Abingdon Theatre Company Announces 2009-2010 Season Of New Plays by Established And Emerging American Playwrights

Abingdon Theatre Company -- which has produced nearly 60 new American plays in its 16-year history -- launches its 2009-2010 Off-Broadway Season with the world premiere of INVENTING AVI, a new comedy by Robert Cary and Benjamin Feldman, set to begin previews on October 2 at the Abingdon Theatre Complex (312 West 36th Street). In early 2010, the company presents the world premiere of PHANTOM KILLER, a new play by playwright and Abingdon Artistic Director Jan Buttram. The company's 17th Season continues, in spring 2010, with the New York premiere of John Morogiello's ENGAGING SHAW, and concludes next summer with the New York premiere of Stephen Swift's SISTER MYOTIS'S BIBLE CAMP.

Following are details about Abingdon Theatre Company's 2009-10 Season:

INVENTING AVI
October 2-November 1, 2009

Abingdon Theatre Company kicks off its 2009-2010 Season with the world premiere of INVENTING AVI by Robert Cary and Benjamin Feldman. 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.

Mark Waldrop is set to direct.

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

Opening night for INVENTING AVI is set for October 14, 2009.

PHANTOM KILLER
January 22-February 14, 2010

Continuing the Abingdon's upcoming season is the world premiere of Jan Buttram's PHANTOM KILLER, a new play set during a scorching hot Texas night in 1946. In PHANTOM KILLER, newlyweds Luke and Jessie find themselves on a seemingly deserted country road and cross paths with a Texas Ranger on the hunt for a serial killer. Before the couple and the cop part ways: plans change, a deal is struck, a heart breaks, and everyone is guilty.

Jules Ochoa is set to direct.

Playwright Jan Buttram is the artistic director of Abingdon Theatre Company, which has presented her plays including: THE PRESIDENT AND HER MISTRESS; TEXAS HOMOS; THE PARKER FAMILY CIRCUS; ZONA, THE GHOST OF GREENBRIER; PRIVATE BATTLES; and GLORY GIRLS.

Director Jules Ochoa's credits include Frawley Becker's TIGER BY THE TAIL. As an assistant director, he has worked on Broadway's HIGH SOCIETY as well as revivals of MAN OF LA MANCHA and ROCKY HORROR SHOW.

Opening night for PHANTOM KILLER is set for January 31, 2010.

ENGAGING SHAW
April 9-May 2, 2010

Next spring, Abingdon Theatre Company will present the New York premiere of John Morogiello's ENGAGING SHAW which follows the real-life courtship and battle of wits between socialite Charlotte Payne-Townsend and playwright George Bernard Shaw. In ENGAGING SHAW, wealthy heiress Charlotte Payne-Townsend sets her sights on the famed author of PYGMALION, MRS. WARREN'S PROFESSION, and MAJOR BARBARA. A confirmed bachelor and philanderer, Shaw is a challenge for Ms. Payne-Townsend, who is determined to romance an unromantic man.

Jakob G. Hofmann is set to direct.

Playwright John Morogiello's plays include the FringeNYC hit IRISH AUTHORS HELD HOSTAGE; STONEWALL'S BUST; BUSHWA! A MODERN UBU; MEN AND PARTS; and the award-winning screenplay HAPPY HOUR ("Best Short Comedy," 2003 NY Independent Film and Video Festival).
Opening night for ENGAGING SHAW is set for April 18, 2010.

SISTER MYOTIS'S BIBLE CAMP
June 11-July 4, 2010.

Abingdon concludes its upcoming season with the New York premiere of SISTER MYOTIS'S BIBLE CAMP by Stephen Swift. SISTER MYOTIS'S BIBLE CAMP exposes the challenges of tending to the faithful flocks and the faithless. Sister Myotis, the head deaconess of an 80,000-member mega-church, is joined by sisters Ima Lone and Velma Needlemeyer as they co-host the annual Women's Church Retreat in giving backsliders, whoremongers, and the "chronically mediocre" a second chance at salvation.

Jerre Dye is set to direct.

Playwright and actor Stephen Swift created the character of Sister Myotis, portraying her in the world premiere of SISTER MYOTIS'S BIBLE CAMP, directed by Jerre Dye, at TheaterWorks in Memphis, Tennessee in 2005. Mr. Dye is artistic director of Voices of the South, a theater ensemble specializing in adaptations of literature.

Opening night for SISTER MYOTIS'S BIBLE CAMP is set for June 20, 2010.

Casts and creative teams for all productions are to be announced.

For tickets annd more information about Abingdon Theatre Company (312 West 36th Street) and its upcoming season, call 212-868-2055 or visit www.abingdontheatre.org.

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