Jeff writes book reviews for a variety of publishers and is active in community theater. Since 2013, Jeff has owned and operated Matrix Notary Service.
What family doesn't have its ups and downs and crippling neuroses? Delaware's own Resident Ensemble Players explores the complex relationship between three middle-aged siblings with an equal mix of comedy and maudlin reflection.
What family doesn't have its ups and downs and crippling neuroses? Delaware's own Resident Ensemble Players explores the complex relationship between three middle-aged siblings with an equal mix of comedy and maudlin reflection.
Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike is a wild ride through complicated family dynamics, midlife regrets, and eccentricities. Boasting a highly talented cast of performers, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike dives face-first into the archetypal drama of a family that long ago stopped talking to one another and now only talks at one another.
Set in a quiet Pennsylvania cottage, the play follows middle aged siblings Vanya (Lee E. Ernst) and Sonia (Kathleen Pirkl Tague) who have spent much of their lives watching the world, and their own ambitions, pass them by. Their mundane existence is disrupted when their glamorous movie-star sister, Masha, arrives unexpectedly with her much younger boyfriend, Spike.
Masha (Elizabeth Heflin) is a success. She reminds her siblings of this fact on numerous occasions. Vania and Sonya have failed to thrive. They live their lives in the state of ubiquitous intellectual paralysis, floating through their days expressing regrets in overlapping monologues.
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| The REP's production of Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike. L-R: Mic Matarrese, Elizabeth Heflin, Kathleen Pirkl Tague, Carine Montbertrand, Lee E. Ernst, Charlene Hong White. Photo courtesy of The REP. |
Masha (Elizabeth Heflin) is a success. She reminds her siblings of this fact on numerous occasions. Vania and Sonya have failed to thrive. They live their lives in the state of ubiquitous intellectual paralysis, floating through their days expressing regrets in overlapping monologues.
Due to a career downturn, Masha is trying to bolster her public image by restyling herself as a serious actress while slimming down financially. She intends to sell the family home, possibly putting her other siblings out on the street.
Assisting the family in taking care of the property is Cassandra (Carine Montbertrand), a Russian housekeeper who is often dramatically struck with bizarre and rambling prophecies. Much like the tragic Greek figure for whom she is named, Cassandra's predictions are often dismissed as the ravings of an eccentric old lady. Spike (Mic Matarrese) is narcissus personified; in love with himself and blissfully unaware of his own personal failings. He is a free spirit, wandering around the stage in his underpants and flirting shamelessly with the shy but intellectual Nina (Charlene Hong White).
The set is breathtaking; an entire house planted on the stage. Actors ascend and descend the staircase as if they really are inhabiting the upper levels of the house. Musical interludes provide theme and tone throughout, indicative of emotional changes as the play progresses. The often referenced, yet never seen Blue heron serves as a metaphor for the emotional development of the characters as they navigate the complexities of their family dynamics.
Each performer brings a unique flavor to the role, standing out at pivotal moments throughout the play. Vanya consumes most of the second act in a dramatic and often painful reflection on letting go of the past. Masha's pain is poured forth with devastating reality while Sonia reveals her own personal struggles. Nina and Spike are not simply disposable side characters, but emotional archetypes in and of themselves. Cassandra is comic relief, but also a powerful unifying force.
Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike runs April 9-26 at the Roselle Center for the Arts in Newark, Delaware. The cast includes The REP company members Lee E. Ernst (Vanya); Elizabeth Heflin (Masha); Mic Matarrese (Spike); Kathleen Pirkl Tague (Sonia), Carine Montbertard (Cassandra) and Charlene Hong White (Nina).
Assisting the family in taking care of the property is Cassandra (Carine Montbertrand), a Russian housekeeper who is often dramatically struck with bizarre and rambling prophecies. Much like the tragic Greek figure for whom she is named, Cassandra's predictions are often dismissed as the ravings of an eccentric old lady. Spike (Mic Matarrese) is narcissus personified; in love with himself and blissfully unaware of his own personal failings. He is a free spirit, wandering around the stage in his underpants and flirting shamelessly with the shy but intellectual Nina (Charlene Hong White).
The set is breathtaking; an entire house planted on the stage. Actors ascend and descend the staircase as if they really are inhabiting the upper levels of the house. Musical interludes provide theme and tone throughout, indicative of emotional changes as the play progresses. The often referenced, yet never seen Blue heron serves as a metaphor for the emotional development of the characters as they navigate the complexities of their family dynamics.
Each performer brings a unique flavor to the role, standing out at pivotal moments throughout the play. Vanya consumes most of the second act in a dramatic and often painful reflection on letting go of the past. Masha's pain is poured forth with devastating reality while Sonia reveals her own personal struggles. Nina and Spike are not simply disposable side characters, but emotional archetypes in and of themselves. Cassandra is comic relief, but also a powerful unifying force.
Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike runs April 9-26 at the Roselle Center for the Arts in Newark, Delaware. The cast includes The REP company members Lee E. Ernst (Vanya); Elizabeth Heflin (Masha); Mic Matarrese (Spike); Kathleen Pirkl Tague (Sonia), Carine Montbertard (Cassandra) and Charlene Hong White (Nina).
The creative team includes Steve Tague (Director); Brittany Vasta (Scenic Designer); Celeste Jennings (Costume Designer); Matthew Richards (Lighting Designer); and Eileen Smitheimer (Sound Designer).
Visit https://www.udel.edu/academics/colleges/cas/units/departments/theatre-and-dance/resident-ensemble-players/ for tickets and details.