Aurora Extends Bay Area Premiere of THE LYONS Through March 8

Critics and audiences agree -- THE LYONS roars! Aurora Theatre Company announces that it will add an additional six performances of the Bay Area Premiere of Nicky Silver's (Pterodactyls, Raised in Captivity) scathingly funny Broadway hit THE LYONS.

Tony-nominated director Barbara Damashek, who helmed Aurora Theatre Company's productions of American Buffalo, Fat Pig, and Private Jokes, Public Places, returns to direct THE LYONS, featuring Ellen Ratner (After the Revolution, Awake and Sing!), Will Marchetti (Knock Knock), Jessica Bates (After the Revolution), Nicholas Pelczar (Dublin Carol, Marius), Joe Estlack (Shotgun Players, Magic Theatre), and Edris Cooper-Anifowoshe (Brava Theater, TheatreWorks, Magic Theatre).

THE LYONS plays now through March 8 (added performances: Tuesday, March 3, 7pm; Wednesday, March 4, 8pm; Thursday, March 5, 8pm; Friday, March 6, 8pm; Saturday, March 7, 8pm; Sunday, March 8, 2pm) at the Aurora Theatre in Berkeley. For tickets ($32-60) and information the public can call (510) 843-4822 or visit auroratheatre.org. For mature audiences.

Rita Lyons is the indomitable matriarch of a family facing a major crossroads. Her husband, Ben, is dying, her son is in a dubious relationship, and her daughter is barely keeping her head above water. Not to mention Rita's living room is in desperate need of redecoration. As the family gathers around Ben's hospital bed, they discover that they're as terrified of being together as they are of being alone as tempers flare and vicious accusations replace sentimental memories. THE LYONS is a deliciously savage, intimate examination of how we cope with life, death, loneliness, and disappointment.

THE LYONS is the fully-staged anchor production in this season's Global Age Project (GAP), an Aurora Theatre Company initiative that encourages playwrights and directors to explore life in the 21st century and beyond. This year's GAP prize-winners include: Red Flamboyant by Don Nguyen; FTW by Jonathan Spector; and Ironbound by Martyna Majok. The selected GAP plays will be presented as staged readings in a four-week festival at the Aurora Theatre, Mondays, February 9-March 2, 7:30pm, culminating in a 10th Anniversary celebration honoring the artists who have made the Global Age Project a success. All GAP readings are free and open to the public.

Following THE LYONS, Aurora Theatre Company pays homage to Lanford Wilson with "The Talley Trilogy" in April with the Pulitzer Prize-winning TALLEY'S FOLLY, directed by Joy Carlin in Harry's UpStage, followed by FIFTH OF JULY, helmed by Aurora Theatre Company Artistic Director Tom Ross. As a special addition to the 23rd season, and completing the trilogy, Aurora will present readings of Wilson's rarely performed play TALLEY & SON in April, directed by Jennifer King. Aurora Theatre Company closes its 23rd season in June with the Bay Area Premiere of Lisa D'Amour's wicked Obie-winning satire DETROIT, directed by Josh Costello.

Voted Best Theater Company in 2012 by SF Weekly, Aurora Theatre Company continues to offer challenging, literate, intelligent stage works to the Bay Area, each year increasing its reputation for top-notch theater. Located in the heart of the Downtown Berkeley Arts District, Aurora Theatre Company, declared "one of the best regional theaters around" by 7x7 magazine, has been called "one of the most important regional theaters in the area" and "a must-see midsize company" by the San Francisco Chronicle, while The Wall Street Journal has "nothing but praise for the Aurora." The Contra Costa Times stated "perfection is probably an unattainable ideal in a medium as fluid as live performance, but the Aurora Theatre comes luminously close," while the San Jose Mercury News affirmed Aurora Theatre Company is "arguably the finest small theater in the Bay Area," and the Oakland Tribune stated "it's all about choices, and if you value good theater, choose the Aurora."

Pictured: Rita (r. Ellen Ratner*) and Curtis (l. Nicholas Pelczar*) reminisce about Judy Garland songs as Ben (c. Will Marchetti*) lays dying. Photo by David Allen.

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