Photo Flash: Abingdon Theatre Company's INVENTING AVI

INVENTING AVI grapples with questions of authorship and identity as two sisters "of a certain age" -- one a rich producer and the other, a diva of the stage -- collaborate on a hit play from a sexy Israeli writer. The play seems autobiographical, but the story is actually stolen from a place closer to home than either sister could ever imagine.

Comedienne, and cabaret star Alix Korey, whose Broadway credits include ALL SHOOK UP and CHICAGO, leads the cast of INVENTING AVI. Joining Ms. Korey are Emily Zacharias (JEKYLL & HYDE) and Stanley Bahorek (THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE), along with Havilah Brewster (A.R. Gurney's A LIGHT LUNCH), Lori Gardner (MY DEAH), and Juri Henley-Cohn ("New York, I Love You").

INVENTING AVI features set design by Ray Klausen; costume design by Matthew Hemesath, lighting design by Brian Nason; and sound design by David Margolin Lawson. Production stage manager is Joshua Pilote.

INVENTING AVI opened to critical and audience acclaim on October 14. The New York Times called it "a screwy backstage tale with savvy topical jokes, a potpourri of sly theatre references, and every conceivable sexual pairing," adding, it is "like a well-stocked party boat...everyone's having a great time!" Next Magazine wrote: "The cast is sensational and director Mark Waldrop keeps the laugh coming at breakneck speed in this comedy that goes down like an extra-dry martini." CurtainUp.com noted that the play "tickles the audience's funny bone!" Backstage proclaimed: "comedy has resurfaced in Robert Cary and Benjamin Feldman's INVENTING AVI!" While nytheatre.com called it "an energetic farce... pretty darn funny!" Theatermania.com added that the playwrights, "abetted by a superb cast and their deft director MarkWaldrop, are consistently setting up -- and getting -- the laughs!"

Performances of INVENTING AVI (and other theatrical maneuvers) run through November 1 at the Abingdon Theatre Arts Complex's June Havoc Theatre (312 West 36th Street): Remaining performances are Tuesday, October 27; Wednesday, October 28 and Thursday, October 29 at 7pm; Friday, October 30 and Saturday, October 31 at 8pm; and 2pm on Saturday, October 31 and Sunday, November 1. Tickets are $45. For reservations, visit www.abingdontheatre.org or call 212-868-2055.

Photo credit: Kim Sharp

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