Nicky Silver's TOO MUCH SUN, Starring Linda Lavin, Begins Previews Tonight at the Vineyard

TOO MUCH SUN - the newest play by Nicky Silver - has been extended two weeks until June 22 at the Vineyard Theatre (108 E. 15 St.), With previews starting tonight, May 1, Too Much Sun opens May 18.

Mark Brokaw directs the cast starring the Tony Award-winning actress Linda Lavin (BROADWAY BOUND, "Alice"), joined by Ken Barnett (WONDERFUL TOWN, AND BABY MAKES SEVEN), Richard Bekins (TARTUFFE, LOVE! VALOR! COMPASSION!), Matt Dellapina (OUTSIDE PEOPLE, DREAM OF THE BURNING BOY), Matt Dickson (WAR HORSE, COAST OF UTOPIA) and Jennifer Westfeldt (THE LIBRARY, Kissing Jessica Stein).

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.

The design team for Too Much Sun is - scenic design by Donyale Werle; costume design by Michael Krass; lighting design by David Lander; and sound design by David Van Tieghem.

In conjunction with the premiere of Too Much Sun, The Vineyard has launched the first in a series of three spring online actions. Items up for bid include opening night tickets to Too Much Sun complete with the red carpet treatment, a set visit to "House of Cards," tickets to the taping of the "American Idol" finale, a theatre date with Kate Mulgrew, and more. The first auction is underway now until Thursday, May 1 at 5 pm. Bids can be made at www.biddingforgood.com/vineyardtheatre.

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).