Theater Review: Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike

David Hyde Pierce, Sigourney Weaver, Kristine Nielsen, and Billy Magnussen. Photo: Carol Rosegg

By Lauren Yarger
Christopher Durang's comedy Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike makes an easy transfer from Off-Broadway to the Great White Way's Golden Theatre, where it is one of the hottest selling tickets on Broadway.

Starring Sigourney Weaver, David Hyde Pierce and Kristine Nielsen, among others, the comedy tells the story of three very different siblings in their home in Bucks County, PA, where throwing coffee cups at the wall and channelling Maggie Smith (Nielsen is a hoot) are not considered strange.

This is a very funny tongue-in-cheek send up of some of Chekhov's themes (the siblings, Vanya, Sonya and Masha all have been named after the playwright's characters), but doesn't waste time trying to parody the classics. Nicholas Martin directs a fabulous ensemble cast that only seems to have solidified since their run at Lincoln Center (particularly, Shalita Grant and Billy Magnussen seem to have come into their own as the zany, Voodoo practicing housekeeper and Masha's much-younger, self absorbed, sex-crazed boyfriend respectively). The smaller Golden Theatre helps keep the show's intimacy intact (but the line for the small women's bathroom is poorly managed. Don't plan on getting through before the curtain goes up).

Soliloquies by Pierce about his frustration over change and the lack of shared memories in society ( a real tour de force) and Nielsen as Sonia, trying to overcome a poor self image and believe that a man might be interested in her, are not to be missed.

Because I just reviewed the Off-Broadway version, I won't repeat the review, but you can read it by clicing here. The only addition is to add a disclaimer: my friend Pat Flicker Addiss turns out to be one of the producers. She knows that my reviews aren't influenced by the fact that I like her, but you should know it too.

Extended through July 28. For tickets and information visit: http://www.playbill.com/events/event_detail/25262-Vanya-and-Sonia-and-Masha-and-Spike-at-John-Golden-Theatre.

To read the review, visit: http://reflectionsinthelight.blogspot.com/2012/12/quick-hit-theater-review-vanya-and.html.

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