Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike- Page 3

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 7/31/13 at 4:38pm

He absolutely deserved the nomination. Garnick looks just like Magnussen in some of his headshots on Google. I'm interested to hear how he fares in the role as well!

[DMC_Patinkin]

Posted: 7/31/13 at 7:28pm

I have a feeling that while this show is amazing (I saw it and lived it) it won't run for too much longer for the sole reason that Sigourney weaver has left the cast. There are two reasons why this is detrimental to the show. Firstly, she was perfect for that roll and did a stellar job. Secondly, she was a century attraction that brought in crowds. Another note is that plays on broadway rarely run long and without a celebrity, this amazing show will sadly (most likely) end quite soon.

[Kelly2]

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

DMC, did you read the thread? The show is a limited run, it will end on August 25th, as it was planned to.

[eperkins]

Posted: 7/31/13 at 9:24pm

In fact, it was extended a couple of times. But they never intended to have an open ended run. It's already run much longer than they ever planned.

[D2]

Posted: 7/31/13 at 10:08pm

Muscle's comments remind me of the night I saw TAKE ME OUT. The gentleman behind me, also rather young, was squirming throughout the first act, sighing, muttering and clearly not enjoying himself. As soon as the houselights came up, he announced to his friends: "This sucks. This isn't nearly as good as MAMMA MIA. That's what a Broadway show should be. Not this crap." He then flounced out. I noted his friends didn't try to stop him.

As for VANYA et al, count me in the I LOVED IT! camp, and can't wait to go back and see Julie White.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 7/31/13 at 10:08pm

In actuality, Weaver was the weakest link in the play. I think she took the part as a favor to her friend Durang. The word of mouth has been for Neilsen and Hyde Pierce who are incredible.

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 7/31/13 at 10:24pm

I'll agree that Weaver was the weakest link in that trio of her, Neilsen, and Hyde Pierce, but it was still better than a lot of other performances I have seen over the years. Sadly I won't be able to make it to see Julie White in the show, though I wish I could.

I think Durang has a script on his hands that is going to have quite a healthy life in the regional theatre circuit for the next few years.

[Kad]

Posted: 8/1/13 at 12:15am

Saw this tonight with my friend, specifically to see Julie White- and she does not disappoint. She is fantastic and much better than Weaver was (and I say this as someone who did not especially dislike Weaver).

White plays Masha less of a caricature and more of a deeply neurotic, vain, desperate person. She wrings laughs out of lines in a way Weaver didn't, but also brings a lot of nice shades to the character in the last part of the play. It's an entirely different performance and one that serves to strengthen the ensemble feeling of the production as a whole.

I really recommend seeing her in this, even if you've already seen it. If White had originated, she might've had a Tony nomination.


As for this production's success... it IS a success. It was a limited run, extended several times, and recouped. It won every major award for Best Play and the majority of its cast won nominations. It is an equivocal success and I doubt Weaver's presence had much sway on that.

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 8/2/13 at 3:10am

I just have to echo everybody's comments on Julie White. I've been a big fan since I saw THE LITTLE DOG LAUGHED on a whim while visiting the city in high school. She's a brilliant comedic actress and her performance in this show is just another reason we need more Julie White.

The show as a whole is just as fantastic as always, everybody involved is clearly still having a great time (I'm sure the new casting helps to liven things up as well), and this is a great end to a highly successful Broadway run. May Mr. Durang live happily and healthily on his upcoming residuals.

[DEClarke]

Posted: 8/2/13 at 6:26pm

Is there any chance the show will extend again? I really want to see it but I Won't be in NYC until the end of Sept.

Come to Houston! Our Tony Award winning regional theatre, The Alley, is doing the show from May 23 - June 15, 2014.
Info About "Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike" at The Alley

[gleek4114]

Posted: 8/2/13 at 9:00pm

I live in Louisville KY so while it's a little closer it is still a long trip. :/

[BornThisWay]

Posted: 8/2/13 at 9:14pm

Guuurl, looks like you just outta luck. I have heard great things about Soul Doctor though.

