Independent Arts News Reporting One Night Only Series Presents: Back by Playwright Matt Webster
Above: Madeline Brewer Photo Contributed by Elizabeth Skollar.
Newsroom Post: NEW YORK, NY
(New York, NY) – The Abingdon Theatre Company is thrilled to announce the addition of Tony Nominee, James Cusati-Moyer (Slave Play, Netflix’s Inventing Anna), to the cast of Back alongside Emmy Nominee, Madeline Brewer (The Handmaid’s Tale, Orange is the New Black).
A lot can happen in one night! That’s the motto of Abingdon’s One Night Only Series, a series that strives to create a once-in-a-lifetime theatrical experience. Each event is a chance for us to orchestrate the magic that happens when artists come together to create. Voices young and old, unique and never repeated, a chance to revisit classics and hear a new voice for the first time.
Pictured Above: Back poster Photo Contributed by: Elizabeth Skollar
What if you could buy a second chance at life? Set in a world where time travel is not only possible, but readily available, Back follows the 10 year relationship of Leah and Derek. Despite their undeniable chemistry and inherent trust, their journey toward love is filled with heartache and mistakes. Over half a lifetime, their assumptions, resentments, and stifled dreams have kept them in a tortured romantic cycle. It’s a shame they can’t go back in time, do it all over, and build a life without regrets…but what if they could?
Playwright Matt Webster said, “I’m so excited for my play BACK to be a part of the One Night Only series. Chad has been such a supportive presence in my artistic life, and I’m honored to bring this piece to the Abingdon Theatre.”
Abingdon Theatre Company is continuing to work towards their goal of making theatre accessible for all and will be offering $30 tickets for both One Night Only performances in honor of their 30th anniversary season. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased here. This evening is brought to you by the support of Denise Dickens, Judy Greenblatt, and Brian Greer.
Pictured Above: James Cusati-Moyer photo contributed by:Elizabeth Skollar
James Cusati-Moyer: Slave Play (Tony Nomination Best Featured Actor in a Play), Six Degrees of Separation. Off-Broadway: Slave Play (New York Theatre Workshop), Nijinsky in World Premiere of Fire and Air by Terrence McNally (Classic Stage Company); The Devil in The Soldier’s Tale (Carnegie Hall). Regional: Yale Repertory Theatre, Westport Country Playhouse, Williamstown Theatre Festival. Film: Black Adam (DC Comics), False Positive (A24) Television: “Inventing Anna,” “The Calling,” “Evil,” “Prodigal Son,” “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt,” “The Path,” “Red Oaks,” “Blue Bloods,” “Time After Time.” Training: MFA, Yale School of Drama.
Pictured Above: Madeline Brewer Photo Credit: NJ.com
Madeline Brewer is one to watch on both the big and small screens. Madeline is perhaps best known for portraying Janine in Hulu’s Emmy Award and Golden Globe winning series “The Handmaid’s Tale,” for which she was nominated for a 2021 Emmy in the category of “Outstanding Supporting Actress in Drama Series.” The show is slated to return for its sixth and final season and is based on the best-selling novel by Margaret Atwood. Most recently, Madeline was seen as Sally Bowles in the Olivier Award Winning London production of CABARET at the Playhouse Theatre opposite Callum Scott Howells. In 2021, Madeline starred in the Hulu and American High film “The Ultimate Playlist of Noise” alongside Keean Johnson. Madeline recently completed production on “Space Oddity,” directed and produced by Kyra Sedgwick. The film also stars Kevin Bacon and Alexandra Shipp. She will also be seen in the thriller “Where Are You” alongside Anthony Hopkins and Angela Sarafyan. In 2019, Madeline starred in STX Entertainment’s “Hustlers” alongside Jennifer Lopez, Constance Wu, Lili Reinhart, Keke Palmer and Julia Stiles. The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival that year. Additionally, Madeline was seen alongside Ashton Sanders and Vera Farmiga in Focus Features’ “Captive State,” directed by Rupert Wyatt. In 2018, Madeline starred in the Blumhouse and Netflix thriller “Cam,” which is available on the streaming service and premiered at the 2018 AFI Festival. Additionally, Madeline starred alongside Imogen Waterhouse in Mitxi Peirone’s “Braid,” which premiered at the 2018 Tribeca Film Festival. Madeline made her television debut as fan favorite “Tricia Miller” in the Netflix original comedy-drama series “Orange is the New Black” created by Jenji Kohan and produced by Lionsgate Television. Other select credits include Netlix’s critically acclaimed series “Black Mirror,” Mark Webber’s “Flesh and Blood,” “Hedgehog,” Open Road’s “Separation” with Brian Cox, and more.
Established over 30 years ago, Abingdon Theatre Company (ATC) develops and produces critically acclaimed brave new works. Most recently, ATC produced the New York Premiere of Queens Girl in the World which was nominated for Outstanding Solo Performance for the Vivian Robinson Audelco Recognition Awards for Excellence in Black Theatre. Other recent productions include the NYT Critics’ Pick, Get on Your Knees, written and performed by Jacqueline Novak, which was nominated for a Drama Desk Award. Abingdon Theatre Company’s One Night Only Series has showcased work such as Alex Edelman’s Just for Us which went on to receive Drama Desk Award and Outer Critics Circle Award nominations, The Prompter starring Oscar-winning actress Estelle Parsons, and Date Of A Lifetime, a new musical with book and lyrics by Carl Kissin and music by Robert Baumgartner Jr. ATC’s free to the public Around the Table Series has produced staged readings of exciting and challenging new plays such as The Inferno by Chris Sherman and Arancini by Joey Merlo. In 2020, ATC established Abingdon Virtual and has since produced three award-winning films including As Apple Pie, written and directed by Artist-in-Residence Pierre Marais, which was an official selection of the Cannes World Film Festival for Best Young Filmmaker and won multiple awards at festivals including Best Cinematography, Best Director, and Best Drama USA. Abingdon Virtual’s premiere film, It Cries Too Loudly, was an official selection of the Prague International Short Film Awards and won Best Cinematography and Best Short Film at the Eastern European Film Festival.
