BLAME IT ON BECKETT, NATCHEZ TRACE et al. Featured in Abingdon Theatre Company's 19th Season

Abingdon Theatre Company - which has produced more than 60 new American plays in its 18-year history - launches its 2011-2012 Season of three world premieres, beginning this fall with BLAME IT ON BECKETT by John Morogiello, author of the recent Abingdon hit ENGAGING SHAW, set to begin previews October 7, prior to its official press opening October 16, at the Abingdon Theatre Complex's Dorothy Strelsin Theatre (312 West 36th Street), directed by Jackob G. Hofmann.

In February 2012, the company continues its 19th Season with LOST ON THE NATCHEZ TRACE by Abingdon Theatre Company's Artistic Director Jan Buttram, author of PHANTOM KILLER, directed by Kate Bushmann. Abingdon Theatre Company's season concludes, in March 2012, with LIFELINE by Frank Tangredi, winner of the 2008 Brian Wolk Award for his play PASTORAL, directed by Jules Ochoa.

Following are details about Abingdon Theatre Company's 2011-12 Season:

BLAME IT ON BECKETT
October 7-30, 2011
Written by John Morogiello
Directed by Jackob G. Hofmann

Abingdon Theatre Company's 19th Season starts with BLAME IT ON BECKETT- a comedy that bites the hand that feeds it - by John Morogiello, author of Abingdon's recent hit production ENGAGING SHAW. Set in the literary office of a regional theatre, BLAME IT ON BECKETT centers on an intern struggling to balance her artistic integrity against the demands of her personal and professional life.

In addition to ENGAGING SHAW, presented to great acclaim at Abingdon Theatre Company, playwright John Morogiello's work includes the FringeNYC hit IRISH AUTHORS HELD HOSTAGE; STONEWALL'S BUST; BUSHWA! A MODERN UBU; MEN AND PARTS; and the award-winning screenplay HAPPY HOUR ("Best Short Comedy," 2003 NY Independent Film and Video Festival).

BLAME IT ON BECKETT reunites Morogiello with director Jackob G. Hofmann, who helmed ENGAGING SHAW. 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.

BLAME IT ON BECKETT opens Sunday, October 16, 2011.

LOST ON THE NATCHEZ TRACE
February 3-26, 2012
Written by Jan Buttram
Directed by Kate Bushmann

Abingdon's Artistic Director Jan Buttram, author of PHANTOM KILLER, brings us the story of Malcolm, a slave auctioneer in 1825 that falls from his mule and into a Mississippi swamp. Unable to walk, without food or water, strength fading, his apparent salvation arrives when Tom, a runaway slave appears. A desperate negotiation ensues as Tom represents Malcolm's only hope.

Jan Buttram's plays include TEXAS HOMOS; THE PARKER FAMILY CIRCUS; ZONA, THE GHOST OF GREENBRIER; PRIVATE BATTLES; GLORY GIRLS; THE PRESIDENT AND HER MISTRESS; and PHANTOM KILLER, which the company presented in 2010.

Director Kate Bushmann previously helmed Abingdon Theatre Company's productions of John Petrick's BEYOND RECOGNITION and THE APPEARANCE OF IMPROPRIETY. As an actress, she appeared on the Abingdon stage in its premiere of Barbara Dana's WAR IN PARAMUS, directed by Austin Pendleton.

To celebrate Black History Month, LOST ON THE NATCHEZ TRACE opens Sunday, February 12, 2012.

LIFELINE
March 9 - April 1, 2012
by Frank Tangredi
directed by Jules Ochoa

Abingdon Theatre Company concludes its 19th Season with LIFELINE by Frank Tangredi, winner of the 2008 Christopher Brian Wolk Award. LIFELINE tells the story of Pete, a middle-aged man who is divorced and unemployed, with a habit of wanting to fix things, whether they be pipes or lives. Pete's current "project" is his tenant Ken, a troubled- and possibly suicidal - young writer. Using poker and softball as bait, Pete tries to draw Ken out of his melancholy. But when an unwelcome visitor arrives, this blue-collar Good Samaritan discovers that some lives may not be so easy to fix.

Frank Tangredi's PASTORAL, which won the playwright the Christopher Brian Wolk Award, will be produced as part of Pasadena Playhouse's 2011 Season. His previous works include GALATEA, DYLAN'S DAD'S, THACKERAY'S GHOST, ALONG THE FAULTLINE, EARLY, MILK, OF DOGS AND DOLPHINS, and BROTHER AND HIS KEEPERS.

Jules Ochoa directed Joel Field's HOW I FELL IN LOVE, presented last season at Abingdon Theatre Company. Other credits include Jan Buttram's PHANTOM KILLER and Frawley Becker's TIGER BY THE TAIL. As an assistant director, he has worked on Broadway's HIGH SOCIETY as well as revivals of MAN OF LA MANCHA and ROCKY HORROR SHOW.

LIFELINE opens Sunday, March 18, 2012.

Casts and creative teams are to be announced.

Abingdon Theatre Company's 2011-2012 Season productions are Equity Approved Showcases.

Single ticket prices are $25. Performances run Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7pm; Friday and Saturdays at 8pm; with 2pm matinees on Saturdays and Sundays. For more information about Abingdon Theatre Company (312 West 36th Street) and its upcoming season, call 212-868-2055 or visit www.abingdontheatre.org.

 

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