Abingdon Theatre Announces Full Cast and Performance Schedule for INVENTING AVI, Opening 10/2

Emily Zacharias (JEKYLL & HYDE) and Stanley Bahorek (PUTNAM CO. SPELLING BEE) join Alix Korey (ALL SHOOK UP) for Off-Broadway's INVENTING AVI (and other theatrical maneuvers), Abingdon Theatre Company's 2009-10 season opener by Robert Cary and Benjamin Feldman; directed by Mark Waldrop

Abingdon Theatre Company kicks off its 2009-10 Off-Broadway season with the world premiere of INVENTING AVI (and other theatrical maneuvers), a new behind-the-scenes theatrical comedy by Robert Cary and Benjamin Feldman, set to begin previews on October 2, prior to an official press opening October 14, at Abingdon Theatre Arts Complex's June Havoc Theatre (312 West 36th Street) in Manhattan. Mark Waldrop to direct.

As previously announced actress, 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").

A zany comedy of theatrical manners, 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.

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 reunites Ms. Korey with Mr. Waldrop, who directed her in LISTEN TO MY HEART, for which she received a Drama Desk nomination for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical. Ms. Korey made her Broadway debut in the 1978 revival of HELLO, DOLLY! Most recently, she appeared on Broadway in ALL SHOOK UP. Other Broadway credits include THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE, TRIUMPH OF LOVE, 45 SECONDS FROM BROADWAY, and the current revival of CHICAGO. Ms. Korey's numerous Off-Broadway credits include York Theatre Company's SUBURB and NO WAY TO TREAT A LADY, Andrew Lippa's THE WILD PARTY, and FORBIDDEN BROADWAY. A popular cabaret entertainer and recording artist, her albums include "Songs You Might Have Missed" and "Gifts of Love."

Emily Zacharias' Broadway credits include JEKYLL & HYDE, CHU CHEM, and WHAT'S WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE; Off-Broadway and regional credits OLYMPUS ON MY MIND, Paper Mill Playhouse's ROMEO AND BERNADETTE, and THE APPRENTICESHIP OF DUDDY KRAVITZ. Stanley Bahorek most recently played Leaf Coneybear in THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE on Broadway, and toured nationally as Tom Sawyer in Deaf West Theatre's BIG RIVER.

Director Mark Waldrop, whose most recent Abingdon credit is John Epperson's MY DEAH starring Nancy Opel, is best known for the comedy classic WHEN PIGS FLY, which he directed and co-conceived. His credits also include Off-Broadway's PETE 'N' KEELY, the City Center Encores! production of ZIEGFELD FOLLIES OF 1936, and Paper Mill Playhouse's revival of GYPSY, starring Betty Buckley and Deborah Gibson. Mr. Waldrop was a production consultant for BEA ARTHUR ON BROADWAY, and he recently staged Ms. Arthur's memorial, "A Celebration of Bea's Life and Career," at The Majestic Theatre.

Playwrights Robert Cary and Benjamin Feldman co-wrote the book for PALM BEACH, THE SCREWBALL MUSICAL, presented at La Jolla Playhouse in 2005.

Since 1993, Abingdon Theatre Company has developed and produced new plays by American playwrights exclusively. Our actors, directors, designers, producers and dramaturgs have collaborated with more than 200 playwrights to develop original plays. Under the artistic direction of Jan Buttram, the company provides a safe home in which playwrights collaborate with other theatre artists and receive audience feedback through the utilization of a four-step development process: First Readings, Staged Readings, and Workout Labs, which culminate in Studio Productions and Mainstage Productions.

In addition to INVENTING AVI, Abingdon Theatre Company's 17th season of American plays includes the world premiere of PHANTOM KILLER, by playwright and Abingdon Artistic Director Jan Buttram (January 22-February 14), directed by Jules Ochoa; the NY premiere of John Morogiello's ENGAGING SHAW (April 9-May 2), directed by Jackob G. Hofmann; and the NY premiere of Stephen Swift's SISTER MYOTIS'S BIBLE CAMP (June 11-July 4), directed by Jerre Dye.

Performances of INVENTING AVI (and other theatrical maneuvers) run October 2 through November 1 at the Abingdon Theatre Arts Complex's June Havoc Theatre (312 West 36th Street): Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:00pm; Fridays at 8:00pm; Saturdays at 2:00pm and 8:00pm; and Sundays at 2:00pm. Tickets are $45. For reservations, visit http://www.abingdontheatre.org or call 212-868-2055.

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