Hysterical Play VANYA & SONIA & MASHA & SPIKE at Open Book Theatre Will Lighten Up Your Winter Blues

The "deliriously funny" (NY Times) 2013 Tony Award winning play Vanya & Sonia & Masha & Spike is set to take the stage at Open Book Theatre February 23 - March 18.

Peace is disturbed in the Pennsylvania childhood home where Vanya and his sister Sonia live a quiet life when their movie star sister Masha returns with her twentysomething boy toy, Spike. Throw in an oddly prophetic housekeeper, a cute young girl stopping by, and a neighbor's costume party and the stage is set for an absurd weekend of hilarity.

"This play is fun!" says director Angie Kane Ferrante, "When you put strong willed characters in a close intimate space, things are bound to happen. Everyone has family - whether we're born into it or chose them. Watching this family deal with each other will certainly be relatable... no matter how ridiculous the circumstances are."

Playwright Christopher Durang is well known for his comedies full of absurd characters, and this play is no exception. The play is a crowd favorite for its rollicking humor, and Artistic Director Krista Schafer Ewbank expects performances to play to full houses. "Audiences at Open Book are growing, and tickets are selling so well that an additional matinee has already been added to the scheduled run," she said.

The critically lauded play has swept critics off their feet. "Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike is brainy and witty and clever and cute," raves Variety. "In this hilarious mash up, classic themes of existential loss and longing are given both a modern spin and endlessly inventive comic twists." "Hilarious," hails the Hollywood Reporter. "This is a work by a mature playwright taking stock and illuminating countless universal truths... He also demonstrates the enduring currency of Chekhov's themes, showing that for all our supposed progress in the era of mass connectivity, despair and disappointment are as present as ever."

Director Kane Ferrante has previously directed Good People and Calypso's Corner at Open Book. She is a resident artist at The Purple Rose Theatre, and has directed there, at the Tipping Point Theatre in Northville, and throughout Metro Detroit. She has assembled a wonderful cast of professional actors including Wilde Award winner Wendy Katz Hiller as Masha, who is joined by Alexis Barrera, Connie Cowper, Anna Doyle, Kyle Kelley, and Lindel Salow. The costumes are designed by Cheryl Zemke, scenic design by Eric Niece, and lighting design by Wilde Award winner Harley Miah. The show is stage managed by Danielle Gilbert.

Individual tickets are only $20, or $15 for students or seniors, with tickets for the opening night show and gala at $30 each. Tickets can be purchased online at openbooktc.com. More information can be found online or by calling 734 288-7753.

Details:

Open Book Theatre Company

1621 West Road, Trenton, MI 48138

734 288-7753

www.openbooktc.com

Individual show tickets: $20, $15 for students and seniors, $30 for opening nights

Vanya & Sonia & Masha & Spike performance dates and times

• Friday February 23, 8pm *opening night, all tickets $30. Includes afterglow
• Saturday February 24, 8pm
• Sunday February 25, 2pm followed by a discussion with the artists
• Friday March 2, 8pm
• Saturday March 3, 8pm
• Sunday March 4, 2pm followed by a discussion with the artists
• Friday March 9, 8pm
• Saturday March 10, 8pm
• Thursday March 15, 8pm
• Friday March 16, 8pm
• Saturday March 17, 8pm
• Sunday March 18, 2pm

PHOTO: Masha (Wendy Katz Hiller) and her boy toy Spike (Kyle Kelley) make eyes at each other as Vanya (Lindel Salow) and Sonia (Connie Cowper) look on in disgust

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