Gayton Scott Replaces Jennifer Jason Leigh in Abigail's Party, March 13

Gayton Scott will replace Jennifer Jason Leigh in the hit off-Broadway comedy Abigail's Party on March 13th.

Film and theatre star Leigh (Proof, Cabaret) will depart the satiric play--a New Group production--on March 11th to begin shooting Noah Baumbach's (The Squid and The Whale) upcoming film. Scott, who has appeared on Broadway in Gypsy, The Women and Present Laughter, will succeed her as the sexy, manipulative party hostess Beverly.

Written by Mike Leigh (Ecstacy, Smelling a Rat) and directed by New Group artistic director Scott Elliott (Barefoot in the Park, Hurlyburly), Abigail's Party is currently running at the Minetta Lane Theatre (18 Minetta Lane, between 6th Avenue and MacDougal Street) through April 8th. The show, which opened on December 1st, 2005, has been extended once before; it was originally to have closed on January 7th.

Abigail's Party, which is set in '70s London, is a caustic exploration of suburban middle class lives as a number of neigbors get together at the soirée of the title. The play also  features Max Baker, Lisa Emery, Darren Goldstein and Elizabeth Jasicki.

Abigail's Party features sets by Derek McLane, lighting by Jason Lyons, costumes by Eric Becker, and sound by Ken Travis. A much-seen BBC movie version of Abigail's Party was made in 1977; and the work also received an Olivier nomination for Best Revival of 2002 when it was performed at the New Ambassador's Theatre.

Abigail's Party plays Monday–Saturday at 8:00 PM and matinees on Saturday at 2:00 PM. Tickets are $51.25 – 66.25 and can be arranged through Ticket Central at www.ticketcentral.com, by calling (212) 279-4200, or at the Theatre Row Box Office (12:00 – 8:00 PM daily). For more information, visit www.thenewgroup.org.