If it’s farce you are looking for, head down to the Dottie Studio, Cygnet’s 150 seat new black box theatre in the Joan complex with seating on three sides,where Christopher Durang’s Tony Award (Best Play) winning farce “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike” is now being produced in a way only Durang can imagine.
Familiar with Chekhov? No? Well you don’t have to be according to Durang. If you’re a stickler for detail, it will help because the folks in ‘Vanya and Sonia’ all have names based on Chekhov’s characters and well… take on familiar personalities, not necessarily their names sakes but ‘a blend’ of his characters from “Three Sisters”, “The Seagull” or “The Cherry Orchard”. You pick.
We know this right off the bat from Vanya, (truly believable Andrew Oswald ) who manages to tell us that both parents were professors and ‘active in community theatre’. (That’s in case you had no idea about the names) “Having professors for parents had its drawbacks”. “What 7 year old child knows who wrote “The Imaginary Invalid”? Father became so enraged when I said Neil Simon. I mean, I was only 7”. (Hint: French playwright Molière)
Deftly directed by Anthony Methvin, “the two plus hour production has its very funny moments and some aha moments.
The setting(Ye Chien Le) is a peaceful country farmhouse situated in Bucks County, PA. with a nearby pond that is the central lookout place for the clinically depressed and neurotic Sonia, an excellent, in fact at her very best, Shauna Wride and the much-repressed Vanya’s morning connection. They settle there in their morning room to stare out, drink their coffee and possibly catch sight of the blue heron that frequents the pond.
Since their parents, whom they dedicated their adult lives to died, things are rather dull (the operative word) at the old farmhouse. On this morning coffee and how much milk is in it, is the topic of conversation. “I have two pleasant moments every day in my effing life, and one of them is bringing you coffee” laments Sonia. This after Vanya said he liked the cup he mixed for himself better. When he suggests that she move from the morning room to another she shares that she is in constant mourning…always keeping her sadness to herself. He: “I hope you are not going to make Chekhov references all day”.
 |
| Shauna Wride and Andrew Oswald |
As we move along, things pick up substantially when their housekeeper Cassandra (a hoot and a howl Daisy Martinez) comes on to the scene with musings of ‘The Ides of March’ even though it’s late August. Better still ‘Beware of Greeks Bearing Gifts’ or better yet, “Beware of the middle of the month”. She confesses she sees visions…shadows. “It may be my curse to see these shadows and my duty to warn you”.
 |
| Daisy Martinez |
At the crux of ‘Vanya and Sonia’ is the not so welcomed homecoming of their once famous actress and control freak sister Masha (Eileen Bowman). She is planning on attending a costume party one of their wealthy neighbors is throwing. She has her Snow White costume all set and insists her siblings dress as the Dwarfs. Sonia counters by being The Evil Queen a la Maggie Smith. And Spike, (Sean Drew) in his almost all togethers, well he’s Prince Charming and Marsha’s squeeze.
Masha, who has been married five times, is now shtupping her new plaything, Spike who has to be young enough to be her son. Spike’s claim to fame is that he is an also ran. He nearly landed a part in the sequel to “Entourage, Entourage 2”. The fact that he’s a bit slow, matters not to Vanya as it’s more of a distraction to him every time Spike strips down to show off his muscular body than it is for him to be flirting with their next door neighbor Nina (Emma Nossal). More on her later.
Over the years Masha supported her siblings in order for them to take care of their ailing parents. She also kept the farmhouse and all its accouterment paid for. Now with her fame fading, money becomes a big issue. Her plans to sell then property does not sit right with any of the occupants of the house including Cassandra who, with the help of a Voodoo Doll tries to curb Masha’s appetite for a quick sale.
 |
| Andrew Oswald and Eileen Bowman |
All is fair play in Act II when Sonia and Vanya find a voice, each having their own epiphany. Sonia gets a call back from one of the party guest she met , the night before., but can’t remember who. When he asks her to dinner she vacillates almost going into her lack of confidence mode, Sonia finally mustering the nerve to dine with him to the delight of the opening night crowd. Wride shines in this scene as she does with every other depressed word she utters. She’s a perfect fit as Sonia.
Vanya goes off on…well everything from climate control to licking stamps to cell phones, to Davy Crockett and coonskin hats, to the Lucy Show to video games and typewriters. It’s a ten or so minute rant; it’s a bit over -done, but done well by the talented Oswald.
As for Masha, she’s another case. Ever affected to a fault, she nearly collapses from her over enthusiasm espousing her talents and woes. “I’m having a hard time. Do you mind? I’m getting older, my five marriages didn’t work out…. And I just feel old and vulnerable”. And in a moment just too funny for words, she bemoans to Sonia that the reason she didn’t cry at their parent s funeral was because “I hide my feelings”. Sonia, “Nonsense, you parade your feelings”….”It’s exhausting being around you”. Bowman’s performance while dramatic and animated is a bit over the top; fingers in hair and finally collapsing on the sofa. Indeed exhausting!
 |
| Emma Nossal |
From this exchange both Sonia and Masha have a go at it. Vanya gets involved, Spike (whom Vanya has google eyes for)leaves to be with his other beloved, Nina is happy with her newly found acting abilities (she plays a molecule) and I want to say they all lived happily ever after, but I doubt it.
Credit costume designs to Heather K. Nunn, especially Marsha’s Snow White costume and Sonia’s slim, spangled dress a la Maggie Smith. Spike for his Kings outfit and lack of any discernible matching outfits and Nina’s flowing molecule gown.
Sound design, Evan Eason, props, Bonnie Durban, Lighting, Curtis Mueller, Stage Manager, Jared Blake Halsell, and, of course Wigs by our favorite master of hair and wigs, Peter Hermann.
Listen carefully. Laugh lines seem to drown out blocks of dialogue coming right after them. For a good laugh or two, it’s worth a try. After all it is Christopher Durang, in case you mistook him for Chekov.
See you at the theatre.
When: Runs through Nov. 9. 7 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays; 2 and 7 p.m. Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays
Where: Cygnet Theatre’s Dottie Studio Theatre at The Joan, 2880 Roosevelt Road, Arts District Liberty Station, San Diego
Photo: Karli Cadel
Tickets: $58 and up
Phone: 619-337-1525
Online: cygnettheatre.com
No comments:
Post a Comment