Christopher Durang’s “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike” is a rather slight play under the best circumstances. It requires superstar actors (David Hyde Pierce and Sigourney Weaver on Broadway) to carry the dark comedy’s absurdist themes.
* * ½ Stars | Comedy
As performed at Denver’s John Hand Theater, the show is wildly uneven.
A loose tale of three grown siblings, their rivalries and disappointments, it’s set in the sun room of a lovely farmhouse in Bucks County, present day, as siblings Vanya and Sonia lament the emptiness of their lives.
References to Chekov are sprinkled throughout. The pair were given Chekovian names by their professor parents and now debate whether the smattering of cherry trees outside constitute a cherry orchard.
Things heat up with the arrival of third sib Masha, an aging actress with perfectly sculpted boy toy Spike in tow. Masha is the offspring who pays the bills, and now she threatens to sell the house out from under her stagnating brother and sister.
Caitlin Conklin performs a terrific transformation from the socially phobic and dowdy Sonia into a glamorous version of the character, at first shuffling in a bathrobe then twirling in a gown as she impersonates Maggie Smith on her way to the Oscars.
Jennifer Bass is deep-throated and hyper-theatrical as the actress who started in the classics and devolved into roles in nympho-serial killer movies. And Lisa Young fills the theater with great energy and laughs as Cassandra, the housekeeper and self-styled seer.
Mollie Horne is bouyant as Nina, the young neighbor who diverts Spike’s attention. Spike (Keegan O’Brien, whose speciality is body-building ballet) is self-involved, constantly disrobing and distracting the gay Vanya (Stephen Maestas).
A number of missed lines didn’t help the tricky production. Under Steven Tangedal’s direction, “Vanya and Sonia” brings the dark craziness of Durang to life without leaving as bold an impression as many of the playwright’s more powerful works
Joanne Ostrow: 303-954-1830, jostrow@denverpost.com or twitter.com/ostrowdp
“VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE”
By Christopher Durang. Directed by Steve Tangedal. With Stephen Maestas, Caitlin Conklin, Lisa Young, Jennifer Bass, Keegan O’Brien and Mollie Horne. Through Sept. 26 at John Hand Theater, 7653 E. First Place. Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets $20-22 at 303-562-3232 or online at firehousetheatercompany.com
