New Plays IT HAS TO BE YOU, A HAPPY END and MALLORCA Set for Abingdon's 2014-15 Season

Abingdon Theatre Company -- which has produced 83 new plays in its 21-year history -- launches its 2014-2015 Season with three new plays, beginning this fall 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). Drama Desk nominee Stuart Ross (ENTER LAUGHING, FOREVER PLAID) is set to direct.

In February 2015, the company continues its 22nd Season with A HAPPY END by Israeli-American author, playwright and physician Iddo Netanyahu (Yoni's Last Battle), directed by Alex Dmitriev (GOD'S DAUGHTER). Abingdon Theatre Company's season concludes, in May 2015, with MALLORCA by Sheldon Bull, two-time Emmy Award nominee ("Newhart") and winner of the 2013 Christopher Brian Wolk Award, directed by Donald Brenner (MARCH MADNESS).

Following are details about Abingdon Theatre Company's 2014-2015 Season:

World Premiere
IT HAS TO BE YOU
October 3-26, 2014
Written by Catherine Butterfield
Directed by Stuart Ross

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 their own children and an aging, eccentric parent.

Catherine Butterfield, author and star of JOINED AT THE HEAD (Drama Desk nominee for Outstanding Play), SNOWING AT DELPHI and WHERE THE TRUTH LIES, returns to New York with this world-premiere comedy. Her plays also include LIFE IN THE TREES and THE SLEEPER. For television, she has written and produced episodes of "Ghost Whisperer," "Party of Five," and "Fame L.A."

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 opens Sunday, October 12 in the Dorothy Strelsin Theatre.

New York Premiere
A HAPPY END
February 27-March 29, 2015
Written by Iddo Netanyahu
Directed by Alex Dmitriev

In 1932, a Jewish family considers leaving Berlin amid the imminent rise of the Nazi Party. They struggle to believe that Germany's traditions of art, science and democracy will not change as Hitler comes to power. Although the signs of danger are increasing, the family ponders whether to seek an unknown future outside their beloved Germany or stay to fight against growing discrimination and hatred.

Iddo Netanyahu is an Israeli-American author, playwright and physician whose published works include the novel, Yoni's Last Battle: The Rescue at Entebbe, 1976; and The Rescuers, a collection of short stories. Marking the playwright's Off-Broadway debut, A HAPPY END had its world premiere in Italy with subsequent productions in Germany and Israel.

Director Alex Dmitriev returns to Abingdon where he previously directed GOD'S DAUGHTER by Barton Bishop and EVANGELINE AND GOD and GERMAN GAMES by Berrilla Kerr. Other New York credits include the Drama-Desk nominated LOST IN THE STARS (York Theatre Company), ST. NICHOLAS (Irish Repertory Theatre), LET US NOW PRAISE FAMOUS MEN (Village Theatre), MRS. WARREN'S PROFESSION (Pearl Theatre), BEDTIME STORY (Actors Studio) and Jan Buttram's EAST TEXAS (York).

A HAPPY END opens Wednesday, March 11 in the June Havoc Theatre.

World Premiere
MALLORCA
May 29-June 21, 2015
Written by Sheldon Bull
Directed by Donald Brenner

Male bonding takes a hilarious toll on "men of a certain age" when a cryptic message from one of them leads the others on an adventure between New York and Spain. Plans to attend a Knicks game are sidelined as four guys in the midst of personal crises journey from Manhattan to a seaside paradise where they'll discover the meaning of friendship.

Sheldon Bull is a 30-year veteran of Hollywood's top comedies, having written over 300 sitcom episodes. His numerous credits as writer, producer and/or director include "M*A*S*H," "Coach," "Sabrina, The Teenage Witch," "Mom" and "Newhart" for which he received two Emmy nominations. He is the author of Elephant Bucks: An Inside Guide to Writing for TV Sitcoms and began writing plays in 1995. Bull makes his New York debut with MALLORCA, recipient of Abingdon's 2013 Christopher Brian Wolk Award for Excellence in Playwriting.

For Abingdon, Donald Brenner has directed MARCH MADNESS by Mike Vogel and DECEMBER FOOLS by Sherman Yellen. He most recently helmed MAPMAKER'S OPERA at the New York Musical Theatre Festival where he previously directed SASQUATCHED! THE MUSICAL and THE MOST RIDICULOUS THING YOU EVER HOID (NYMF Award of Excellence winner). Other Off-Broadway credits include CRITICAL MASS and A TALE OF TWO CITIES (The Mint Theatre).

MALLORCA opens Sunday, June 7 in the Dorothy Strelsin Theatre.

Casts and creative teams are to be announced.

Productions in the Dorothy Strelsin Theatre are Approved Equity Showcases. Jan Buttram is Artistic Director and Heather Henderson is Managing Director of Abingdon Theatre Company.

Subscriptions to Abingdon's 2014-2015 Season are currently on sale. For tickets, call 866-811-4111. For more information about Abingdon Theatre Company, located at 312 West 36th Street (between 8th and 9th Avenues), call 212-868-2055 or visit www.abingdontheatre.org.

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