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THE STORY: Middle-aged siblings Vanya and Sonia share a home in Bucks County, PA, where they bicker and complain about the circumstances of their lives. Suddenly, their movie-star sister, Masha, swoops in with her new boy toy, Spike. Old resentments flare up. Also on the scene are sassy Cassandra, who can predict the future, and a lovely young aspiring actress named Nina, whose prettiness somewhat worries the imperious Masha. Setting is present day. |
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VANYA: 50s, lives in the home where his professor parents reared he and his two sisters. He shares the home with Sonia, his adopted sister. He is resigned to his life; more or less. He is gay but is not defined by that fact. Creative, mild and intelligent, but not fulfilled.
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SONIA: 50s, lives with her brother Vanya in their childhood home. Sonia’s role in life was caretaker of her Drama/English professor parents in their declining years. She is restless, discontented, upset, regretful. She feels she has not experienced life. (Should be able to carry off this Maggie Smith accent:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsEPFKlrmoU )
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MASHA: 50s, Vanya’s and Sonia’s sister; a B-list movie actress who gallivants around the world. She can certainly be self-absorbed, but maybe that is a protective mechanism. She is the one who provides monetary support to siblings. She realizes that the film role offers are dwindling as is her youth.
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SPIKE: 20’s - 30, Masha’s new companion; an aspiring actor who is very attractive but self-centered. Perhaps a deep thought has never entered his mind. However, we must admire his zest for life and attitude of live every minute. (Must strip down to briefs/jockeys)
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NINA: 20s, niece of Vanya’s and Sonia’s neighbors; an energetic and sincere would-be actress who is star struck by Masha. A breath of fresh air that brightens a room.
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CASSANDRA: Vanya’s and Sonia’s odd “housekeeper”; a soothsayer who often makes ominous predictions. She takes her responsibilities as a voodoo practitioner/clairvoyant/protector of Vanya and Sonia much more seriously than her household chores. (Great role which can be developed in various ways)
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Director’s Note: Based on the character descriptions, you may not think this is a comedy, but it really is. Tony award for Best Play 2013! My theory is that the audience will laugh more if they can see themselves, or someone they know, in the characters. These everyday characters (people) are thrown into circumstances, sometimes absurd circumstances, and how they react or what they say brings on humor. It is far less funny if actors speak dialogue in an exaggerated, almost cartoonish manner. Here is a quote from the playwright Christopher Durang, “keep it simple and make it oddly believable,” he said. “Treat it as if they meant what they said. It is both funnier and ‘deeper’ that way.”
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