Vanya & Sonia & Masha & Spike by Christopher Durang and winner of the 2013 Tony Award for Best Play is coming to The Garfield Center of the Arts (GCA) in Chestertown. Durang has infused Chekhovian characters and themes with his own style of gleeful mischief and mayhem to create a richly layered comedic confection. Wickedly funny, Vanya & Sonia & Masha & Spike address issues of relationships, hope and disappointment, with a nod to global warming.
Set in the family farmhouse in rural Bucks County, Pa., Vanya and his adopted sister Sonia ruminate over their wasted lives, full of regret, and the ambiguous prophecies of their spunky housekeeper, Cassandra. They are in the throes of middle-aged angst, and “baby boomer misery”. Enter their sister, the self-centered movie star Masha, along with her “boy toy” Spike, and the stage is set for an absurd weekend of unexpected and hilarious consequences.
Director Bonnie Hill has assembled an exceptional and varied cast that includes a high school student, a professional actor, several Garfield Center regulars, an accomplished Music Director, and a theater graduate headed to New York this Fall.
Bob Chauncey of Chestertown portrays Vanya, who lives with his half-sister Sonia, is resigned, more or less, to the fact that he hasn’t done much with his life. He acts as the mediator between his two sisters. Bob is President of the Hugh Gregory Gallagher Theatre, and a Professional Actor, who has toured extensively with his one-man performance of FDR (Franklin Delano Roosevelt).
Chestertown residents Julie Lawrence and Diane Landskroener play the sisters Sonia and Masha, respectively. Lawrence is the Founder and Director Chester River Youth Choir and MUSICAMP, and last appeared in How I Learned to Drive at the Garfield Center. She was also the Music Director of Spitfire Grill and Blood Brothers at Church Hill Theatre. Landskroener, a Garfield Center veteran, has acted in and directed numerous Garfield Center productions, and has also worked at Church Hill Theatre, appearing most recently in Spitfire Grill. She is a Founding Member of ACT, and was last seen as Costanza in Enchanted April, which she also directed.
Jane Jewell of Chestertown is the Prophetic Housekeeper, Cassandra, and an accomplished actress, performing in numerous productions at both Church Hill Theatre and the Garfield Center. She was last seen in Is He Dead? at Church Hill Theatre, and on the stage of the Garfield Center, portraying Betsy Ross in Flagged, an original play by local playwright Earl Lewin at this year’s Chestertown Tea Party Festival.
Masha’s friendly and seductive “boy toy” is played by Dylan Wayne, who appeared as both Millet and Madame Tillou in Is He Dead? He will attend the T. Schreiber Studio and Theater, NYC, in the Fall.
Maya Betley completes the cast, as the lovely, sincere would be actress, visiting her aunt and uncle next door to Vanya and Sonia. Home schooled, Maya has been active in Playmakers and Short Attention Span Theatre for a number of years where she has acted and worked backstage.
Production staff and crew include Jim Landskroener (Producer), Brian Betley (Assistant Director and Choreographer) and Earl Lewin (Set design). Kate Heverin is Stage Manager, assisted by her sister, Britney. Lighting design is done by Butch Clark, and Kirby Powell does Sound. Costume coordinator is Juanita Wieczoreck.
Vanya & Sonia & Masha & Spike runs June 19th – June 28th, with performances at 8PM Fridays and Saturdays and 3PM on Sundays. For tickets, contact the Garfield Center Box Office by phone 410-810-2060 or email [email protected] or visit the Garfield Center website garfieldcenter.org. Thank you to our sponsor Atlantic Security.
Our 2015 season is dedicated to the memory of Vincent Raimond, former Executive Director of the Kent County Arts Council, founder of Actors Community Theatre (A.C.T.), patron of the arts and friend to all artists.
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