Abingdon Theatre Presents Warren Kelley in ENGAGING SHAW, 4/9-5/2

Abingdon Theatre Company presents the New York premiere of John Morogiello's ENGAGING SHAW -- a new Off-Broadway play following the real-life courtship and battle of wits between socialite Charlotte Payne-Townshend and playwright George Bernard Shaw -- with Off-Broadway previews to begin April 9, prior to its official press opening April 18 at Abingdon Theatre Arts Complex's Dorothy Strelsin Theatre (312 West 36th Street) in Manhattan. Jackob G. Hofmann to direct.

In ENGAGING SHAW, wealthy heiress Charlotte Payne-Townshend sets her sights on the famed author of PYGMALION, MRS. WARREN'S PROFESSION, and MAJOR BARBARA. A confirmed bachelor and philanderer, Shaw is a challenge for Ms. Payne-Townshend, who is determined to romance an
unromantic man.

Warren Kelley, last seen Off-Broadway in Abingdon Theatre Company's FREUDIAN SLIPS in 2009, leads the cast as George Bernard Shaw. Joining Mr. Kelley in the cast are Marc Geller, Jamee Vance, and Claire Warden.

ENGAGING SHAW features set design by Ken Larson; costume design by Deborah Caney; lighting design by Matthew McCarthy; and music design by Larry Spivack. John Trevellini is Production Manager; Mickey McGuire is Production Stage Manager.

Playwright John Morogiello's plays include the FringeNYC hit IRISH AUTHORS HELD HOSTAGE (Outstanding Production, Washington Theatre Festival); STONEWALL'S BUST; BUSHWA: A MODERN UBU; and ABSOLUTE AMY; He also wrote the award-winning screenplay for HAPPY HOUR ("Best Short Comedy," 2003 NY Independent Film and Video Festival).

Director Jackob G. Hofmann currently works as a director and coordinator with Abingdon Theatre Company's ongoing reading series. He has also worked with Rattlestick Productions, The Workshop Theatre Co., TheatreWorks USA, Westport County Playhouse, and among others, Downtown Cabaret Theatre. He is founder and artistic director of the Aurora Theatre Ensemble.

Since 1993, Abingdon Theatre Company has developed and produced new plays by American Playwrights exclusively. Our 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 Sam 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.

Abingdon Theatre Company opened its current season last October with Robert Cary and Benjamin Feldman's INVENTING AVI, directed by Mark Waldrop. In January, the company presented the world premiere of PHANTOM KILLER, by playwright and Abingdon Artistic Director Jan Buttram, directed by Jules Ochoa. SISTER MYOTIS' BIBLE CAMP by Steve Swift will close out the season June 11-July 4.

ENGAGING SHAW runs April 9-May 2 at Abingdon Theatre Arts Complex's Dorothy Strelsin Theatre (312 West 36th Street): Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:00pm; Fridays at 8:00pm; Saturdays at 2:00pm and 8:00pm; and Sundays at 2:00pm (with the following exceptions: special opening night performance, Sunday, April 18 at 5:00pm; no 2:00pm that day). Tickets are $25; www.abingdontheatre.org or 212-868-2055.

Photo of Warren Kelley

 

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