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Christopher Durang

Birth Place: Montclair, NJ, USA

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BIO

Christopher Ferdinand Durang (January 2, 1949 – April 2, 2024) was an American playwright known for works of outrageous and often absurd comedy. His work was especially popular in the 1980s, though his career seemed to get a second wind in the late 1990s.



Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All For You was Durang's watershed play as it brought him to national prominence when it won him the Obie Award for Best Playwright (1980). His play Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike won the Tony Award for Best Play in 2013. The production was directed by Nicholas Martin, and featured Sigourney Weaver, David Hyde Pierce, Kristine Nielsen, Billy Magnussen, Shalita Grant and Genevieve Angelson. Durang was a past co-director of the Lila Acheson Wallace American Playwrights Program at Juilliard.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

[Off-Broadway]
Encores! Concert, 1995
Congressman Wilkins

[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 1993
Performer

[Off-Broadway]
1989
Ubu's Conscience

[Off-Broadway]
1987
Man

[Off-Broadway]
1985
Matt

[Off-Broadway]
1983
Michael (A New Approach)/ Wallace (The Birthday Present)

[Off-Broadway]
1981
Aloysius Benheim/ George Spevlin [Replacement]

[Off-Broadway]
1980
Performer

[Off-Broadway]
1976
Performer

[College/University (US)]
World Premiere, 1974
Ensemble/Other Roles

Productions

 
[Off-Broadway, 2014]
Writer
 
[Off-Broadway, 1998]
Adaptation
 
[Off-Broadway, 1988]
Director

Writing

Playwright
Playwright
Playwright
Bookwriter
Playwright
Playwright
Playwright
Lyricist
Bookwriter

Awards and Nominations


winner
- 2013 - Legend of Off Broadway Honoree

Christopher Durang


winner
BroadwayWorld Awards - 2013 - Best Play

Christopher Durang, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike

Drama Desk Awards - 2013 - Outstanding Play

Christopher Durang, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike

Tony Awards - 2013 - Best Play

Christopher Durang, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike


winner
The Lortels - 2007 - Playwrights' Sidewalk Inductee

Christopher Durang

The Pulitzer Prize - 2006 - The Pulitzer Prize for Drama

Christopher Durang, Miss Witherspoon

The Pulitzer Prize - 2006 - The Pulitzer Prize for Drama

Christopher Durang, Miss Witherspoon


winner
Obie Awards - 1999 - Playwrighting

Christopher Durang, Betty's Summer Vacation


winner
Obie Awards - 1985 - Playwriting

Christopher Durang, The Marriage of Bette and Boo

Drama Desk Awards - 1980 - Outstanding Actor in a Musical

Christopher Durang, Das Lusitania Songspiel


winner
Obie Awards - 1980 - Playwriting

Christopher Durang, Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All for You

Tony Awards - 1978 - Best Book of a Musical

Christopher Durang, A History of the American Film

Videos

News


Kevin McHale Will Make UK Stage Debut in Sondheim's THE FROGS

Kevin McHale will make his UK stage debut in Sondheim's The Frogs, coming to Southwark Playhouse Borough next year. Learn more about the show and how to get tickets here!
Review: VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE at 4th Wall Theatre Company

I feel like this company, at this point in time, is simply happy to be here doing this show, and I can say the feeling is infectious. It’s not your typical holiday offering, but you can never be wrong with the wit of Christopher Durang and the magic of invoking the spirit of Maggie Smith. I’m thankful this season for companies like 4th WALL, which produce plays that offer the joy of what theater is all about.
Photos: VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE Presented By 4th Wall Theatre Company

4th Wall Theatre Company continues its 14th season with Christopher Durang’s VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE, directed by 4th Wall Artistic Director, Jennifer Dean. Get a first look at photos!
Jinkx Monsoon, Nicholas Barasch, Preston Truman Boyd, Samantha Williams Join PIRATES! THE PENZANCE MUSICAL

Roundabout Theatre Company has just announced further casting, design team and a brand-new title for its reimagined The Pirates of Penzance. This jazz-infused, New Orleans-style Broadway production, now titled Pirates! The Penzance Musical.
DO YOU FEEL ANGER? Comes to the Court Square Theatre This Week

An all new production: Do You Feel Anger? will come to the Court Square Theatre this week. Do You Feel Anger? is an absurdist comedy that provides a satirical look at everyday power dynamics in the workplace.
Photos: First Look at MRS. BOB CRATCHIT’S WILD CHRISTMAS BINGE at SBCC

The SBCC Theatre Arts Department presents a student showcase production of MRS. BOB CRATCHIT’S WILD CHRISTMAS BINGE by Christopher Durang, directed by Katie Laris, November 13-23, 2024 in the Jurkowitz Theatre. Check out first look photo here!
Theatre East to Present Reading of FRIDAY THE 13TH At Court Square Theater

