Nicky Silver's play THE LYONS received its world-premiere at the Vineyard Theatre in 2011. The production is a comedic and stirring work about a family grappling with the impending death of its patriarch. When Ben Lyons' wife, Rita, and their 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.
Death looms large in Nicky Silver’s Broadway play, “The Lyons,” a caustic and canny comedy about family dysfunction packed with surprises that are alternately hilarious, tragic and absurd. Emerging just as big as the Grim Reaper in her ferociously funny and constantly compelling star turn is Linda Lavin, who plays a wife (and soon-to-be-widow) and mother whose bark and bite can wreak havoc. And has.
“The Lyons” is blessed with Mark Brokaw’s nimble direction and a cast that mines all the dissonance as if each little imbroglio comes popping hot from a precious nugget. Lavin is the outright leader in this — everything from her New York accent to the world-weary mini-whine in her voice to the roll of her eyes says this is a woman who knows her mind and wants nothing to do with anyone else’s. The wonderful Dick Latessa is her dying husband; even though Silver gives him far too many cheap barbs based solely on high-level cursing, Latessa is a pro with the know-how to land them...“The Lyons” works best as lashing comedy, less as a meaningful look at anything. And there’s enough funny lashing to leave an audience happily smarting.
2011 | Off-Broadway |
Vineyard Theatre Production Off-Broadway |
2012 | Broadway |
Broadway Transfer Broadway |
Year | Ceremony | Category | Nominee |
---|---|---|---|
2012 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Actress in a Play | Linda Lavin |
2012 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Play | Nicky Silver |
2012 | Drama League Awards | Distinguished Performance Award | Linda Lavin |
2012 | Drama League Awards | Distinguished Production of a Play | 0 |
2012 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Actress in a Play | Linda Lavin |
2012 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Director of a Play | Mark Brokaw |
2012 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding New Broadway Play | 0 |
2012 | Tony Awards | Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play | Linda Lavin |
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