Family Matters at The Rep with Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike

By Jeff Gudzune

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. 

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.

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.

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. 

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). 

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. 

Visiting (and Laughing) with CTC and Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike

By Hannah Leposa
Theater fan Hannah Leposa is excited to be living in Wilmington where there is a lively theatre community and high-quality performances.

The cast of CTC's Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike.
Photo by Joe del Tufo/Moonloop Photography.

City Theater Company's final producton of the 24-25 season is Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, written by the late Christopher Durang and named the 2013 Tony Award for Best Play. The show revolves around three middle-aged siblings — Vanya and Sonia — who live together, and Masha, who supports them and is coming for a visit.

It was evident that director Joseph Pukatsch had a clear vision for the show, as everything worked seamlessly with each other, from the set by scenic designer Rick Neidig (which was beautiful and the set dressings had me believing I was looking at an old family home) to costumes and props by Coco G. Robocheaux and Jennifer Youngblood, respectively, the vision was clear.

The casting of Vanya and Sonia and Masha was perfection. The chemistry between them was electric, and their banter was as believable as a trio of actual siblings.

Vanya, the brother who is the most reserved of the three siblings and at least outwardly, is content with the way life is, is portrayed by Paul McElwee. McElwee performed the character with a sincere subtleness that had me watching his reactions to the unfolding story more often than not. Between his facial expressions and impeccable delivery, McElwee embodied the character perfectly.

and Sonia, the adopted sibling who is struggling with where she is in life and what she has, or rather has not accomplished, is portrayed by Jennifer Youngblood. Youngblood was a standout in this role; her comedic timing and ability to shift moods seamlessly without a hint of what was to come kept the character feeling fresh, relatable, and funny.

and Masha, the third sibling, and the successful actress, returning to the family home for a visit was portrayed by Kerry Kristine McElrone. McElrone’s range of emotion was astounding, from happy to jealous to sad, she easily portrayed them all believably.

and we cannot forget the final titular character, Spike, the young aspiring actor that Masha has been dating, played by Jordan Eck. Eck was hysterical as Spike, and his physical comedy was outstanding. He had me laughing out loud multiple times throughout the show.

Remaining cast members include Mary Catherine Kelley, as Cassandra the housekeeper who, like her namesake, believes she can see the future, and Mikala Plymer as the neighbor girl and would-be actress Nina. Both actresses were excellent additions to the cast.

Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike is presented by City Theater Company. The show runs through Saturday, April 12, at The Black Box at The Delaware Contemporary, 200 S. Madison Street, Wilmington, DE 19801. Tickets are $48.75 with student and military discounts available. They can be purchased at www.city-theater.org. 

The show runs just over 2 hours plus a 15-minute intermission.