Roberta Maxwell & Marcia Rodd to Join Dick Cavett in HELLMAN v. McCARTHY at Abingdon

Abingdon Theatre Company-which has produced 82 new American plays since 1993-continues its 21st Season with HELLMAN v. McCARTHY by Brian Richard Mori (author of Adult Fiction and Bedtime Stories), with previews set to begin March 14, prior to an official press opening March 26 in Abingdon Theatre Arts Complex's June Havoc Theatre (312 West 36th Street). Off-Broadway performances run through April 13. Jan Buttram, Artistic Director of Abingdon Theatre Company, is set to direct this world-premiere production.

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 coasterride filled with comedy and pathos.

As previously announced, 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, lighting design by Travis McHale, costume design by Tony Award-nominee Jane Greenwood, and sound design by Ian Wehrle. Production Stage Manager is Mark
Hoffner.

Photo by Walter McBride

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