[1] Abanes subsequently moved to New York, where he landed a role in the "International" and "Bus & Truck" companies of the hit Broadway musical A Chorus Line.
As an author/journalist, Abanes specialized in the area of socio-religious issues, cults, the occult, world religions, the entertainment industry, and pop culture.
Also in 1997, for his work on intolerance in North America (see American Militias: Rebellion, Racism, and Religion, InterVarsity Press, 1996), he received an award from The Gustavus Myers Center for the Study of Bigotry and Human Rights.
Abanes also has been interviewed on various radio and TV programs and networks including the BBC, MSNBC, CNN, Extra, and Hard Copy as an authority on cults, religion, pop culture, and the entertainment industry.
In 1998, while continuing his writing pursuits, Abanes joined the staff of Saddleback Church (Rick Warren, pastor) as its Creative Arts Director and assistant music minister.
He eventually left Saddleback in 2000 in order to devote more time to writing (see Marc Gunther, "Will Success Spoil Rick Warren?," CNN, October 31, 2005) In 2010, Abanes ceased his activities as an author/journalist to again work in the field of show business as a singer, dancer, and actor.
In this latter show (directed by Tony Award winner, Ben Harney), Abanes played multiple roles including entertainment legends Bob Hope, Johnny Mercer, Frank Sinatra, and Andy Williams.