Vanya & Sonia & Masha & Spike by Christopher Durang - 2m, 4w
Middle-aged siblings Vanya and Sonia share a home in Bucks County, PA, where they bicker and complain about the circumstances of their lives. Suddenly, their movie-star sister, Masha, swoops in with her new boy toy, Spike. Old resentments flare up, eventually leading to threats to sell the house. Also on the scene are sassy maid Cassandra, who can predict the future, and a lovely young aspiring actress named Nina, whose prettiness somewhat worries the imperious Masha.
Labels: comedy, contemporary
posted by Larisa at 5:00 PM
8 Comments:
See previous comments on blog if you scroll down. It wasn't a favorite.
I didn't love it previously. I don't like it any better this time around.
I'll pass on it.
I really like this quirky play - as I reread it I thought of the production at the Guthrie and now engaged I was during the show - however, if we are strongly considering the other Chekhov by Craig Johnson - I don't know if we want two Chekhov associated plays in the same season - although of course Vanya-Sonja is using it as a jumping off point - although maybe we do want to do that! I would like to see this play scheduled at TRP sometime but understand that is a minority view.
I saw the play at the Guthrie with LSA and agree with all of her statements. I would much rather see Craig's Platanov in next season, but if the timing does not work to fit him in with it, I think this would be a re-envisioned classic that I could get behind. When it was proposed last year (or the year before) I wasn't going to go against the group consensus, but after reading it again - I think it should be kept in the mix. Also Durang has a following and we are short on Comedies. Keep it in the mix from me.
I agree with Howard. I didn't care for it when we read it last time, and I didn't enjoy the Guthrie production. As Dwight would say, "Not my cuppa."
I suggested this for consideration this year. I can agree with a couple of comments about putting it off/keeping it in the mix for another year if we decide to do the Chekhov adaptation. (Though, I want to point out that this isn't really a Chekhov adaptation. It's very loosely connected to Chekhov.) I have enjoyed this play because I enjoy the mix of absurdity, dark humor, existential dread, and hope. It's fun and yet it expresses very "grounded" emotions.
I thought this play was absolutely hilarious and could be a hit with TRP. The question is whether this would be a good fit in the next season lineup. It's a yes from me, I loved the dark humor and irreverency along with the plentiful Chekhov references.
I too enjoyed the Guthrie production and think this would be a good fit for TRP. I haven't read Craig's adaptation but generally Chekhov can be tough for audiences to get behind.
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