Abingdon Theatre Company ’s Season at 32nd Anniversary Gala

Kate Baldwin, Tony Yazbeck, Lesli Margherita, Mandy Gonzalez and more to Kick of Abingdon Theatre Company’s Season at 32nd Anniversary Gala Honoring Longtime Board Member Jim Kierstead

(New York, NY) Wednesday, August 7th, 2024 – Abingdon Theatre Company (Chad Austin, Producing Artistic Director) is thrilled to announce the initial casting to kick off their season at the 32nd anniversary gala honoring longtime board member, Emmy, Olivier, and six-time Tony Award-winning producer Jim Kierstead.

Set to celebrate Abingdon Theatre Company’s 32nd season Off-Broadway is two-time Tony Award Nominee Kate Baldwin (Hello, Dolly!), Tony Award Nominee Tony Yazbeck (Flying Over Sunset), Olivier Award Winner Lesli Margherita (Nine), Drama Desk Award Winner Mandy Gonzalez (Sunset Boulevard) with a star-studded lineup including Keri René Fuller (Six), Blaine Krauss (Hamilton), Kara Lindsay (Once Upon a Mattress), Ashley D. Kelley (Shucked), Shereen Pimentel (West Side Story), Carolina Rial (NBC’s The Voice), Nyla Sostre (Shucked), Carrie St. Louis (Titanique), Katie Thompson (Oklahoma!), Curtis Wiley (Ain’t Too Proud), and Alyssa Wray (ABC’s American Idol). Additional casting to be announced at a later date.

The benefit gala will be held on Monday, October 28, 2024 at the Edison Ballroom (240 West 47th Street). The evening will include cocktails, dinner, an auction, and a live performance directed by Producing Artistic Director Chad Austin with musical direction by Robbie Cowan.

Tickets can be purchased here. For more information regarding sponsorships, please email kbell@abingdontheatre.org .

Jim Kierstead stated, “I could not be more proud or honored to represent Abingdon Theatre Company's thirty-second season. After ten years on the Board and having witnessed and having been part of Abingdon's exemplary work first hand, knowing that I have had a hand in this company's success and valuable contributions to the community is incredibly satisfying.”

Chad Austin said, “I am elated to be kicking off our bravest season yet with this talented group of stars and celebrating Vice Chair of ATC’s Board, Jim Kierstead. It is a privilege to be honoring Jim’s remarkable contributions to our industry at our benefit gala this October.”

Jim Kierstead is a Grammy-nominated, Emmy, Olivier, and six-time Tony Award-winning producer of the Broadway, touring, Toronto, and London productions of Kinky Boots, Pippin, Hadestown, The Inheritance, The Lehman Trilogy, and Company. In addition, he has been a co-producer of over 25 Broadway productions including Sweeney Todd, Cabaret, Tommy, Ain’t Too Proud, The Minutes, Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune, Waitress, The Visit, You Can’t Take It With You, Indecent, The Great Comet (all Tony nominated), Mrs. Doubtfire, Be More Chill, Pretty Woman, Side Show, It Shoulda Been You, M. Butterfly, Rocky, among others. Off-Broadway projects include The Hollow, The Gospel According To Heather, Unexpected Joy, Yank! (Drama Desk and Lucille Lortel Nominees), Bright Colors and Bold Patterns, and Thrill Me - The Leopold & Loeb Story (Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Nominees). He has produced London productions including Waitress, Dreamgirls, Pretty Woman, Be More Chill, Unexpected Joy, Yank!, Thrill Me, Flowers For Mrs Harris, Brokeback Mountain, Night of the Living Dead, and Aspects of Love. Film/TV projects include the Emmy winning TV series The Bay, as well as Indoor Boys, Emmy winning After Forever, and Wakefield starring Bryan Cranston and Jennifer Garner. Along with his Broadway Factor partners, Jim produced the hit immersive show Amparo in downtown Miami for Bacardi. Jim is on the Board of Directors of The Abingdon Theatre Company, The York Theatre Company, Primary Stages, and is the founder of the digital theatre content creation company Broadway Virtual. He holds an M.S. in Computer Science and an M.A. in Clinical and Counseling Psychology.