WINTER TALES, FAIRIES, A CHRISTMAS CAROL and More Set for Abingdon Theatre's 2013 Holiday Season

Abingdon Theatre Company, now in its 21st Season, celebrates the holidays with festive new shows, scheduled throughout December, in the June Havoc Theatre (312 West 36th Street).

WINTER TALES
Saturday, December 7 at 11am and Sunday, December 8 at 11am
FREE performance for children and families!

Pop Up Playhouse returns with WINTER TALES, a celebration of Winter Solstice and the enchantment of the holidays. Seasonal songs and traditional fables, adapted and directed by Vincent Scott, come to life in a family-friendly show that includes a visit from Santa. FREE performance: intended for ages 5-12 and families. Reservations are suggested. Please email: vscott@abingdontheatre.org.

Charles Dickens' GREAT EXPECTATIONS
Adapted and Directed by Donald Brenner
Monday, December 9 at 7pm
Tickets: $20-30.

With a brisk running time of 90 minutes, director Donald Brenner's adaptation of GREAT EXPECTATIONS maintains the heart of Dickens' epic masterpiece about an orphan named Pip. Dicken's haunting narrative is cut to its essence, bringing to life Pip's memories, fantasies, fears and dreams. Casting is to be announced.

MISS Peggy Lee: I'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS
Featuring Chuck Sweeney as Miss Peggy Lee
Sunday, December 15 at 7pm
Tickets: $15-30.

Back by popular demand as part of The Sunday Series at Abingdon! MAC and Bistro Award-winner for Outstanding Impersonator Chuck Sweeney returns with MISS Peggy Lee: I'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS, his take on the late, great Miss Peggy Lee. Sweeney appeared Off-Broadway in I WILL COME BACK. He has performed, as Miss Peggy Lee, on stages across the globe and sold out his previous run at Abingdon.

FAIRIES
A new play by Charles Messina
Tuesday, December 17 at 7pm
Tickets: $20.

The Sunday Series at Abingdon presents a special Tuesday night benefit reading of a new play by Charles Messina. FAIRIES tells the story of what happens when Santa, the Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy, Tom Turkey, and Cupid all show up at a little boy's house on the same night by accident. The cast includes Alfredo Diaz, Johnny Tammaro, Steven LaChioma, Nick Fondulis, MichaeL Barbieri, Khalid Goncalves and Scott Seidman. Recommended for ages 12 and older.

Charles Dickens' A CHRISTMAS CAROL
Starring Austin Pendleton as Scrooge
Friday, December 20 at 7pm
Saturday, December 21 at 2pm and 7pm
Tickets: $20-30.

Austin Pendleton (THE LAST WILL) brings a familiar curmudgeon to life in an innovative, new production of Charles Dickens' A CHRISTMAS CAROL, adapted by John Greenleaf and director Laurie Strickland. Join friends, old and new, for a special benefit reading of this beautiful story of transformation, hope and redemption. In the heart of the one of the largest cities in the world, cozy up with us and hear a classic tale with a new ear.

Performances run at Abingdon Theatre Arts Complex (312 West 36th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues). For tickets and more information about all of Abingdon's holiday events, call 866-811-4111 or visit www.abingdontheatre.org.

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Pictured: Chuck Sweeney as Miss Peggy Lee in Miss Peggy Lee: I'll Be Home for Christmas. Photo by Kim T. Sharp.