Theatre East's Neighborhood Reading Series will return with a spooky adaptation of FRIDAY THE 13TH at Court Square Theater.
VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE Comes to 4th Wall Theatre Company

Following the hit success of Kate Hamill’s SENSE & SENSIBILITY last year, 4th Wall Theatre Company will launch into the upcoming holiday season with a revival of the Tony Award-winning comedy, VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE.
The SBCC Theatre Arts Department Will Perform MRS. BOB CRATCHIT'S WILD CHRISTMAS BINGE

The SBCC Theatre Arts Department will present a student showcase production of MRS. BOB CRATCHIT’S WILD CHRISTMAS BINGE by Christopher Durang, directed by Katie Laris, November 13-23, 2024 in the Jurkowitz Theatre.
VANYA & SONIA & MASHA & SPIKE to be Presented at Allen Contemporary Theatre

Allen Contemporary Theatre has revealed its fall production, Vanya & Sonia & Masha & Spike. This Tony Award-winning comedy, written by Christopher Durang, is a witty, laugh-out-loud modern twist on family dynamics, sibling rivalry, and the absurdities of life. Learn how to purchase tickets.
DRACULA: A COMEDY OF TERRORS & More Lead Dallas' Fall 2024 Top Theatre Shows

Dallas is never lacking outstanding theatre, whether epic Broadway shows, engrossing dramas or bold fringe offerings. BroadwayWorld is rounding up our top recommended theatre every month. Check out our top picks for fall 2024!
Appalachian Center For The Arts Announces 2024-2025 Vitality New Play Commissions

The Appalachian Center for the Arts has announced its 2024-2025 Vitality New Play Commissions. Five nationally-recognized playwrights are writing new plays for The App's Vitality Touring Theatre Company, which presents plays and musicals on health and wellness topics for elementary school through adult audiences.
VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE Comes to the Players' Ring Theatre

“Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike,” a Tony award winning, deliriously funny comedy, will begin the 2024-25 season of the Players’ Ring Theatre.
UTA Names Patrick Herold And Rachel Viola Co-Heads Of Theatre

UTA has named Patrick Herold and Rachel Viola co-heads of the agency’s theatre practice. Read more.
Burning Coal Theatre Company to Present BRINGING THEM HOME

Burning Coal Theatre Company will present the premiere of Abbe Fralix and Jerome Davis’ Bringing Them Home. Learn how to purchase tickets.
Theatre East's Improv Presents OPEN PLAY

Enjoy an evening of spontaneous comedy with top improv graduates from UCB, Second City, PIT, and BCC at Court Square Theater on July 27th.
Video: VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE at Theater Raleigh

Get a first look at the cast of Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike in action, playing July 17th - 28th at Theatre Raleigh!
Review: Theatre Raleigh's VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE

Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike centers on middle-aged siblings who share a home in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, where they bicker and complain about the circumstances of their lives.
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld July 15, 2024

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is July 15, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Christopher Durang written?

Christopher Durang has written 21 shows including Das Lusitania Songspiel (Author), Titanic (Playwright), A History of the American Film (Bookwriter/Lyricist), Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All For You (Playwright), Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All for You/ The Actor's Nightmare (Playwright), Beyond Therapy (Playwright), Baby with the Bathwater (Playwright), The Marriage of Bette and Boo (Playwright), Laughing Wild (Playwright), Urban Blight (Bookwriter), Durang/ Durang (Playwright), Sex and Longing (Playwright), Betty's Summer Vacation (Playwright), Adrift in Macao (Bookwriter), Miss Witherspoon (Playwright), The Marriage Of Bette And Boo (Playwright), Why Torture Is Wrong, and the People Who Love Them (Playwright), All About Me (Playwright), Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike (Playwright), In Your Arms (Story), Pamela's First Musical (Bookwriter).

What awards has Christopher Durang been nominated for?

Legend of Off Broadway Honoree () for , Best Play (BroadwayWorld Awards) for Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, Outstanding Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, Best Play (Tony Awards) for Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, Playwrights' Sidewalk Inductee (The Lortels), The Pulitzer Prize for Drama (The Pulitzer Prize) for Miss Witherspoon, The Pulitzer Prize for Drama (The Pulitzer Prize) for Miss Witherspoon, Playwrighting (Obie Awards) for Betty's Summer Vacation, Playwriting (Obie Awards) for The Marriage of Bette and Boo, Outstanding Actor in a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Das Lusitania Songspiel, Playwriting (Obie Awards) for Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All for You and Best Book of a Musical (Tony Awards) for A History of the American Film.

What awards has Christopher Durang won?

Christopher Durang has received several prestigious awards throughout his career. He was honored as a Legend of Off Broadway. He won Best Play at the BroadwayWorld Awards for Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike. Additionally, he is a Playwrights' Sidewalk Inductee (The Lortels). Durang has also received multiple Obie Awards for Playwriting, specifically for Betty's Summer Vacation, The Marriage of Bette and Boo, and Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All for You.

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