Abingdon Theatre Company -- which has produced 83 new plays in its 21-year history -- launches its 2014-2015 Season with IT HAS TO BE YOU by Drama Desk nominee Catherine Butterfield (JOINED AT THE HEAD), set to begin previews October 3, at the Abingdon Theatre Arts Complex's Dorothy Strelsin Theatre (312 West 36th Street). Official press opening is set for Sunday, October 12, with performances through October 26. Drama Desk nominee Stuart Ross (ENTER LAUGHING, FOREVER PLAID) is set to direct.
In IT HAS TO BE YOU, a wealthy widow becomes involved with a much-younger man, leaving her grown children to question if she's falling in love or falling prey to a gigolo. The comedy reveals the disastrous results that can occur when three adult siblings try to juggle the responsibilities of caring for themselves and an aging, eccentric parent.
Peter Davenport, Adam Ferrara,
Jeffrey C. Hawkins and
Peggy J. Scott join Ms. Butterfield in the cast.
The production features set design by Ian
Paul Guzzone, costume design by Sherry Martinez, lighting design by
Michael Megliola, and sound design by
Ian Wehrle. Production Stage Manager is Shayna Penn.
Peter Davenport's credits include CBS's "Blue Bloods," Papermill Playhouse's revival of FOLLIES, BOOMERS: THE MUSICAL (Midtown Intl. Theatre Festival), KISS ME KATE (IRNE Award nomination), and a national tour of THE SOUND OF MUSIC as Captain von Trapp.
Adam Ferrara presently stars on Showtime's "Nurse Jackie," opposite
Edie Falco, and hosts "Top Gear USA" on History. He played Chief Needles Nelson on the Emmy-nominated series "Rescue Me" and was a series regular on ABC's "The Job," starring
Denis Leary. He co-stars in the films Paul Blart: Mall Cop with
Kevin James and Definitely Maybe with
Ryan Reynolds.
Jeffrey C. Hawkins is a resident company member of The Actors Company Theatre (TACT) and most recently appeared in their revival of BEYOND THERAPY. His other Off-Broadway credits include INCIDENT AT VICHY and THREE MEN ON A HORSE.
Peggy J. Scott portrays Jean Tusk on the Netflix series "House of Cards." She appeared on Broadway in
Mark Twain's IS HE DEAD? Her Off-Broadway credits include WELL and EVERYBODY'S RUBY at
The Public Theater, BEDFELLOWS at The Flea, and among others, WALK TWO MOONS at the
Lucille Lortel.
Catherine Butterfield, author and star of JOINED AT THE HEAD (Drama Desk nominee for Outstanding Play), returns to New York with this world-premiere comedy. Her plays also include SNOWING AT DELPHI, WHERE THE TRUTH LIES, LIFE IN THE TREES and THE SLEEPER (winner of the 2004 Kaufman and Hart Award for new American comedy). For television, she has written and produced episodes of "Ghost Whisperer," "Party of Five," and "Fame L.A." In its review of JOINED AT THE HEAD, The New York Times called the Manhattan Theatre Club production a "striking accomplishment for Ms. Butterfield as author, actress."
Director
Stuart Ross received a 2009 Drama Desk Award nomination for his direction of ENTER LAUGHING. His Off-Broadway directing credits include STANDING ON CEREMONY: THE GAY MARRIAGE PLAYS, IT'S A BIRD...IT'S A PLANE...IT'S SUPERMAN, and the musical revue FOREVER PLAID, which he also wrote and choreographed. He earned
Lucille Lortel Award nominations for the book and lyrics of RADIANT BABY.
IT HAS TO BE YOU is an Approved Equity Showcase.
Jan Buttram is Artistic Director and
Heather Henderson is Managing Director of Abingdon Theatre Company.
Performances of IT HAS TO BE YOU run October 3-26: Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7pm; Fridays at 8pm: Saturdays at 2pm and 8pm; and Sundays at 2pm at Abingdon Theatre Arts Complex's Dorothy Strelsin Theatre (312 West 36th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues). (Please note: there is no 2pm performance on Saturday, October 4.) Tickets are $25. For tickets, call 212-811-4111 or visit
www.abingdontheatre.org.
Follow Abingdon on Twitter @abingdontheatre, Facebook at
https://www.facebook.com/abingdontheatre, and Tumblr at
https://www.abingdonnyc.tumblr.com.
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