Am I the only one who really disliked VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE?

[aaronb]

Posted: 3/21/13 at 8:28am

It's like PETER AND THE STARCATCHER all over again--terrific reviews, terrible comedy. Not to mention a little bit racist (just as STARCATCHER was a little bit homophobic).

Am I alone here?
My review of VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE

[PalJoey]

Posted: 3/21/13 at 9:15am

Yes.

I feel sorry for you.

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 3/21/13 at 9:47am

I'll join PalJoey and add my condolences. I LOVED 'Vanya.'

But seriously, is there ANY show that's been universally adored?

Name any show, and it'll have fans and detractors. I find it disingenuous whenever someone posts: 'Am I the only one who hates (fill in the name of the show)?' As it is, there's already one sizable thread on this board about 'collective thoughts' about 'Vanya,' in which you can find many postings, pro and con. One could've posted there and joined the dialogue, but I guess this is more attention-getting ...

[mikem]

Posted: 3/21/13 at 10:49am

Calling the show "racist" is a stretch. And I'm not sure how Peter and the Starcatcher is homophobic. Those are loaded terms to throw around so lightly.

[bjh2114]

Posted: 3/21/13 at 10:57am

You've got pretty watered-down definitions of "racism" and "homophobia" if you're applying those labels here.

[macnyc]

Posted: 3/21/13 at 11:10am

To tell you the truth, I was a bit uncomfortable with the housekeeper and the voodoo too. I didn't know what Durang was trying to say. I found the play less funny than I had expected, but I chalked that up to my lack of knowledge of Chekhov. But my theater partner, who's very up on her Russian drama, was disappointed as well. I found Weaver's mugging hard to watch, and not too funny either.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 3/21/13 at 11:10am

Watered-down...or trollish.

[Patash]

Posted: 3/21/13 at 11:27am

Farce and over the top comedy are not for everyone. Clearly they are not for you. That's fine. We all have styles of theatre we don't particularly understand or appreciate.

But homophobic and racist?? Are you f-----g kidding me?

[Reginald Tresilian]

Posted: 3/21/13 at 11:42am

I haven't seen "Vanya et al" yet, but I'm racking my brain to think how "Starcatcher" was homophobic.

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 3/21/13 at 11:56am

Durang is also not everyone's cup of tea. I mean...I was weaned on Durang at the tit known as drama school, so I've been a devotee for a very long time. I would say this is his masterwork.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 3/21/13 at 12:21pm

I agree with RobbieJ.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 3/21/13 at 12:27pm

Durang can be very confusing and downright unsettling for those unfamiliar with his work. I remember reading Betty's Summer Vacation before seeing a production and wondering how the hell they pull off the end of the first act without the entire audience walking out. Titanic was a bit unnerving to read as well (though I've yet to see a production of it).

[Kad]

Posted: 3/21/13 at 1:02pm

What Durang was trying to say with the voodoo bit was, "I think it'd be funny if I brought voodoo into this." And it was!

I think this play is his least unsettling and confusing. But I do agree with RobbieJ.

[Kelly2]

Posted: 3/21/13 at 2:01pm

Wait. Pause. Can someone please explain to me what about Peter and the Starcatcher is homophobic? I am wracking my brain and I have absolutely no idea what this could even be referring to.

[Kad]

Posted: 3/21/13 at 2:06pm

Haven't read his review, but I would assume it's because of a man in a dress being played for laughs? I can't recall any gay panic humor.

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 3/21/13 at 2:07pm

Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Which is why no one has been able to answer your question, including the OP.

[Kelly2]

Posted: 3/21/13 at 2:08pm

Kad, I guess that's...possible? I really don't see how anyone could take that as homophobic though. Drag in shows has been played for comedy since the days of Shakespeare, it has nothing to do with sexuality in my mind.

Oh well, guess we'll all have to be bewildered on this one.

[Kad]

Posted: 3/21/13 at 2:20pm

Oh! I was right!

"Cross-dressing is standard in the British pantomime tradition—which figures heavily in this play—and yet in the hands of Mr. Elice, this comes across as nothing more than cheap homophobic humor."

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 3/21/13 at 2:26pm

Lord love your panning for that nugget.

Wish it were gold. For your sake.

[Kelly2]

Posted: 3/21/13 at 2:26pm

That's really odd to me, but you did get it! I guess I just did not interpret it that way at all. It doesn't play that way to me. But then again, I don't go into shows searching for every tiny thing to be offended and self-righteous about, so...

[Patash]

Posted: 3/21/13 at 2:28pm

Wow. So is La Cage homophobic? Priscilla? Kinky Boots? How about Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum? And that Luther Billis guy in South Pacific?
All of those are also wildly over the top, so for the life of me I'm trying to understand why drag as silly humor is homophobic?

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 3/21/13 at 2:29pm

I don't think "Starcatcher" was homophobic, but I thought it was one of the worst things I've ever seen on Broadway.

[D2]

Posted: 3/21/13 at 2:32pm

"Lord love your panning for that nugget.

Wish it were gold. For your sake."

Where's the LIKE button?

[Kad]

Posted: 3/21/13 at 3:00pm

Robbie, was that directed toward me or aaronb? I had no problem with Starcatcher.

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 3/21/13 at 3:24pm

You. It was an acknowledgment of the work you did to find out the the F*CK was homophobic about Peter and the Starcatcher.