THIRTEEN Records Off-Broadway's HELLMAN v. MCCARTHY, Starring Dick Cavett, Roberta Maxwell and More

Abingdon Theatre Company announces that the world premiere of Brian Richard Mori's HELLMAN v. McCARTHY, a new play the feud between literary legends Lillian Hellman and Mary McCarthy, will be recorded by THIRTEEN Productions LLC for WNET on Friday, April 11 at 8pm. The Off-Broadway play starring Dick Cavett, Roberta Maxwell and Marcia Rodd, will be filmed for broadcast on a future date.

"It has been such an honor to collaborate with this incredible cast, led by Dick Cavett and two amazing actresses, Roberta Maxwell and Marcia Rodd," says Jan Buttram, Artistic Director of Abingdon Theatre Company who also directs this world-premiere. "We're thrilled to have THIRTEEN Productions and WNET capture this great play by Brian Richard Mori and the wonderful performances by the entire ensemble."

The greatest literary feud in modern American history began on January 25, 1980 when literary critic Mary McCarthy appeared as a guest on "The Dick Cavett Show"on PBS and declared that "every word [playwright Lillian Hellman] writes is a lie, including 'and' and 'the.'" Hellman went ballistic and sued McCarthy for libel, sparking a law suit that spanned more than four years..

Emmy Award-winner Dick Cavett ("The Dick Cavett Show," Into the Woods, The Rocky Horror Show) portrays himself, recreating his role in the historical events depicted in HELLMAN v. McCARTHY. Joining Mr. Cavett are Drama Desk and Obie Award-winner Roberta Maxwell (Equus, Ivanov, Brokeback Mountain) as Lillian Hellman and Tony Award-nominee Marcia Rodd (Shelter, Last of the Red Hot Lovers, "Trapper John, M.D.") as Mary McCarthy. Completing the cast are Peter Brouwer (Lost on the Natchez Trace, Bodega Bay), Rowan Michael Meyer (Flea's Benito Cereno, APAC's Blood Brothers), and Jeff Woodman (Cymbeline, A Pirate's Lullaby).

The design team includes set design by Andrew Lu, lighting design by Travis McHale, costume design by Tony Award-nominee Jane Greenwood, and sound design by Ian Wehrle. Lillian Hellman's wig is designed by Paul Huntley. Production Stage Manager is Mark Hoffner.

HELLMAN v. McCARTHY is directed for television by David Horn and produced by Mitch Owgang.

HELLMAN v. McCARTHY began previews on March 14, prior to opening on Wednesday, March 26 as part of Abingdon Theatre Company's 21st Season. Jan Buttram is Artistic Director and Heather Henderson is Managing Director of Abingdon Theatre Company.

Off-Broadway performances of HELLMAN v. McCARTHY must conclude Sunday, April 13. Remaining performances are sold out: Wednesday and Thursday at 7pm; Friday at 8pm; Saturday at 2pm and 8pm; and Sunday at 2pm at Abingdon Theatre Company's June Havoc Theatre (312 West 36th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues). All tickets are $40. For tickets, call 866-811-4111 or visit www.abingdontheatre.org.

For more about Abingdon Theatre Company, visit www.abingdontheatre.org, or follow Abingdon on Twitter @abingdontheatre, Facebook at www.facebook.com/abingdontheatre, and Tumblr at www.abingdonnyc.tumblr.com.

Photo by Kim T. Sharp.

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