Auditions for Christopher Durang’s comedy Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike will be held Monday and Tuesday, April 6 and 7, at 7:30 p.m. at the Chattanooga Theatre Centre. Scott Dunlap directs the production, with performances June 12-28 on the Mildred M. Montague CircleStage.
About the play:
In Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, the master of surrealist comedy, Christopher Durang departs from his previous works and gets real. Either absurdist Durang was ahead of his time or our reality show existence has finally made the absurdity of life seem mundane. The utterly hilarious and occasionally touching result of his surrealist view of the world is in Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike. Although it is a comedy, it has some darker elements that pervade its themes.
The play has been described as a "sunny new play about gloomy people" and "black comedy about unhappy siblings." In an old farmhouse in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Vanya (who is gay) and Sonia (who is forever reminding everyone that she was adopted) have never had to grow up. After spending their adulthood looking after their now-dead community theater-enthusiast professor parents (who named them after Chekhov's characters), they find life is a mild and tedious existence. Neither of them has a job and money is provided by their sister Masha, who owns the house and pays the bills. They spend their days reflecting on their lost chances, debating whether the grove of nine cherry trees on their property constitutes an orchard, and bemoaning their rather Chekhovian lot in life. Their lives are turned upside-down once their movie-star sister Masha unexpectedly arrives with her twenty-something boy-toy Spike. Soon the siblings are dressing up as fairy-tale characters, channeling Maggie Smith, and dodging the voodoo curses of their soothsaying cleaning woman. They discuss their lives and loves, argue, and stress when Masha threatens to sell the house. Amidst the hilarity, there are moments when this family finds that good old-fashioned human connection might not be obsolete after all.
Director Scott Dunlap offers this note on casting: “All are encouraged to audition, the age of the siblings will depend on the combination of actors we have. They are written to be in their 50s, but Sigourney Weaver was in her 60s when she played Masha and the siblings could also be in their late 40's or a wide range of ages, within five years of each other. The main characteristic that the actors should share is an understanding of the 'happy tedium of licking stamps and dialing a telephone.' I do love that the siblings are of one generation and the rest of the cast was of another, significantly younger generation. It is a huge theme of the play and I would definitely want the casting to reflect this. Also Spike should be very comfortable with physical comedy, be very physically active (push-ups, chin-ups, any-ups), and be comfortable, very comfortable, being in his underwear (briefs). This is considered "adult" for childish use of adult language and adult usage of childish language, so anyone auditioning for the show should be comfortable with that.”
Character Breakdown
VANYA
Somewhere in his 50's. A somewhat easygoing man, who could easily be mistaken as a college professor and happens to be single and gay. He is resigned to this sort of lonely humdrum life, at least compared to SONIA.
SONIA
VANYA's adopted sister, living with him in Bucks County. She is younger than her brother. She is lonely discontent, upset, regretful and fragile. She also does a mean impersonation of Maggie Smith.
MASHA
VANYA and SONIA's sister. She is an international film star who is glamorous and successful. She has little to no responsibilities and seems blissfully unaware of the impact she has on her siblings (or really anyone else) as she is gallivanting around the world.
SPIKE
MASHA's new companion. He is an aspiring actor in his 20’s. He is sexy and self-absorbed. He loves to take off his clothes.
NINA
She is a lovely and sincere would-be actress in her early 20’s who is visiting her aunt and uncle who live next door. She is easily star-struck. She is enthusiastic and energetic, but not in an annoying way...well... except to MASHA.
CASSANDRA
A cleaning lady and a soothsayer. Any age and any race. In the original production she was played by an African-American actress in her 20’s.
The Chattanooga Theatre Centre is at 400 River St. next to Coolidge Park on the city’s NorthShore. For more information call 267-8534 or visit www.TheatreCentre.com.