Abingdon Theatre Company Celebrates 20th Anniversary, 10/29

Abingdon Theatre Company – which has produced more than 77 new American plays in its 20-year history – is set to celebrate its 20th Anniversary with ABINGDON: SETTING THE STAGE FOR 20 YEARS, its Annual Benefit Gala and dinner on Monday, October 29 at Espace (635 West 42nd Street) Manhattan, beginning at 6pm.

The evening will honor Tony and Emmy Award-winning actress Tyne Daly (GYPSY, MASTER CLASS, "Cagney & Lacey"). The gala also honors businessman Sam D. Altman, who has served on Abingdon's Board of Directors for ten years, and Press Agent Shirley Herz, who was awarded a special Tony Award for excellence in the theatre in 2009 and has represented Abingdon Theatre Company since 1999.

Proceeds benefit Abingdon Theatre Company's mission to develop and produce new plays by American Playwrights. Abingdon Theatre Company's 20h Annual Benefit Gala features tributes to all three honorees and Abingdon Founding Members.

Lucie Arnaz (DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS, THEY'RE PLAYING OUR SONG) and Tony-nominee Laurence Luckinbill (THE SHADOW BOX, TEDDY TONIGHT!) are set to co-host the gala. The evening includes special performances by Tony-nominee Jonathan Hadary, who co-starred opposite Ms. Daly in GYPSY and will appear this season in GOLDEN BOY, and Julie Halston, recently seen on Broadway in ANYTHING GOES and Off-Broadway in THE DIVINE SISTER.

Presenters and special guests joining the evening include Martin Charnin (ANNIE), "Cagney & Lacey" co-star Sharon Gless, opera singer Marilyn Horne, David Hyde Pierce ("Fraiser," CURTAINS), and columnist Liz Smith. Additional performers and celebrated guests are to be announced.

Tyne Daly recently starred in MASTER CLASS on Broadway and in London, reprising the role of Maria Callas, which she also played at The Kennedy Center. A renowned stage, screen and television actress, Ms. Daly's stage work has won her numerous awards, including a Tony for her performance as Rose in the highly successful 1989 revival of GYPSY and a Tony nomination for RABBIT HOLE. Her TV appearances are too numerous to list, but she is best known for her work on "Cagney & Lacey" (four Emmys), "Judging Amy" (Emmy) and "Christy" (Emmy), in addition to appearances on "Burn Notice" and "Grey's Anatomy," and in several TV films. She has received 16 Emmy nominations. Film work includes "Georgia," with Joan Allen and Jeremy Irons. Ms. Daly was trained at the American Shakespeare Festival, Brandeis University, and the American Musical and Dramatic Academy.

Since 1993, Abingdon Theatre Company has developed and produced new plays by American Playwrights exclusively. Their actors, directors, designers, producers and dramaturgs have collaborated with more than 200 playwrights to develop original plays. Under the guidance of Artistic Director Jan Buttram and Managing Director Samuel Bellinger, 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: Page 2 Stage, Staged Readings, and Workout Labs, which culminate in Studio and Mainstage Productions.

Abingdon Theatre Company's upcoming 20th season includes Mike Vogel's MARCH MADNESS, directed by Donald Brenner (October 26-November 18, 2012); Elisabeth Karlin's BODEGA BAY, directed by Sturgis Warner (January 25-February 17, 2013); Robert Brustein's THE LAST WILL, directed by Austin Pendleton (April 5-May 5, 2013); and Michael Bonnabel, directed by Darin Anthony (April 26-May 19, 2013).

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