[nasty_khakis]

Posted: 8/5/13 at 10:19am

I saw the show yesterday for the 4th time and laughed probably harder than ever. Everybody has grown, found new hilarious and wonderful moments and grown deeper into character.

Julie White is EXCEPTIONAL, I'll echo the comment about her take being more an aging woman clinging to youth by acting young and free-spirited. She also has far more real/human moments compared to Sigourney's Masha's complete artifice throughout. Her "he needed a LOT of convincing" addition literally got an extended applause/laugh. For the first time I really really cared for and understood Masha. She seemed to struggle with the thought of selling the house while Sigourney seemed to sell it merely as a plot-device. I don't mean to gang up on Sigourney, I really did like her performance, but Julie might have scored a nomination for the part. We definitely need more of her!

Kristine and David were as always truly truly masterful. Their act two monologues brought me to tears twice. David's never had before, but he seems to have found a new touching take on parts while keeping the funny.

It was Billy's last show and he. was. on. fire. I really didn't laugh at all at him off-broadway and by the broadway transfer he was close to being the funniest one on stage. Yesterday he played it perfectly and got so many laughs but never once seemed to mug or just ham it up. He plays big, sure, but there's definitely something grounded about his performance. His final "Spike OUT!" (whatever the actual line is) was amazing and he of course got extended exit applause. He rushed off very very fast, it was clear he was welling up. By curtain call he was SOBBING outright. The entire cast took their bows, then everyone pushed him forward to take a final solo bow. He kept wiping away tears. It was great to witness.

[Comden Green]

Posted: 8/5/13 at 11:11am

thanks, nasty k, i'm all excited. I'm seeing the wed. mat. this week. no billy, but i'll survive.

[HorseTears]

Posted: 8/5/13 at 1:10pm

I'm bummed that I won't be in NY until November and will miss this stellar cast. Anyone have a round-up of the first-string regional theatres doing VSM&S next season? I believe there are a few of them already lined up, like the Alley in Houston, as noted above.

[mpd4165]

Posted: 8/5/13 at 1:42pm

KC Rep announced it for next spring.

[AC126748]

Posted: 8/5/13 at 1:45pm

The Guthrie is doing it next season, as well. It's already proving to be a hot property in major regional theaters.

[Kad]

Posted: 8/5/13 at 1:54pm

Trinity Rep will also be doing it.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 8/7/13 at 2:46pm

FYI, Walter Belenky is the new Spike u/s.
Walter Belenky's website

[gchris11]

Posted: 8/7/13 at 2:50pm

Not as HOT as Billy.

[Kad]

Posted: 8/7/13 at 3:30pm

That is a terrible looking website.

[Courtney2]

Posted: 8/7/13 at 11:05pm

Do you guys think that if I send a SASE to it, I would still receive a Sigourney Weaver signed playbill?

[siny]

Posted: 8/8/13 at 1:05am

Saw the show tonight for the first time. Really liked it and the entire cast was outstanding - not a weak link among them. I thought Creed Garnick did a great job and for those wondering - he has a REALLY hot body :)

One complaint though: they could have shaved off a few minutes here and there. Sonia's phone call was interminable. Updated On: 8/8/13 at 01:05 AM

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 8/15/13 at 3:29pm

"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."

I have yet to see this show. I'm seeing it tonight as a matter of fact. And I am looking forward to seeing it. But why would you wonder about people simply because they hold a minority opinion - even hating something - that happens to be a huge success. Why should it make you sad that some people simply don't like something that is popular and acclaimed? It's all subjective. Many times I've disliked things that are widely popular, don't get the acclaim of things that are highly acclaimed..... all that means is that I happened on that occasion to be in the minority; often I'm in the majority and at other times I'm not.

What's wrong with independent thought, genuinely feeling differently about something than the masses do? People have different tastes, that's all.

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 8/15/13 at 3:41pm

The new Spike is not only deliciously hot (seriously) but totally delightful in the role.