Abingdon’s War in Paramus Will Star Matthew Arkin

Matthew Arkin will star in War in Paramus, a new comedy written by his former stepmother, actress Barbara Dana. Directed by Austin Pendleton, the play will kick off the Abingdon Theater Company’s 2005-2006 season, beginning performances on October 7 at the June Havoc Theater.

The action of War in Paramus takes place in Paramus, New Jersey in 1970 and focuses on the struggles of 15-year-old Thelma Gardner, whose family is completely preoccupied with her sister’s wedding. Also cast in the Abingdon production are Jeremy Belier, Kate Bushmman, Gene Gallerano, David Holmes, Anne Letscher, and Lisa McCormick. The show will feature set design by Michael Schweikardt, costume design by Wade Laboissoniere, lighting design by David Castaneda, and sound design by David Margolin Lawrence.

Arkin has appeared on Broadway in The Sunshine Boys and Off-Broadway in Moonlight and Magnolias, Rounding Third, and Dinner With Friends. He recently starred as Phileas Fogg in Around the World in Eighty Days at the Cape Playhouse. Dana, who was married to Matthew’s father, actor Alan Arkin, is an actress best known for her Broadway appearances in Enter Laughing and Where’s Daddy and for her TV role of Phyllis on Sesame Street.