Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike- Page 2

[wonkit]

Posted: 7/30/13 at 1:16pm

If you know THE SEAGULL at all, that covers most of the Chekhov references. But even without that, a lot of fun. I plan to re-visit this now that Julie White is joining the cast.

[AC126748]

Posted: 7/30/13 at 1:42pm

My mother doesn't know Chekhov from Chubby Checker and she found it hilarious.

[Comden Green]

Posted: 7/30/13 at 2:30pm

ok, gosh darn it. I have downloaded The Seagull. i'll read it on the train to nyc. VSMS here I come!

[BornThisWay]

Posted: 7/30/13 at 2:39pm

How is Julie White in the show?

[TalkinLoud]

Posted: 7/30/13 at 2:39pm

I found this play awful. I can't believe people love it so much.

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 7/30/13 at 2:41pm

I agree, simply awful, it wouldn't have lasted much without Sigourney, but then it won the Tony, so it may last a few more weeks with Julie White.

[Kelly2]

Posted: 7/30/13 at 2:55pm

Plays in general don't last long now a days, Sigourney or not. Maybe you just have the minority opinion on this one and can accept that and not assume that you're "right" and the play is bad and everyone else is wrong. I've felt similarly about shows everyone else seems to love too and the reality is that my opinion is the minority one, as is yours. It doesn't make it invalid, but no need to condescend to people who disagree.

The show was supposed to close June 30th and extended through the 28th due to overwhelming demand and extended again through the end of August. They cannot extend further as the Golden has another tenant and Sigourney's schedule prevented her from being able to do the final extension, which is why Julie White was brought in. The show has "lasted" far longer than originally planned or expected and the run has been an absolute success. Not only has the show recouped, they're playing to sold out or nearly-so houses almost every night. Personally, whether I enjoy the show or not (and I did), I'd be quite happy to see a new play having such financial success on Broadway.

[eperkins]

Posted: 7/30/13 at 5:33pm

I too loved the show - enough to see it twice. I would love to see Julie White, so maybe a third visit will be in order.

[dave1606]

Posted: 7/30/13 at 5:43pm

Just wanted to add some praise on the success of this show. I saw Sigourney's final performance on Sunday and took my mom (whom I don't think has ever read or seen Chekhov and she loved it.)

It is such a wonderful play because it is accessible on so many levels and again, can we give praise to that phenomenal cast?!! Even without Sigourney it is the best ensemble on Broadway right now. Kristine Neilsen continues to amaze every time I see her.

I will definitely be back to see Julie White. I never thought it would be a success due to its off-putting title, but I am thrilled that it has lasted as long as it does.

And even if you didn't enjoy the play, which I accept, how could you not enjoy Billy Magnussen!?!!

[Comden Green]

Posted: 7/30/13 at 7:38pm

"how could you not enjoy Billy Magnussen!?!!"

Don't tell anyone but he is one of the main reasons I was considering seeing the show. I hope he's back next week.

(I bet he will be good in Into The Woods.)

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 7/30/13 at 8:25pm

Does anyone know if Magnussen is leaving early now that he booked INTO THE WOODS?

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 7/30/13 at 9:18pm

Some pictures of White in costume: https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Photo-Flash-First-Look-at-Julie-White-in-VANYA-AND-SONIA-AND-MASHA-AND-SPIKE-20130730

She looks great!

[Kelly2]

Posted: 7/30/13 at 10:54pm

I heard Billy will be leaving the show within the next week and his understudy, Creed Garnick, will be taking over.

[bjh2114]

Posted: 7/30/13 at 11:09pm

Just back from seeing the show tonight. I had the pleasure of sitting right in front of Chris Durang, so I got to talk about the play with him afterwards. Incredible!

Now before I get to Julie, I just have to say that the cast has really found a groove at this point. David's monologue at the end was equally hilarious and heartbreaking. There were sniffles all around me. Kristine as always gives a tour de force performance. Her ability to switch from comedy to drama at the drop of a hat is not human. She's crazy amazing. Cramazing. Shalita has really just walking away with the show. She steals every scene she's in. Billy was the most different tonight because of his interactions with Julie. But he's really started making Spike more human than just a dumb brick, and it's paying dividends.

