London Hit I LOVED LUCY Coming to Lucille Lortel Theatre for One-Night-Only

Gary DiMauro, Therese Steiner, and Showstoppers NY present a special engagement of I LOVED LUCY, Lee Tannen's loving and candid play about his friendship with Lucille Ball, on Thursday, July 21 at 8pm at the Lucille Lortel Theatre (121 Christopher Street). Direct from the play's critically acclaimed London premiere at the Jermyn Street Theatre, Sandra Dickinson reprises her celebrated performance as Lucy. Jermyn Street Theatre's Artistic Director Anthony Biggs is set to direct.

Proceeds from this one-night-only event benefit Abingdon Theatre Company and its mission to develop and produce new work.

I LOVED LUCY is a personal portrait of an iconic comedic entertainer whose public face is all too well known. But what was Lucille Ball really like and how did she choose to live her life... at the end of her life? Out of the spotlight.

Based on his memoir, Lee Tannen's funny, bittersweet play reveals the real-life Lucy and what it was like being her friend to the end.

Joining Ms. Dickinson in the two-person cast is Stefan Menaul as Lee.

Sandra Dickinson's Broadway credits include the Royal National Theatre production of Tennessee Williams' Not About Nightingales. Her West End credits include Singin' in the Rain, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Orpheus Descending, The Graduate, A Streetcar Named Desire, Out of Order, and Light Up the Sky, among many others.

Stefan Menaul returns to the role of Lee, which he played in London. A graduate of Guildhall School of Music and Dance, his theatre credits include Dirty Dancing (Picadilly Theatre), Off the Cliff (Theatre503), and Ice Cream (Southwark Playhouse).

I LOVED LUCY features costume and set design by Gregor Donnelly. It is being produced by Gary DiMauro, Therese Steiner, and Showstoppers NY to benefit Abingdon Theatre Company.

In 2010, playwright Lee Tannen adapted his bestselling memoir I LOVED LUCY for the stage, where it premiered at The Laguna Playhouse. His other work includes the new libretto for Dr. Dolittle, starring and directed by Tommy Tune, and the Drama-Desk-nominated musical The Audience. He has written material for Joan Rivers, Elizabeth Taylor and Shirley MacLaine.

Director Anthony Biggs is the Artistic Director of Jermyn Street Theatre, where he has directed The First Man by Eugene O'Neill, Ivy and Joan by James Hogan, Flowers of the Forest by John Van Druten, Fever by Reva de Wet, The Potsdam Quartet by David Pinner, On Approval by Frederick Lonsdale, St. John's Night and Little Eyolf by Henrik Ibsen, and many others.

I LOVED LUCY had its London premiere in early 2016 at Jermyn Street Theatre, London's leading Off-West End studio theatre, where it received critical acclaim: "Funny and engaging. Sandra Dickinson gives a sublime tour-de-force performance"-Stage Review; "Sandra Dickinson gives a master class every acting student should see up close and be inspired"-Broadwayworld.com; "A miracle to watch. Sandra Dickinson give a blazing performance"-The Stage; "Fantastically funny and incredibly touching"-UK Theatre Network; "Sandra Dickinson is incredible"-Gay Times; "A fantastic night's entertainment"-London Theatre 1; "Extraordinarily funny...a joy to watch"-British Theatre Guide.

Now in its 23rd Season, Abingdon Theatre Company is dedicated to developing and producing new American plays by emerging and established playwrights. Under the artistic direction of Tony Speciale, who joined Abingdon in October 2015, the company provides a safe home where playwrights, directors and actors can collaborate within a supportive and nurturing environment. Abingdon searches for stories about the human experience that reflect our social, political, historical and cultural diversity. To date, the company has collaborated with more than 200 playwrights, produced 86 New York and world-premiere plays, presented more than 700 readings, staged 200 ten-minute plays, and commissioned 6 one-act plays. Notable artists who have worked with Abingdon Theatre Company include Carl Andress, Bryan Batt, Reed Birney, Robert Brustein, Mario Cantone, Maxwell Caulfield, Dick Cavett, John Epperson, Jane Greenwood, Ralph Macchio, Roberta Maxwell, Iddo Netanyahu, Nancy Opel, Austin Pendleton, Sam Pinkleton, Marcia Rodd and Mark Waldrop. Abingdon's 2014 production of Brian Richard Mori's Hellman v. McCarthy, directed by founding artistic director Jan Buttram, was filmed and presented by WNET as part of its inaugural Theatre Close-Up series. Presently at Abingdon is Stet, written by Kim Davies and directed by Tony Speciale, running June 11-July 3.

I LOVED LUCY runs Thursday, July 21 at 8pm at the Lucille Lortel Theatre (121 Christopher Street). Tickets are priced $140, Premium Seating; $99, Regular Seating; and $69, Selected Discount Seating. For reservations, visit www.abingdontheatre.org or call 212-352-3101.

Photo by Scott Rylander

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