Abingdon Theatre Company Begins Season With MARCH MADNESS, 10/26

Abingdon Theatre Company - which has produced more than 77 new American plays in its 20-year history - launches its 2012-2013 Season with the world premiere of MARCH MADNESS by Mike Vogel, set to begin previews October 26, prior to its official press opening November 4, at the Abingdon Theatre Company's Dorothy Strelsin Theatre (312 West 36th Street). Donald Brenner (DECEMBER FOOLS) directs. Performances run through November 18.

With the economy struggling and newspapers dying, Maury and his fellow reporters devise a desperate plan that will allow one of them to escape office hell and live his or her dream. The office sports pool, once a fun diversion, becomes deadly serious when the ante is substantially raised, and what's at stake becomes no less than their lives. And yes, MARCH MADNESS is a comedy!

Tom Mardirosian, best known as Agamemnon "Aggie" Busmalis (a.k.a. The Mole) on HBO's "Oz" and Agent Kristos Koutris on HBO's "The Wire" and seen Off-Broadway in Lynn Nottage's RUINED, stars as Maury.

The ensemble of MARCH MADNESS also includes Brad Bellamy (Off-Broadway's ALPHABETICAL ORDER and SO HELP ME GOD); AJ Cedeño (season two of NBC's "Smash"); Mark Doherty (Abingdon's BLAME IT ON BECKETT and HOW I FELL IN LOVE); and Lucy McMichael (FringeNYC's THE FABULOUS KANE SISTERS IN BOX OFFICE POISON).

MARCH MADNESS features set design by Andrew Lu; lighting design by David Arsenault; costume design by Laura Crow; and sound design by David Margolin Lawson. Mark Hoffner is Production Stage Manager; Kristin Bodall is Assistant Stage Manager.

Mike Vogel is a freelance journalist whose op-ed pieces have been published in Newsday, New York Daily News, New York Post, and Metro. He is the founder of the popular blog newyorkgritty.net. His one-act play HEADHUNTERS was a finalist in The Samuel French Off-Off Broadway Short Play Festival and has been expanded into a full-length play. His other plays in development include CHECKS AND BALANCES and TROUBLE IN TUCKAHOE.

Director Donald Brenner returns to Abingdon, having previously directed Sherman Yellen's DECEMBER FOOLS. His other credits include the NYMF hit THE MOST RIDICULOUS THING YOU EVER HOID, CRITICAL MASS, and ALI BABA (Lincoln Center).

Abingdon Theatre Company's upcoming 20th season also includes 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). Dorothy Streslin productions are Equity Approved Showcases.

MARCH MADNESS run October 26-November 28: Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7pm; Fridays at 8pm; Saturdays at 2pm and 8pm; and Sundays at 2pm (with the following exception: Sunday, November 4 at 5pm) at Abingdon Theatre Company (312 West 36th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues). Tickets are $25. For tickets, call 212-868-2055 or visit www.abingdontheatre.org.