Ken Barnett, Richard Bekins & More to Join Linda Lavin in Nicky Silver's TOO MUCH SUN at Vineyard Theatre

TOO MUCH SUN - the newest play by Nicky Silver - will be given its world-premiere production this spring at the Vineyard Theatre (108 E. 15 St.) starring the Tony Award-winning actress Linda Lavin, joined by the newly-announced cast: Ken Barnett, Richard Bekins, Matt Dellapina, Matt Dickson and Jennifer Westfeldt, it has been announced by Douglas Aibel, The Vineyard's Artistic Director, and Sarah Stern, Co-Artistic Director. Mark Brokaw directs the production, scheduled to begin previews May 1 prior to an official opening night on May 18.

TOO MUCH SUN reunites Ms. Lavin, Messrs. Silver and Brokaw along with The Vineyard, where Mr. Silver's acclaimed play THE LYONS debuted in 2012 prior to its transfer to Broadway, earning Ms. Lavin her 6th Tony nomination. Simultaneous with her starring role in TOO MUCH SUN, Ms. Lavin appears this spring in the film A SHORT HISTORY OF DECAY - written and directed by Michael Maren and co-starring Harris Yulin - opening in theaters May 16.

In TOO MUCH SUN, Ms. Lavin portrays Audrey Langham, a celebrated actress who unravels completely while preparing for a new production of MEDEA. With nowhere else to go, she descends upon her married daughter for a summer by the sea. She is not, however, greeted with confetti and champagne. Her arrival sets off a chain of events alternately hilarious, harrowing and unforgettable.

Richard Bekins has appeared on Broadway in TARTUFFE, LOVE! VALOR! COMPASSION! and the musical HAPPY NEW YEAR and at The Vineyard in SOMEWHERE FUN. His numerous TV appearances include several years on ANOTHER WORLD and guest appearances MAD MEN, BLUE BLOODS and THE GOOD WIFE. He appeared in the films UNITED 93 and JULIE AND JULIA. Matt Dickson performed on Broadway in WAR HORSE, and Matt Dellapina's Off-Broadway roles include in OUTSIDE PEOPLE at Vineyard Theatre, DREAM OF THE BURNING BOY and The Civilians' IN THE FOOTPRINT.

Ken Barnett has appeared Off-Broadway in AND BABY MAKES SEVEN by Paula Vogel at New Ohio Theatre and on Broadway in WONDERFUL TOWN and Julie Taymor's THE GREEN BIRD.

JENNIFER WESTFELDT wrote and starred in the films KISSING JESSICA STEIN and FRIENDS WITH KIDS. She was nominated for a Tony Award for her performance in WONDERFUL TOWN and her other numerous theatre credits include A LIFETIME BURNING and Steven Soderbergh's THE LIBRARY at The Public Theater.

Linda Lavin won the Tony Award for Leading Actress in a Play for Neil Simon's BROADWAY BOUND. She has been nominated for the Tony on five other occasions: LAST OF THE RED HOT LOVERS, THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK, THE TALE OF THE ALLERGIST'S WIFE, COLLECTED STORIES and THE LYONS. A frequent star on Broadway since the 1960's, her numerous roles include in GYPSY, IT'S A BIRD...IT'S A PLANE...IT'S SUPERMAN, THE SISTERS ROSENSWEIG and HOLLYWOOD ARMS. Her many Off-Broadway appearances include OTHER DESERT CITIES and LITTLE MURDERS, and she performed in the Kennedy Center production of FOLLIES. She has won two Drama Desk Awards and two Obies. Widely-known as the star of the long-running television hit ALICE - for which she was nominated for three Golden Globe Awards, winning twice - Ms. Lavin's other television roles include on BARNEY MILLER, CONRAD BLOOM, ROOM FOR TWO, THE O.C. and THE SOPRANOS. Her many film credits include A SHORT HISTORY OF DECAY, THE BACK-UP PLAN, THE RING, SEE YOU IN THE MORNING and A PLACE TO CALL HOME.

A celebrated singer and concert artist, she released her first solo album POSSIBILITIES (Ghostlight Records) in 2012, with musical director Billy Stritch and a jazz band including her husband, drummer Steve Bakunas. Linda and Steve enjoy a wonderful life, which includes their dog Micky. TOO MUCH SUN marks Ms. Lavin's return to the stage having recently concluded filming the NBC TV series SEAN SAVES THE WORLD opposite co-star Sean Hayes.

The design team for TOO MUCH SUN is - scenic design by Donyale Werle; lighting design by David Lander; costume design by Michael Krass; and sound design by David Van Tieghem.

Vineyard Theatre is one of the nation's leading non-profit theatre companies now in its 31st year. Dedicated to the creation and production of daring new plays and musicals, The Vineyard has consistently premiered provocative, groundbreaking works, including Nicky Silver's THE LYONS; Marx, Lopez and Whitty's Tony Award-winning musical AVENUE Q; Kander and Ebb's THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS; Bell and Bowen's [title of show]; Paula Vogel's HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE (1998 Pulitzer Prize); Edward Albee's THREE TALL WOMEN (1994 Pulitzer Prize); Tarell Alvin McCraney's WIG OUT!; Will Eno's MIDDLETOWN and many more. The Vineyard's productions have been honored with two Pulitzer Prizes, three Tony Awards and numerous Drama Desk, Obies, Outer Critics Circle and Lucille Lortel Awards.

This season, The Vineyard produced the world-premiere of THE LANDING, the new musical by John Kander and Greg Pierce, and the NY debut of the chamber musical ARLINGTON by Victor Lodato and Polly Pen, directed by Carolyn Cantor and starring Alexandra Silber.

The Vineyard Theatre's leadership includes Douglas Aibel (Artistic Director), Sarah Stern (Co-Artistic Director), Jennifer Garvey-Blackwell (Executive Producer).

TOO MUCH SUN will perform Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 7 pm; Thursdays and Fridays at 8 pm; Saturdays at 3 and 8 pm and Sundays at 3 pm. Tickets are $80 and can be purchased at the box office, by phone at 212 353 0303 or online at www.vineyardtheatre.org.

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