Angeles. He and his wife, Jessica, will attend the ceremony.

Jules Ochoa was assistant director of the Broadway revivals, MAN OF LA MANCHA and THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW, and HIGH SOCIETY. Off-Broadway, he helmed TIGER BY THE TAIL at Wings Theatre Company. In early 2010, he will direct the world-premiere of Jan Buttram's new play PHANTOM KILLER.

Previous winners of the CHRISTOPHER BRIAN WOLK AWARD include Frank Tangredi, whose play PASTORAL will be produced next year at the Pasadena Playhouse, and Daniel Damiano, whose play DREAMS OF FRIENDLY ALIENS was produced by Abingdon in 2007.

Abingdon Theatre Company, celebrating its 17th season is led by Artistic Director Jan Buttram and Managing Director Samuel J. Bellinger.

The 2009 CHRISTOPHER BRIAN WOLK AWARD ceremony takes place on Monday, November 9 at Abingdon Theatre Arts Complex's June Havoc Theatre (312 West 36th Street); beginning at 7:30pm, a wine reception will follow the staged reading. The event is free, and open to the public. Seating is limited. For reservations or more information about Abingdon Theatre Company and its upcoming season, visit www.abingdontheatre.org.