Black Curtain: Snarky play takes look at topic of sibling rivalries

The Whitefish Theatre Co. presents its third Black Curtain Theatre production of the 2019-2020 season with the award-winning play “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike” at the O’Shaughnessy Center in Whitefish.

This snarky and delightfully well-written play has performances on Jan. 25 and 26 at 7:30 p.m.

In pastoral Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Vanya and his sister Sonia reside in their old family home, mourning their lost dreams and missed opportunities. However, when their fortune-telling maid, Cassandra, warns of impending dangers, and their movie star sister, Masha, arrives unexpectedly with her hunky boy toy, Spike, a lifetime of sibling rivalry explodes into a rollicking weekend of one-upmanship, exposed nerves, and a lot of broken mugs. Winner of the 2013 Tony Award for Best Play, acclaimed playwright Christopher Durang has penned a laugh-out-loud play on the modern topic of sibling rivalries and sprinkled it as a loving homage to Anton Chekhov’s themes of heartbreak and hope.

“By taking Chekhovian characters and subjects and putting them through a blender, Christopher Durang has written a sharp and honest play for the 21st century,” said Director Katie Nixon. “The classic ideas that run through this play — romanticizing the past, feeling like life has passed you by, unrequited love, envy, narcissism, losing your place or space in the vast scheme of things — are all things we have felt at one time or another.”

“‘Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike’ is a deliciously funny update on these themes, an outrageous comedy that offers an offbeat take on regret, longing and the possibility of change.”

Cast members include David Blair as Vanya, Cathy Kraft as Sonia, CrisMarie Campbell as Masha, Sarina Hart as Cassandra, Sophie Sieh as Nina, and Mikey Winn as Spike.

“The cast is having a blast,” Nixon said. “Though the characters in the show may not be able to get out of their own way, these actors have fully embraced the challenges put before them.”

Viewers are reminded that as a Black Curtain production, there will minimal staging, no set or props, and actors may reference their scripts.

Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students with general seating and can be purchased at the WTC Box Office, at whitefishtheatreco.org or at the door on the evenings of each show.

The Box Office, located at 1 Central Ave. in Whitefish, is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and at 6:30 p.m. on the night of each show. For more information, call 862-5371. This show is sponsored by Meg Wolfe and Steve Lull and Bet and Doug Wise.