Paula Vogel, Greg Pierce et al. Set for Vineyard's Paula Vogel Playwriting Award Luncheon with Linda Lavin 6/21

The Paula Vogel Award's first recipient was playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney, whose play WIG OUT! was a popular and critical success when it debuted at The Vineyard in 2008. Rajiv Joseph, author of the play BENGAL TIGER AT THE BAGHDAD ZOO last season on Broadway, was the Paula Vogel Award's second recipient, followed by Kara Lee Corthron in 2010, author of the play ETCHED IN SKIN ON A SUNLIT NIGHT and JULIUS BY DESIGN. Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, author of the play NEIGHBORS and an adaptation of THE OCTAROON, was last year's recipient.

When the Paula Vogel Award was established, Ms. Vogel said, "They say a person is judged by the company he or she keeps, and I am so honored by my association with the Vineyard Theatre -- they are a company I always want to keep. I am doubly honored: honored by having the award in my name from The Vineyard, and honored to be blessing a new generation of rising playwrights. The Vineyard fulfills the promise of its name: in planting the seeds of new plays, we as audiences reap the harvest."

Paula Vogel's long and cherished relationship with the Vineyard began with the theatre's acclaimed production of HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE, directed by Mark Brokaw; the play won the Pulitzer Prize, Lucille Lortel, Outer Critics Circle and Drama Desk Awards for Best Play. THE LONG CHRISTMAS RIDE HOME, also directed by Mark Brokaw, premiered at The Vineyard in 2001. Ms. Vogel's other plays include THE BALTIMORE WALTZ, THE MINEOLA TWINS, THE OLDEST PROFESSION, HOT N THROBBING and A CIVIL WAR CHRISTMAS.

One of the nation's leading non-profit theatre companies dedicated to new plays and musicals and bold programming, The Vineyard has consistently premiered provocative, groundbreaking works including the Pulitzer Prize-winning production of Edward Albee's THREE TALL WOMEN, Nicky Silver's PTERODACTYLS and RAISED IN CAPTIVITY, the Laura Nyro musical ELI'S COMIN', Gina Gionfriddo's AFTER ASHLEY, Tarell Alvin McCraney´s WIG OUT!, The Civilians' THIS BEAUTIFUL CITY, A BOY AND HIS SOUL, written and performed by Colman Domingo, Adam Rapp´s THE METAL CHILDREN, Will Eno's MIDDLETOWN and Christopher Shinn's PICKED. This season, The Vineyard has premiered Nicky Silver's THE LYONS with Linda Lavin and Dick Latessa, Zayd Dohrn's OUTSIDE PEOPLE and NOW. HERE. THIS. by the cast/creators of [title of show]. Most recently, The Vineyard presented a developmental lab production of the new musical THE LANDING with music by John Kander and book and lyrics by Greg Pierce.

The Vineyard produced the world premiere of the musical THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS – with music and lyrics by John Kander and Fred Ebb, book by David Thompson, with direction and choreography Susan Stroman – in March 2010 at The Vineyard and then on Broadway. Vineyard Theatre is a recipient of the Tony Award for the musical AVENUE Q and continues as producer of the musical´s current production at New World Stages in New York. The Vineyard also produced the musical [title of show] both off and on Broadway and is represented on Broadway this season with its production of THE LYONS at the Cort Theatre.

In addition to its Tony Award nomination and the Obie Award for Ms. Lavin, THE LYONS received 3 Outer Critics Circle Award nominations, two Drama Desk Award nominations and two Drama League Award nominations, along with 5 Best of Off-Broadway TINA Awards: Vineyard Theatre Best Season (Non-Profit), Best Off-Broadway Play THE LYONS, Best Actress Play Linda Lavin, Best Lighting Design NOW. HERE. THIS. Jeff Croiter and Grant Yeager; Best Long-Running Off-Broadway Show AVENUE Q.

For more information, visit www.vineyardtheatre.org.

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