Now Julie White. Julie. Freaking. White. That woman can do no wrong. I will say, you could tell that she was still figuring some things out as far as certain choices she made. But for the most part, she was all in. Her Masha is VERY different than Sigourney's (not surprising) but not in a way I expected. I expected Julie to be even more "glam movie star" who is above everyone else. Instead, what we got was a Masha doing EVERYTHING she could to hold on to her youth. While you know Sigourney's Masha was always trying to forget her age, you knew that she knew she was getting old. With Julie, you get the impression that Masha is actively FIGHTING to stay young. Her costumes were different, and the first one we see her in is a very loose fitting white t-shirt with black print under a black biker jacket. It was something you'd see a teenage girl wear at a concert. She really plays up the encouraging Spike's nakedness. But whereas you got the sense that Sigourney was using Spike to make her feel young by association, Julie is making her Masha act like she's still in her 20s to get the man (very high school). Her Masha is also less of a diva and more of a selfish bitch, which is hilarious. But her Act 2 was heartbreaking in a way that Sigourney's never was (though I admit, I did miss Sigourney during most of Act 1). Her fight with Sonia in Act 2 had a gravitas to it that has never been there before. It was the first time I had to catch my breath after the scene. And having her and Kristine together was just magic. I will definitely be going back towards the end of the run to see how she's settled in, but honestly it's pretty great already. Go see her!



Updated On: 7/30/13 at 11:09 PM

[751guy]

Posted: 7/31/13 at 12:48am

Billy's final performance is this coming Sunday, Aug. 4, kids!!!

When I hear people talk about a show that was successful at McCarter, then at Lincoln Center, then at the Golden, winning the Tony as 'Best Play' of the season and they express their hatred for it, makes me wonder... NOT about the show, but about the people making the comments. Kind of makes me sad, too.

This is a terrific ensemble and production. Audiences are in love with it. Does it mean everyone will swoon over it? Of course, not. But how many other Broadway shows have audiences laughing hysterically, reveals much about our relationships with each other and our parents, what we sacrifice for love... and has a lot to say about all we've lost in this digital age? This one does... in Chris Durang's unique voice.

Final performance Sunday, Aug. 25. London next.

[aasjb4ever]

Posted: 7/31/13 at 1:32am

After looking at those photos, I think Julie White and Kristine Nielsen look like sisters.

[BwayTday]

Posted: 7/31/13 at 3:37am

I thought the show was great but the language took a while to adjust to and Act 1 took a while to take off. But it all was worth it by the end of the second act. I thought all the performances were fantastic and that the play was generally smart and hilarious.

I would KILL to see Julie White in this. I love her and I love the description of her take on the character. Although I enjoyed Weaver, I thought she was the least impressive of the show.

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 7/31/13 at 9:21am

After looking at those photos, I think Julie White and Kristine Nielsen look like sisters.

I thought the same thing!

[Jamie Pierce]

Posted: 7/31/13 at 9:23am

Has anyone seen Creed Garnick as Spike?

[wonkit]

Posted: 7/31/13 at 10:45am

I thought the Spike role was the most underwritten, so I don't expect that seeing someone else is going to change the play significantly.

[eperkins]

Posted: 7/31/13 at 3:22pm

I thought the Spike role was the most underwritten, so I don't expect that seeing someone else is going to change the play significantly.

But don't forget, Billy was Tony nominated for his performance!

[PalJoey]

Posted: 7/31/13 at 3:54pm

Glad to hear Julie was every bit as good as we imagined she would be.

[wonkit]

Posted: 7/31/13 at 4:24pm

I liked Billy but the Tony nom was, to me, a curiosity.

[Kad]

Posted: 7/31/13 at 4:30pm

Really? I did not find Magnussen's nomination surprising at all. It was a scene-stealing supporting comic performance- much harder than it sounds and nearly always award with a nomination when done well.

[eperkins]

Posted: 7/31/13 at 4:31pm

I liked Billy but the Tony nom was, to me, a curiosity.

Personally, I thought he deserved the nom.