Photo Coverage: Steve Bakunas Paints Linda Lavin in PORTRAIT OF AN ARTIST
By: Stephen Sorokoff Jun. 17, 2014
PORTRAIT OF AN ARTIST - an evening with the Tony Award-winning actress Linda Lavin and her husband Steve Bakunas, a painter, actor and jazz drummer - was just presented by the Vineyard Theatre (108 E. 15 St.) last night, June 16 at 7 pm to benefit the company's productions, artistic development initiatives and arts education programs, it has been announced by Douglas Aibel, The Vineyard's artistic director, and Sarah Stern, co-artistic director.
PORTRAIT OF AN ARTIST featured Ms. Lavin and Mr. Bakunas in a 90-minute intimate evening during which Ms. Lavin answers questions about her life and career, posed by her husband while he paints her portrait on stage. An evening of warmth, romance, humor and nostalgia, the couple has previously performed the program at venues around the country.
Mr. Bakunas life and travels have taken him from Connecticut to California, from living in cars to joining the circus, and now as a painter, actor and jazz drummer, performing frequently with musical director Billy Stritch and combo, including Ms. Lavin's own concert engagements.
Linda Lavin is presently starring at The Vineyard in Nicky Silver's newest play, TOO MUCH SUN, in previews now prior to opening May 18. Directed by Mark Brokaw, the cast also features Jennifer Westfeldt, Ken Barnett, Richard Bekins, Matt Dellapina and Matt Dixon. In the play, Ms. Lavin portrays Audrey Langham, a celebrated atress who unravels completely while preparing for a new production of MEDEA. With nowehere else to go, she descends upon her married daughte for a summer by the sea. She is not, however, greeted with confetti and champagne, and her arrival sets off a chain of events alternately hilarious, harrowing and unforgettable. The play runs through June 22.
Nickey Silver & Linda Lavin
"Mickey"
Steve Bakunas & Stephen Sorokoff
EDa Sorokoff & Wendy Radus Federman
"Mickey" & EDa Sorokoff
Paintings by Steve Bakunas
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