Bucks County Playhouse Remembers Playwright Christopher Durang

NEW HOPE, PA — Tony-winning American playwright, actor, and satirist Christopher Durang, who passed away on Tuesday at his home in Pipersville, is being remembered by the Bucks County Playhouse where he served as a member of its Artists Board.

The 75-year-old Durang had a career that spanned five decades and included writing for both the stage and television. His plays have been produced on and off-Broadway, around the country and aboard.

His plays included "Beyond Therapy," "Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All For You," "The Marriage of Bette and Boo," "Baby with the Bathwater," "Laughing Wild," "A History of the American Film," "Betty's Summer Vacation," and "Mrs. Bob Cratchit's Wild Christmas Binge."

Among his notable appearances was at Bucks County Playhouse in 2014, when he played Vanya in his Tony-winning triumph, “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike” opposite Marilu Henner and Deirdre Madigan.

Christopher Durang, Clea Alsip, Deirdre Madigan and Marilu Henner appearing in “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike." (photo by Mandee Hammerstein)

“Everyone at Bucks County Playhouse is tremendously saddened by the news of Chris’ passing," reads a statement issued by Bucks County Playhouse’s Producing Director Alexander Fraser, Executive Producer Robyn Goodman and Producer Josh Fiedler.

"While we knew Chris over the years in New York, it wasn’t until we came to New Hope in 2014 that we got to know him and John well," the Playhouse producers said. "Our first season, we asked Chris to play Vanya in his play, 'Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike.' Initially hesitant, we didn’t take no for an answer.

"As talented an actor as he was a playwright, he was terrific in the part and quickly became an ardent supporter and joined our board in 2015," the statement continues. "John became an artistic associate shortly thereafter, and together they became beloved members of our family. We send our love to John and to Chris’ large community in celebrating his legacy.”