Christopher Durang Headshot

Christopher Durang

Birth Place: Montclair, NJ, USA

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Christopher Durang 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.

Christopher Durang Photos

Christopher Durang 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

Christopher Durang Productions

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

Writing

Playwright
Playwright
Playwright
Bookwriter
Playwright
Playwright
Playwright
Lyricist
Bookwriter

Christopher Durang 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

Christopher Durang Videos

Christopher Durang News


VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE to Offer $35 Tickets Through Lottery


The online ticket lottery for Lincoln Center Theater’s staged reading of Christopher Durang’s Tony Award-winning play VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE is now open. Learn how to purchase tickets.

Playwright Christopher Durang Dies at Age 75


BroadwayWorld is saddened to report that playwright Christopher Durang has died at age 75.

LCT to Present Cocktail Party Following Performance of VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE


MARIA TASH will host an exclusive cocktail party, Spike’s Lounge, at David Geffen Hall on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, immediately following the LCT Gala staged reading of Christopher Durang’s Tony Award-winning play VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE.

Ella Dershowitz & Jill Eikenberry to Star in TWO HANDER World Premiere at NJRep


New Jersey Repertory Company will continue its 27th Season with the world premiere of Two Hander by Julia Blauvelt. Learn how to purchase tickets.

The Adobe Theater Presents VANYA & SONYA & MASHA & SPIKE


Catch the hilarious comedy VANYA & SONYA & MASHA & SPIKE at THE ADOBE THEATER from April 19 to May 12, 2024. Performances on Fridays, Saturdays, with a special $10 show on Thursday, May 9.

Review: VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE at Placer Community Theater


Sibling rivalry, unrealized dreams, and learning to age gracefully are some themes currently on display in Placer Community Theater’s production of Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike. Christopher Durang’s nod to the works of Anton Chekhov premiered on Broadway in 2013 and won the Tony Award for Best Play. It incorporates Chekhov Easter eggs such as character names, locations, and situations, yet familiarity with Chekhov isn’t necessary to enjoy Durang’s play.

AXIS Comes to The Marsh in April


The Marsh San Francisco will present Axis, a vivid new production directed and written by Dirk Alphin. Performances run April 7-28, 2024.

Work by Rachel Bloom, Sara Porkalob & More Set for 2024 Williamstown Theatre Festival Summer Season


The 2024 Williamstown Theatre Festival summer season has revealed its lineup. See the shows being presented and learn how to purchase tickets.

Gloucester Stage Company Reveals 45th Anniversary Season


Gloucester Stage Company has announced the upcoming season, marking a significant milestone as it celebrates its 45th year of bringing theater to audiences in Gloucester and beyond. Learn more about the full season lineup here!

VANYA, SONIA, MASHA, AND SPIKE Comes to Placer Community Theater


 Opening its 2024 Season, Placer Community Theater will present this Friday, March 8, and for 3 consecutive weekends, ending on March 23, the Tony Award-winning play Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, a comedy written by Christopher Durang.

DREAMGIRLS Starts Performances at McCarter This Week - Full Cast Announced!


McCarter Theatre Center has announced the cast for the revival of the Tony and Grammy award-winning DREAMGIRLS. Learn more here!

Christopher Durang to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award at 2024 Dramatists Guild Awards


Playwright Christopher Durang is the recipient of The Dramatists Guild's 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award. Learn more about Durang and about the award!

Ballet Tech to Present 30th Anniversary Kids Dance at the Joyce


Ballet Tech will return to The Joyce Theater for the 30th anniversary of its Kids Dance student performance troupe, May 30–June 2. Learn how to purchase tickets!

Wake Up With BroadwayWorld February 22, 2024


Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is February 22, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.

Sigourney Weaver, David Hyde Pierce & More to Reunite for VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE


Bartlett Sher will direct a staged reading of Christopher Durang’s Tony Award-winning play VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE, featuring original cast members. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets!

Middlebury Community Players Presents VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE!


Tickets Now on Sale for VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE! A wickedly funny play about family, hope, and the choices we make in life!

Theatre East to Present PLAY ROOM SERIES Starting Next Week


Theatre East will celebrate new plays with the Play Room Series beginning January 22.

VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE Comes to Placer Community Theater in March


Placer Community Theater will bring to stage the Tony Award winning play Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, a comedy written by Christopher Durang, for three consecutive weekends, March 8-23, at the General Gomez Arts center in Auburn.

VIDEO: Get a First Look at DREAMGIRLS at McCarter Theatre Center


Get a first look at footage of Dreamgirls at McCarter Theatre Center. Learn how to purchase tickets!

Director Jon Royal Selected As The SDCF 2023 Lloyd Richards New Futures Resident Artist At St. Louis Black Repertory Theatre


Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation (SDCF) announces that Jon Royal, a director, teaching artist, and facilitator from Nashville, TN, has been selected as the 2023 Lloyd Richards New Futures Resident Artist at St. Louis Black Repertory Theatre, where he will work with Founder and Producing Director Ron Himes.

Christopher Durang 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?

Christopher Durang has been nominated for several awards throughout his career, including the Legend of Off Broadway Honoree, Best Play (BroadwayWorld Awards), Outstanding Play (Drama Desk Awards), Best Play (Tony Awards), Playwrights' Sidewalk Inductee (The Lortels), The Pulitzer Prize for Drama (The Pulitzer Prize), Playwriting (Obie Awards), Outstanding Actor in a Musical (Drama Desk Awards), and Best Book of a Musical (Tony Awards). Some of the notable works he has been recognized for include "Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike," "Miss Witherspoon," "Betty's Summer Vacation," "The Marriage of Bette and Boo," "Das Lusitania Songspiel," "Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All for You," and "A History of the American Film."

What awards has Christopher Durang won?

Christopher Durang has won several awards, including Legend of Off Broadway Honoree for "Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike," Best Play at the BroadwayWorld Awards for the same play, Playwrights' Sidewalk Inductee at The Lortels, and Playwriting Obie Awards for "Betty's Summer Vacation," "The Marriage of Bette and Boo," and "Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All for You."

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