Abingdon To Present MARATHON '33 10/19 At Webster Hall, Stage Show Inspired By June Havoc's Broadway Play

Abingdon Theatre Company transforms Webster Hall (125 East 11st Street) into a 1930's dance hall for MARATHON '33 -- a special presentation of a new stage show inspired by June Havoc's 1963 play of the same title -- for one night only on Monday, October 19, beginning at 6:30pm. Tomé Cousin and Peter Gregus are set to direct and choreograph a cast of more than twenty performers as they jitterbug and jive to the sounds of a bygone era.

In December, 1963, June Havoc's MARATHON '33 opened on Broadway, starring Julie Harris. The play, which Ms. Havoc also directed, recounted her experiences as a participant of dance marathons. In 1933, the entire country was amid the Great Depression, and unemployed, but a group of talented performers competed to see who could dance the longest -- and collect the much-need prize money. Sixty couples began the competition. After five to six months of endless dancing, the field was narrowed to a handful. The marathoners danced for 45 minutes out of every hour, 24 hours a day. The 11-minute rest-period and the two minutes to get to and from the dance floor were enough rest for the first 800 to 1,000 hours. Sleeping while leaning on one's partner was a necessity. Calluses developed after the first 500 hours. After the 1,000-hour mark, sprints, grinds and similar events occurred until contestants collapsed and fell by the wayside.

Miss Havoc, for whom Abingdon Theatre Company named its mainstage theater, began her career at the age of two as "Dainty June, The Darling of Vaudeville." At age 14, she danced in the first of her seven marathons. She also starred in twenty-two Broadway plays and penned two autobiographies, "More Havoc" and "Early Havoc," upon which her play MARATHON '33 is based. Miss Havoc is a member of the Theatre Hall of Fame and a double-honoree on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Miss Havoc, along with her sister, the infamous Gypsy Rose Lee, and mother, Rose, were immortalized in the musical GYPSY.

To celebrate Miss Havoc's life, MARATHON '33 will feature many of the actresses who have portrayed "Baby June" and "Dainty June" on Broadway. Additional participants and special guests for Abingdon Theatre Company's MARATHON '33 are to be announced.

In addition to the entertainment, Abingdon Theatre Company will serve comfort foods of the era (and of today too) including hot dogs, pretzels, peanuts, cotton candy and beer. Raffles, door prizes and other surprises add to the evening's fun. Vintage attire is encouraged. MARATHON '33 begins at 6:30pm with swing lessons, taught by Myrna Caceres, who also teaches at the 92nd Street Y. The stage show begins at 8:00pm, followed by drinks and dancing.

Proceeds from MARATHON '33 benefit Abingdon Theatre Company.

Tomé Cousin's Broadway credits as a performer include Susan Stroman's CONTACT and DREAMGIRLS IN CONCERT. He directed and choreographed Asolo Repertory Theatre's production of CONTACT. Peter Gregus' Broadway credits include JERSEY BOYS, CONTACT, and benefit presentations of THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS and FUNNY GIRL.

Abingdon Theatre Company launches its 2009-2010 Off-Broadway Season with the world premiere of INVENTING AVI, a zany comedy of theatrical manners by Robert Cary and Benjamin Feldman on October 2 at the June Havoc Theatre (312 West 36th Street).

Directed by Mark Waldrop and starring Alix Korey, 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. Opening night for INVENTING AVI is set for October 14, 2009.

MARATHON '33 takes place on Monday, October 19 at Webster Hall (125 East 11th Street); beginning at 6:30pm with Swing Lessons; Stage Show at 8:00pm, followed by drinks and dancing. Tickets begin at $50. For more information about individual tickets, or to reserve a table, please contact Sarah Rulfs at 212-868-2055. For more information about Abingdon Theatre Company (312 West 36th Street) and its upcoming season, visit www.abingdontheatre.org.