Linda Lavin to Be Honored at Vineyard Theatre Gala, 3/12

Tony Award®-winning actor Linda Lavin - who recently starred in the Vineyard Theatre's acclaimed production of Nicky Silver's hit play THE LYONS - willbe honored by the nonprofit theatre company at its annual Gala on Monday, March 12, 2012 at 6pm at the Hudson Theatre at the Millennium Broadway Hotel (145 W. 44 St.), it has been announced by The Vineyard. The evening will be directed by Carl Andress, who recently staged the benefit concert of THE VISIT on Broadway for The Vineyard and The Actors Fund. The emcee and roster of talent for the evening will be announced shortly.

Ms. Lavin recently starred in The Vineyard's world premiere production of THE LYONS by Nicky Silver and directed by Mark Brokaw, earning praise across the board from critics and audiences for her landmark portrayal of Rita Lyons, the indomitable matriarch of a fractured family who summons her children to the bedside of their dying father.

A beloved actor on stage, film and TV, Linda Lavin appeared at the Kennedy Center in FOLLIES and at Lincoln Center Theater in OTHER DESERT CITIES, THE SISTERS ROSENSWEIG (Broadway), and THE NEW CENTURY (Drama Desk Award; Off-Broadway). Broadway credits include COLLECTED STORIES (Tony nomination), HOLLYWOOD ARMS, THE TALE OF THE ALLERGIST'S WIFE (Tony nomination), THE DIARY OFAnne Frank (Tony nomination, Drama Desk Award), GYPSY, BROADWAY BOUND (Tony Award, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, Helen Hayes awards), THE LAST OF THE RED HOT LOVERS (Tony nomination), IT'S A BIRD…IT'S A PLANE…IT'S SUPERMAN, A FAMILY AFFAIR. Her off-Broadway credits include: CAKEWALK; DEATH (The Public); THE MAD SHOW; OH, KAY! (Theatre World Award) and LITTLE MURDERS (Outside Critics Circle Award). Her film credits include "The Backup Plan," "The Muppets Take Manhattan," "See You in the Morning," "I Want to Go Home" and
TV credits include "Alice", "Barney Miller", "Room for Two", "Conrad Bloom". Cabaret appearances include SONGS AND CONFESSIONS OF A ONE-TIME WAITRESS; and national appearances include Birdland, The Metropolitan Room, Wilmington Symphony, NY. Upcoming: the film "Wanderlust."

Ms. Lavin's first CD, "Possibilities" -- featuring a mix of Broadway standards and cabaret songs, with musical arrangements by Billy Stritch -- was recently released, also to critical acclaim, by Ghostlight Records.

Honorees of The Vineyard's Annual Gala in recent years have included Susan Stroman, John Kander, Marian Seldes, Edward Albee and Paula Vogel.

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 productions of Edward Albee´s THREE TALL WOMEN and Paula Vogel´s HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE, Tarell Alvin McCraney´s WIG OUT!, The Civilians´ THIS BEAUTIFUL CITY, Nicky Silver´s PTERODACTYLS and RAISED IN CAPTIVITY, the Laura Nyro musical ELI´S COMIN´, 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. Its current offering -- a co-production with Naked Angels-- is OUTSIDE PEOPLE by Zayd Dohrn, directed by Evan Cabnet, previewing Dec. 21 prior to opening Jan. 10. Following its premiere this fall of THE LYONS, The Vineyard co-produced with The Actors Fund a concert version of John Kander and Fred Ebb's musical THE VISIT -- starring Chita Rivera and John Cullum -- on Broadway. The world-premiere of NOW.HERE.THIS., from the creators of [title of show], and a developmental lab production of John Kander and Greg Pierce's musical THE LANDING will round out the 2011-2012 season at The Vineyard.

Douglas Aibel is Artistic Director of Vineyard Theatre, Jennifer Garvey-Blackwell is Executive Producer, Sarah Stern is Co-Artistic Director and Rebecca Habel is Managing Director.

For more information about tickets and VIP access to the event, please call (212) 353-3366 x242 or email development@vineyardtheatre.org. Tickets will go on sale in January.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/WM Photos