HELLMAN v. MCCARTHY with Dick Cavett Begins Performances Off-Broadway Tomorrow

Abingdon Theatre Company continues its 21st Season with HELLMAN v. McCARTHY by Brian Richard Mori (author of Adult Fiction and Bedtime Stories), with previews set to begin Friday, March 14, prior to an official press opening Wednesday, March 26 in Abingdon Theatre Arts Complex's June Havoc Theatre (312 West 36th Street). Off-Broadway performances run through Sunday, April 13. Jan Buttram, Artistic Director of Abingdon Theatre Company, is set to direct this world-premiere production, starring Dick Cavett, Roberta Maxwell and Marcia Rodd.

The greatest literary feud in modern American history began on January 25, 1980 when literary critic Mary McCarthy appeared as a guest on "The Dick Cavett Show" and declared that "every word [playwright Lillian Hellman] writes is a lie, including 'and' and 'the.'" Hellman went ballistic and sued McCarthy for libel, sparking a law suit that spanned more than four years. HELLMAN v. McCARTHY is a roller coaster ride filled with comedy and pathos.

Emmy Award-winner Dick Cavett ("The Dick Cavett Show," Into the Woods, The Rocky Horror Show) is set to portray himself, recreating his role in the historical events depicted in HELLMAN v. McCARTHY.

Joining Mr. Cavett are Drama Desk and Obie Award-winner Roberta Maxwell (Equus, Ivanov, Brokeback Mountain) as Lillian Hellman and Tony Award-nominee Marcia Rodd (Shelter, Last of the Red Hot Lovers, "Trapper John, M.D.") as Mary McCarthy.

Completing the cast are Peter Brouwer (Lost on the Natchez Trace, Bodega Bay), Rowan Michael Meyer (Flea's Benito Cereno, APAC's Blood Brothers), and Jeff Woodman (Cymbeline, A Pirate's Lullaby).

The design team includes set design by Andrew Lu, costume design by Tony Award-nominee Jane Greenwood, lighting design by Travis McHale, and sound design by Ian Wehrle. Production Stage Manager is Mark Hoffner.

Abingdon Theatre Company launched its 21st Season of producing new American plays with the world premiere of Fix Me, Jesus by Helen Sneed, directed by Sam Pinkleton, this past November. Jan Buttram is Artistic Director and Heather Henderson is Managing Director of Abingdon Theatre Company.

Off-Broadway performances of HELLMAN v. McCARTHY begin Friday, March 14 and run through Sunday, April 13: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7pm; Fridays at 8pm; Saturdays at 2pm and 8pm; and Sundays at 2pm at Abingdon Theatre Company's June Havoc Theatre (312 West 36th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues). All tickets are $40. For tickets, call 866-811-4111 or visit www.abingdontheatre.org.

For more about Abingdon Theatre Company, visit www.abingdontheatre.org

Photo by Oscar A. Zagal

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