VANYA & SONIA & MASHA and SPIKE Reviews

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!"

Any updates?

The AP is very positive.

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

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

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

Updated On: 3/14/13 at 10:17 PM

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

Updated On: 3/15/13 at 12:02 AM

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!

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

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)

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

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

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*****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*****

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