Ben Lyons is dying. When his wife, Rita, and grown children gather to say goodbye, they learn that, despite being a family, each of them is utterly isolated. Afraid of closeness and afraid of solitude, they are propelled into foreign territory — human connection. Tony Award®-winners Linda Lavin (BROADWAY BOUND, "Alice") and Dick Latessa (HAIRSPRAY, CABARET) lead the cast of this outrageously funny and poignant new play about a family you will not forget, from playwright Nicky Silver (The Vineyard’s PTERODACTYLS) and director Mark Brokaw (The Vineyard’s HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE).

“MAZEL TOV, LINDA LAVIN! SHE IS WONDERFUL.
Nicky Silver has written one of his better works in years — one that moves at acrackling pace, peopled by fleshy, interesting characters, including a terrifically sour Dick Latessa. One leaves the theatre laughing. Hurry! Will be one of the hotter tickets of the season!”
-Jocelyn Noveck, Associated Press

"A SHARP-TONGUED PLAY WITH SNAPPY DIALOGUE,
CURVY PLOT TWISTS, AND A TOP-FLIGHT CAST.
Nicky Silver has a knack for coaxing laughs out. Linda Lavin is delicious and constantly hilarious!"
-Joe Dziemianowicz, NY Daily News

"HAS AUDIENCES HOWLING!
Linda Lavin performs with remarkable emotional depth. Michael Esper’s performance is exceedingly moving. A superlative ensemble."
-Andy Propst, TheaterMania

"THE LYONS IS SMART AND FUNNY AND MOVING! LINDA LAVIN TRIUMPHS!
A deeply affecting portrait — entertaining and thought provoking!"
-Jesse Oxfeld, The Observer

"LINDA LAVIN IS SUBLIME!
A fitting addition to Nicky Silver's delightfully deranged oeuvre. Blissfully absurd."
-Melissa Rose Bernardo, Entertainment Weekly

"WILDLY FUNNY AND DEEPLY TOUCHING!
FULL OF BELLY LAUGHS AND STARK INSIGHTS!
Simultaneously heartbreaking and hilarious! These 'Lyons' are worth listening to!" -David Sheward, Backstage

“LAVIN IS A MARVEL TO WATCH!
Her Rita is a mother from hell, a woman on earth and a gifted actor in heaven.” -Adam Feldman, Time Out New York

“A BITTERLY FUNNY NEW PLAY. DARKLY HILARIOUS.
Mark Brokaw’s production is sterling — very well acted by a top-notch company. Linda Lavin’s performance is brilliant.”
-Michael Sommers, New Jersey Newsroom

“THE MOST ENJOYABLE PLAY I HAVE SEEN SO FAR THIS SEASON.
Hilarious!”
- Jonathan Mandell, The Faster Times

"ASTONISHING!
A tantalizing, very passionate comedy-drama.”
- Diana Barth, The Epoch Times

“The actress Linda Lavin and the playwright Nicky Silver slyly reinvent that creaky archetype, the smothering, belittling Jewish mother. This play, Mr Silver’s best in some years, also reinvents Mr. Silver’s eternal theme of the American family as a sick joke. Mark Brokaw directs a cast that includes an excellent Michael Esper and Dick Latessa.
-Ben Brantley, The New York Times




Find out more about the 2011-2012 Season.