REVIEW: "VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE" at Kentwood Players

 

Originally slated to open in March 2020 this play, by one of my favorite playwrights Christopher Durang, has been rehearsing virtually since the shutdown happened immediately after the final dress rehearsal. It finally opened on September 17, but unfortunately this critic did not get to see it until the final performance. Such is life under Covid and here for the record is my review.

It was delightful to recognize the familiar Chekhov characters from a number of his plays, as well as one from Greek mythology, all spending a sunny weekend in Bucks County, PA. There's Vanya and Sonia, living and bickering in the house where they cared for their elderly parents; their fortune-telling maid Cassandra warning of impending dangers, and their movie star sister, Masha, arriving with her sexy, boy toy, Spike. The realization for Vanya and Sonia that their ancestral home is about to be sold, and they ejected, adds to their mourning their lost dreams and missed opportunities.

Heading the excellent cast is Chris Morrison who, as Vanya, has a show stopping final diatribe when he speaks his mind to the heedless modern generation. The charming and amusing comedy suddenly grows electric when he explodes with words that show his anguish and rage.  It's hard to believe that this speech was written for the original 2012 production as it resonates so powerfully today.

Plaudits to Sarilee Kahn as delightful diva Masha; to Giovanni Navarro as her saucy sexy boy toy Spike; to Valerie Sullivan as the tremulous but spunky Sonia, and to a tour de force Susan Stangl as frantically bombastic Cassandra - as well as her splendid work as the Director of the play.

Produced by Alison Boole and Myron Klafter for the Kentwood Players in their newly upgraded Westchester Playhouse at 8301 Hindry Avenue, Los Angeles. Upcoming in November is a special One-Weekend Musical Event "All Together Now" and in December "The Ultimate Christmas Show (Abridged)." For information call: (310) 645-5156 or email boxoffice@kentwoodplayers.org