THE LYONS Opens Tonight at TheatreWorks New Milford

Tonight, February 20, TheatreWorks New Milford will kick off its 2015 Main Stage Season with celebrated playwright Nicky Silver's Broadway debut - the savage comedy-drama, THE LYONS. The curtain rises at 8:00 p.m. on this four-week run.

Set in an ordinary hospital room, Ben Lyons lies dying. Rita, his wife of forty years, flips through decorating magazines, planning a living room makeover. It's clear Ben and Rita have been at war for many years, and that Ben's impending demise has brought no relief. When they're joined by their children, Lisa and Curtis, all efforts at a pleasant visit or a sentimental goodbye are soon abandoned. Terrible secrets and vicious accusations replace sentimental memories. After Curtis's desperate attempt to make a new connection ends disastrously, each of THE LYONS take their first tentative steps toward making a new 'human' connection in this darkly comedic tale.

"THE LYONS is a play about connections. Every one of us is looking for a connection in life, whether it be with another person or with themselves. The Lyons family blames their inability to connect on each other, resulting in frustration, tragedy, and believe it or not, hilarity," said director and co-set designer Matt Austin of Danbury. "Directing is 90% casting and 10% making sure the actors don't bump into the furniture. I'm thrilled to have found the perfect cast for this show and can't wait to share it with an audience."

"[Playwright] Nicky Silver didn't call this family the 'Lyons' by coincidence," said co-producer and co-lighting designer Richard Pettibone of New Milford. "They're sharp, domineering, and always ready to attack. But when their claws do come out, it's in extremely hilarious ways."

The production features some of the finest actors in the region: Elizabeth Young (Newtown), Courtney Lauria (Wilton), Jody Bayer (Danbury), and William Hughes, Joseph Russo, and James Hipp (all New Milford).

Besides Austin and Pettibone, the show's crew consists of co-producer, co-costumer, and co-set designer William Hughes (also in the cast), co-costumer Joseph Russo (also in the cast), co-lighting designer Scott Wyshynski, sound designer Tom Libonate, and stage manager Erin Shaugnessy.

THE LYONS first premiered off-Broadway at the Vineyard Theatre on October 11, 2011 and made its Broadway debut at The Cort Theatre on April 23, 2012. The Hollywood Reporter called the play "Black-comedy Perfection."
THE LYONS runs February 20,21 27,28 March 6,7,8 13,14. Curtain time is 8:00 p.m. Fridays & Saturdays, with a 2:00 p.m. Sunday matinee on March 8. Tickets for all shows are $23 for reserved seating. Students and Military personnel with ID will be admitted for $18.

On Thursday, February 19, Senior Citizens are invited to a free dress rehearsal at 8:00 p.m. Thursday, February 26 at 8:00 p.m. is TheatreWorks' Pay-What-You-Want night. At this performance, patrons name the price for their ticket.

Reservations can be made online at THEATREWORKS.US or by calling the box office at (860) 350-6863.

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