Abingdon Theatre Company has announced casting for their special one-night-only gala event on Monday, October 22 at The Edison Ballroom.
The evening, honoring two-time Tony Award winner Donna Murphy (Hello, Dolly!; Passion; Wonderful Town), will be hosted by Randy Rainbow and feature an all-star concert performance of Richard Maltby, Jr. and David Shire’s award-winning musical revue Closer Than Ever with Nicholas Belton (Carousel), Lisa Brescia (Dear Evan Hansen), Tony Award nominee Liz Callaway (Baby), Lewis Cleale (Book of Mormon), Nikki Renee Daniels (Porgy and Bess), Erin Davie (Side Show), George Dvorsky (Closer Than Ever), Claybourne Elder (Passion),Aaron Kaburick (Hello Dolly!), Jeff Kready (Tootsie), Olivier Award winner Lesli Margherita (Matilda), Bonnie Milligan (Head Over Heels), Julia Murney (The Wild Party), Kyle Taylor Parker (Smokey Joe’s Cafe), two-time Tony Award nominee David Pittu (Lovemusik), Conor Ryan (Desperate Measures), Justin Sargent (Jesus Christ Superstar Live NBC), Carrie St. Louis (Kinky Boots), Joey Taranto (Kinky Boots), two-time Tony Award nominee Mary Testa (Oklahoma!) and Alysha Umphress (Smokey Joe’s Cafe).
Closer Than Ever will feature choreography by Deidre Goodwin, musical direction by Kevin David Thomas, and direction by Chad Austin.
“We are grateful to this extraordinary cast of artists for supporting Abingdon Theatre Company and joining us in our celebration of the great Donna Murphy,” says Chad Austin, gala director and associate director of Abingdon Theatre Company. “We’re honored that Richard Maltby, Jr. and David Shire have entrusted us with one of their most beautiful scores for the big night, and will be with us at The Edison Ballroom as we pay tribute to one of the great leading ladies of our time. With our dream cast it’s sure to be a spectacular night.”
Individual gala tickets, starting at $500, include access to the cocktail reception, dinner, honoree tribute and live auction at 6PM, followed by the performance of Closer Than Ever at 8PM. A limited number of $125 performance-only tickets are also available, which include general admission with open bar for the 8PM performance. Doors open at 7:30PM for performance-only tickets.
Individual gala tickets and performance-only tickets are available at abingdontheatre.org or by calling 212-868-2055, ext. 2.
Want to know more about Closer Than Ever? Seth Rudetsky explains it all!
