MARCH MADNESS, THE LAST WILL and More Set for Abingdon Theatre Company's 2012-13 Season of New Works

Abingdon Theatre Company-which has produced more than 77 new American plays in its 20-year history-launches its 2012-2013 Season, beginning this fall with the world premiere of MARCH MADNESS by Mike Vogel, set to begin previews October 26, prior to its official press opening November 4, at the Abingdon Theatre Company's Dorothy Strelsin Theatre (312 West 36th Street), directed by Donald Brenner.

On January 25, 2013, the company continues its 20th Anniversary Season with the world premiere of BODEGA BAY by Elisabeth Karlin, directed by Sturgis Warner; followed, on April 5, by the world premiere of THE LAST WILL by Robert Brustein, directed by Austin Pendleton. Abingdon Theatre Company's season concludes with the New York premiere of THE GOOD BOY by Michael Bonnabel, beginning previews April 26, directed by Darin Anthony.

Following are details about Abingdon Theatre Company's 20th Anniversary Season:

MARCH MADNESS
by Mike Vogel
directed by Donald Brenner
October 26 - November 18, 2012
World premiere in the Dorothy Strelsin Theatre

With the economy struggling and newspapers dying, Maury and his fellow reporters devise a desperate plan that will allow one of them to escape office hell and live his or her dream. The office sports pool, once a fun diversion, becomes deadly serious when the ante is substantially raised, and what's at stake becomes no less than their lives. And yes, it's a comedy!

Mike Vogel is a freelance journalist whose op-ed pieces have been published in Newsweek, New York Daily News, New York Post and Metro. He is the founder of the popular blog newyorkgritty.net. Director Donald Brenner returns to Abingdon, having previously directed Sherman Yellen's DECEMBER FOOLS. His other credits include the NYMF hit THE MOST RIDICULOUS THING YOU EVER HOID, CRITICAL MASS, and ALI BABA.

Opening of MARCH MADNESS is set for Sunday, November 4, 2012.

BODEGA BAY
by Elisabeth Karlin
directed by Sturgis Warner
January 25 - February 17, 2013
World premiere in the Dorothy Strelsin Theatre

Nobody notices or remembers Louise Finch. With her life in shambles, this shy and awkward soul who has never ventured beyond Staten Island, sets out into the dangerous unknown to find the mother who left her and her troubled brother years earlier. It is a strange and zany odyssey that hurls Louise across a country populated by the peculiar and turns this insignificant spectator into an active participant in a chaotic world.

Elisabeth Karlin's play THE MOONCALF was presented by Abingdon Theatre Company in 2001, directed by Sturgis Warner. Her other plays include LUCY'S LAST DATE, BLUE COLLAR BAY, A MOTHER'S PRAYER and 7th INNING STRETCH. Mr. Warner's credits include Najla Said's PALESTINE, Ian Cohen's LENNY & LOU, and among others, Michael John Garces' SUITS and UP FOR AIR. He is the co-artistic director of Twilight Theatre Company and has directed at Kitchen Theatre Company, Actors Theatre of Louisville, New Jersey Rep, and Barrington Stage.

Opening of BODEGA BAY is set for Sunday, February 3, 2013.

THE LAST WILL
by Robert Brustein
directed by Austin Pendleton
April 5 - May 5, 2013
World premiere in the June Havoc Theatre

Towards the end of his life Shakespeare returns to Stratford, having given up playwriting in favor of charging extortionate rents on his properties. Suffering from a fatal mental disease, he somehow becomes convinced that his wife has been unfaithful to him with his brother, and as a result, devises a will leaving her only his "second best bed." Fortunately for us, his art redeems him.

Robert Brustein, noted New Republic theatre critic and educator, returns to Abingdon Theatre Company where his play THE ENGLISH CHANNEL was presented Off-Broadway in 2008. His other plays include NOBODY DIES ON FRIDAY; THREE FARCES AND A FUNERAL; SPRING FORWARD, FALL BACK; and DEMONS. He founded both Yale Repertory Theatre in New Haven, Connecticut and The American Repertory Theatre in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Brustein was inducted into the American Theatre Hall of Fame in 2002 and received a 2010 National Medal of Arts from President Barack Obama. For Abingdon Theatre Company, Austin Pendleton directed Barbara Dana's WAR IN PARAMUS. In 2011, he earned an Obie Award for his direction of THREE SISTERS for Classic Stage Company. Other directing credits include VIEUX CARRE, UNCLE VANYA, FIFTY WORDS, and TOYS IN THE ATTIC. He is the author of ORSON'S SHADOW and UNCLE BOB.

Off-Broadway opening of THE LAST WILL is set for Wednesday, April 17, 2013.

THE GOOD BOY
by Michael Bonnabel
directed by Darin Anthony
April 26 - May 19, 2013
New York premiere in the Dorothy Strelsin Theatre

This is the humorous and heartwarming tale of Michael Bonnabel's struggle to gain independence from his large, loving and complicated family, led by deaf parents. Told in sign, speech and song, Bonnabel explores the weight of the adult responsibilities he faced as a young boy, as well as his yearning to bond with his emotionally distant father.

Written and performed by Michael Bonnabel, THE GOOD BOY recently played an extended run at The Los Angeles Theatre Center. Bonnabel is a Los Angeles based performance artist with a wide range of theatre, film and television credits, including award-winning performances in Philip Littell's NO MIRACLE: A CONSOLATION and Actor's Workshop Studio's revival of Edward Albee's THE ZOO STORY. Director Darin Anthony is one of LA's most sought after stage directors. His credits include critically acclaimed productions for The Blank Theatre Company and Syzygy Theatre Group, among others.

Opening of THE GOOD BOY is set for Sunday, May 5, 2013.

Casts and creative teams are to be announced.

Abingdon Theatre Company's 2012-2013 Dorothy Streslin productions are Equity Approved Showcases. THE LAST WILL is performed under a LOA contract.

Season tickets are available for $120. Individual tickets go on sale September 10. For more information about Abingdon Theatre Company (312 West 36th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues) and its upcoming 20th Anniversary Season, call 212-868-2055 or visit www.abingdontheatre.org.

 

 

 

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