Nancy Opel to Host Abingdon's 6th Annual AB*IE Award Presentation, 5/21

Tony Award-nominee Nancy Opel is set to host Abingdon Theatre Company's Sixth Annual AB*IE Award Presentation at the Abingdon Theatre Arts Complex's June Havoc Theatre (312 West 36th Street, First Floor) on Monday, May 21, beginning at 7:00 pm. The event is free and open to the public.

The AB*IES celebrate all of the artists who create on Abingdon's stages, Abingdon Theatre Company is proud of the roster of artists who collaborate on new American plays. Abingdon's invaluable season subscribers vote for their favorite play, performance, director, scenic, costume, lighting and sound design. Abingdon Theatre Company's celebrated 19th season, which began last October, included three world premieres: BLAME IT ON BECKETT by John Morogiello, directed by Jackob G. Hofmann; LOST ON THE NATCHEZ TRACE by Jan Buttram, directed by Kate Bushmann; and LIFELINE by Frank Tangredi, directed by Jules Ochoa.

Along with an OBIE, Nancy Opel won a 2006 AB*IE Award for her starring role in John Epperson's hilarious spoof, MY DEAH. Her Broadway credits include: FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, URINETOWN (Tony Nomination, Best Actress), SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE, ANYTHING GOES, TRIUMPH OF LOVE, and EVITA. For her work with playwright David Ives, she received Drama Desk, Lortel nominations for POLISH JOKE. She played three characters: the Mayor, Toxie's Mother, and a nun, in the rock musical THE TOXIC AVENGER (Drama Desk, Drama League, Outer Critics Circle, and Lortel nominations for her standout performance). She also played the title character in the first national tour of THE DROWSY CHAPERONE. Her television credits include "Law & Order," "Law & Order: Criminal Intent," "Law & Order: SVU," and "The Big C." She is currently on Broadway in MEMPHIS.

Abingdon Theatre Company is entering its 20th season of developing and producing new plays by American Playwrights, under the guidance of Artistic Director Jan Buttram and Managing Director Samuel J. Bellinger. Since 1993, their actors, directors, designers, producers and dramaturgs have collaborated with more than 200 playwrights to develop original plays. The company provides a safe home in which playwrights collaborate with other theatre artists and receive audience feedback through readings and workout labs, culminating in full productions.

Abingdon Theatre Company's Sixth Annual AB*IE Award Presentation begins at 7:00 pm in the June Havoc Theatre, 312 West 36th Street, First Floor (between 8th and 9th Avenues). Admission is free. No reservation is required. For more information, call 212-868-2055, or visit www.abingdontheatre.org.