Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike Opens Nov. 23 2017!

November 16, 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Kingston, ON – Bottle Tree Productions presents the Kingston premier of Christopher Durang's Tony Award winning comedy Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike. Starring Sean Roberts, Amie Bello. Helen von Bretzke, Daniel Pauley, Cassel Miles and Hannah Smith, and directed by Gord Love, this play will keep you in stitches. The play runs at the Grand Theatre in the Baby Grand from Nov. 23-Dec. 2 and you can get tickets online at the Grand Theatre website, or in person at the box office or by phoning 613-530-2050.

Durang's take on sibling dynamics is pointed up in this comedy, as Helen von Bretzke's aging starlet, Masha , comes home to visit her brother and sister. She brings news and a young man – a VERY young man. Her life is perfect, she has ventured out into the world and has been successful in her career--and she has Spike (Daniel Pauley), her handsome young lover, to decorate her arm.

Sean Roberts and Amie Bello as Vanya and Sonia (photo H.Smith)

Her brother, Vanya (Sean Roberts), and her sister, Sonia (Amie Bello), have stayed in the family home to care for their aging parents, who have since passed on. Theirs was a life of apologising to neighbours for the inappropriate antics of their unwell parents, changing adult diapers, and waiting for the blue heron to make its appearance at the pond. They are dissatisfied with their lives, and with each other. Masha's visit only serves to highlight to them that they have not lived their lives and they find themselves in middle age with nothing behind them, and no prospects for the future.

Sean Roberts, Cassel Miles, and Daniel Pauley

Cassandra, their prescient housekeeper, expertly played by Cassel Miles, brings premonitions about events that will come to pass, In true oracular style, she speaks riddles that contain advice for the siblings. Of course, they think she is crazy, but her warning “Beware of Hootie Pie” hits home.

Spike finds aspiring actress Nina (Hannah Smith) and invites her to meet his famous girlfriend and her family. Nina is a breath of fresh air and hope; young, optimistic, romantic, innocent. Masha is not impressed.

Can anything help this dysfunctional family dynamic? We must always hope.

Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike plays at the Baby Grand Thursday November 23-Saturday December 2. Due to strong language and partial nudity, it may be unsuitable for some patrons.

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