VANYA & SONIA & MASHA and SPIKE Reviews

[LimelightMike]

Today is Thursday, March 14, marking the offial opening night for VANYA & SONIA & MASHA and SPIKE, at the John Golden Theatre. The limited 17-week engagement began previews March 5 and will continue through June 30.

Here's how it's billed: "Riffing on some of Anton Chekov's most time-tested themes, Christopher Durang proves in his hysterically funny and surprisingly affecting new romp, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, that whether you're in 19th Century Russia or 21st Century Pennsylvania, the human condition never changes. Vanya (Pierce) and Sonia (Nielsen) have never left the confines of their childhood home – a rambling farmhouse in Bucks County, PA – while having to witness the glamorous exploits of their sister, Masha (Weaver), a famous movie actress, from afar. A surprise visit from Masha and her 20-something boy toy, Spike (Magnussen), throws the normally quiet household int0 utter upheaval as its residents and visitors get swept up in an intoxicating mixture of lust, rivalry, regret, and the sudden possibility of escape. Only one thing is certain: no one will get out of this without looking absolutely ridiculous!"

[Ragged Tear]

3/14, aka Pi Day.

Should the producers beware the Ides of March, or should they beware of HOOTIE PI?

[Chicago Star]

Any updates?

[Ragged Tear]

All-out rave from Backstage (A+).
http://www.backstage.com/review/ny-theater/broadway/vanya-and-sonia-and-masha-and-spike-christopher-durang-sigourney-weaver-david-hyde-pierce-kristine-nielsen/

Great review from talkinbroadway. Decent 3.5 stars (out of 4 or 5?) from amNY.

[Kad]

The AP is very positive.

[Kad]

And BWW did not include the link I had put in.
That's typical of the things flipped around in the playwright's utterly refreshing farce

[egghumor]

I'll probably never see this production, but nevertheless I'm giddy with delight over the notices thus far! Cheers to all involved!

[Phantom of London]

I guess Isherwood will be reviewing this for the New York Times, Brantley seems holed up in the Number 1 city for all things theatre (London).

[chanel]

Village Voice site calls it a comic tour de force and says Hyde Pierce's and Nielsen's monologues will become classic audition fare for actors of a certain age.

http://blogs.villagevoice.com/dailymusto/2013/03/vania_and_sonia.php

[willep]

The NY Times is up, don't know how to post a link from my phone. Its mostly positive, a little reserved on Weaver, but not negative for her.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20364394_20682323,00.html
B+ in Entertainment Weekly

and here's the Times review
http://theater.nytimes.com/2013/03/15/theater/reviews/vanya-and-sonia-and-masha-and-spike-at-john-golden-theater.html?_r=0&pagewanted=1

[NewYorkTheater]

Billy Magnusen [above] is still spot-on hilarious and sexy as Spike (Vanya: "Why does he take his clothes off so much?" Sonia: "Because he can")

If it is fair to call the play Chekhovian, “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike” is also uniquely Durangian – maybe the better adjective would be Duranged. The still-deranged Durang is a more mature playwright whose anarchic impulses have been channeled into a pleasing theatrical structure, and whose repertoire has been expanded to include genuine feeling.
Durang Does Chekhov on Broadway

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/theater/not_your_dad_chekhov_7shzYgD8RJAdkxptfiSy5I?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=Theater
3 1/2 stars out of 4 from NY POST

http://www.vulture.com/2013/03/theater-review-vanya-and-sonia-and.html
NY MAG is mixed

http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/theater/vanya-and-sonia-and-masha-and-spike-review-better-on-broadway-1.4808294
NEWSDAY is a rave

http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2013/03/14/vanya-and-sonia-broadway-review/1984707/
USA TODAY is very positive

http://www.theatermania.com/new-york-city-theater/reviews/03-2013/vanya-and-sonia-and-masha-and-spike_64594.html
THEATERMANIA is a rave

[broadwaydevil]

This has certainly become the play to beat. Congratulations to all on across-the-board excellent reviews.

[goldenboy]

I'm really glad this wonderful play with a wonderful cast got what it deserves! Favorable and rave reviews. I'm glad the critics got it right this time. Hope those Durangians have a successful lucrative run!

[ACL2006]

I finally saw this wonderful, funny little play tonight and LOVED IT!! This was hysterical & the night flew by so quickly. Nielsen was my favorite, but the entire cast(of just six) was near flawless. I hope this show gets every possible Tony nomination it deserves.

[ggersten]

How inappropriate is this show for a 12 year old girl?

[Kad]

I don't think it's particularly appropriate at all. A lot of it she wouldn't get, and it is fairly R-rated in terms of language.

[ggersten]

Thanks! I suspected, but had no information. She can go to Annie or Cinderella with her grandmother, while my spouse and I see this show.
(Was already feeling a bit nervous about taking her to Pippin - and I don't want to be too bad of a parent)

[WhatIWasBorn2Do]

Pippin was surprisingly really sexual. There were a few scenes that I was not expecting!

[ClydeBarrow]

A 12 year old would be beyond bored with this show...with the exception of Spike prancing around mostly naked.

[saulssweetie]

Went to the show tonight and thought it was hilarious. Glad it was nominated for a few Tonys. Does anyone know if the cast generally comes out to sign? Tonight only Sigourney Weaver and David Hyde Pierce (though I missed him) came out.

[broadwaydevil]

^Strange, when I went to the stagedoor last week the entire cast came out and everyone was extremely friendly.

[logan2]

Okay, I need someone to supply me with a spoiler.

What's the Maggie Smith reference and what's the line that results in booming laughter that shakes the seats.

Don't live in New York, so won't get to see it.

The New York Times says: When Sonia proceeds to explain why she is thus attired, the theater erupts in booming gusts of laughter that practically shake the seats. It would be unfair to spoil the fun for those holding tickets to the show, but I can reveal that Sonia is dressed for a costume party in a highly conceptual manner, and that Maggie Smith figures prominently in the concept.

[ACL2006]

*****SPOILER*****






Vanya(Weaver) invites Sonia(Neilson) & Masha(DHP) to a costume party under one condition. Vanya is going as Snow White and requires everyone joining her to go as a dwarf, Sonia decides to make her own costume and ends up as the Evil Queen as played by Maggie Smith. There really isn't one line that makes the audience go nuts, it's just her impression of Maggie Smith(as the Evil Queen) and her banter with Masha & Vanya. It's a solid five minutes of the three of them(later joined by Spike) before they head out for the costume party.




*****END SPOILER*****

[Kad]

Accurate, except you confused Vanya and Masha.