Wildflower Playhouse presents: Sensational “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike” production
ACOMEDIC PLAY BEARING FOUR Russian names — Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike — is being brought to you by director Richard Greywolf over at the Wildflower Playhouse starting Thursday (April 18) and running through Saturday (April 20) then once more the following Thursday (April 25) through Saturday (April 27).
Winner of the 2013 Tony, this comedic play was written by Christopher Durang who recently passed in early April from literally a loss of words, or what is considered logopenic progressive aphasia. As one might gather from all the Russian names and heavy references to Anton Chekhov (although no firearms are mentioned in the first act) “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike” features all the fiery elements of a good Russian drama: a constant familial fracas amongst siblings that unroots deep personal flaws and shines a light on stymied aspirations. You can see all the juicy clashes coming from a mile away, but you can’t look away.
The cast is a mix of tried-and-true Taos thespians and newcomers.
You’ve got Katie Hagan who plays, Sonia a deliciously disruptive discontent. Theo Kirkley plays Vanya, the detached brother in his 50’s who is extremely rational and resigned to his life with the occasional bouts of excitation in the face of a male specimen. Kirkley dug deep to get ready this role.
“Vanya is a gay man who is terrified of climate change and his own sexuality. After leaving the anti-gay church I grew up in, I started looking deeply into the gay experience watching many coming out stories on YouTube and also doom-scrolled about climate change. I feel like I understand Vanya for these reasons,” Kirkley said.
You’ve got Elena Trujillo who lends her seductive charms to the role of Masha, a glamorous and successful actress who goes gallivanting around the world. The energetic and lithe Bill Loundy, who’s previously played the Rat King in a Ballet of Taos production of “The Nutcracker,” plays the role of Spike, a cocky and self-absorbed sex symbol who isn’t afraid to brush up his body against whoever happens to be within his proximity.
Shelly Hogan plays the role of Nina, a lovely and sincere would-be actress in her early 20’s visiting her aunt and uncle next door, who just happens to cause Masha consternation with her youthful presence. And, of course, there’s Taos Onstage President Charlotte Keefe, who gives an inspired performance of Cassandra, the soothsayer and cleaning lady.
Look out for the Ides of March, a striptease, and a fun second act that pays an ode to a classic fairy tale.