INFO & SYNOPSIS

In 2013, Christopher Durang was awarded the Drama League, Outer Critics Circle, New York Drama Critics Circle, Drama Desk and the Tony Award for best play for the off-Broadway and Broadway runs. Though receiving a generally lukewarm reception from critics, it recouped its initial investment within a relatively short run of 201 performances. The New York Times review called it a “sunny new play about gloomy people.”

The script uses themes, names and familial situations found in the works of Chekhov. While an understanding of Chekhov might heighten the appreciation of Durang’s comedy, it is not a necessity. Durang calls it a comic homage to Chekov’s works, not a parody and not meant to emulate any of his works directly.

The story follows a reunification of Vanya a middle aged gay man, Masha his sister and Sonia their adopted sister. Masha is an aging movie star and pays all living expenses for Vanya and Sonia who gave up their lives to care for their elderly parents. Events explode when Masha returns from Hollywood to visit her siblings in their Bucks County, Pennsylvania family home. She intends to sell the property and brings along her much younger boytoy, Spike.

Upon arrival, they encounter a beautiful, young neighbor Nina. Nina is the character most like her counterpart from Chekov’s The Seagull. She becomes enamored with Spike, is a threat to Masha and has aspirations of becoming an actress. Also in the mix is Vanya and Sonia’s live in housekeeper, Cassandra a soothsayer spouting comical prophecies that no one takes seriously.

In the end, Sonia has discovered her beauty, Vanya has found his voice and Masha, learning of Spike’s affair, has found renewed love and support from her family. The family home isn’t sold and like The Three Sisters, the family trio is left alone onstage with a much happier and hopeful outcome.

VANYA

male, mid-fifties in age; lives with his stepsister Sonia, together they cared for their aged parents until they died, dour but highly intelligent, plays peacemaker between his two sisters Sonia and Masha, dry and sardonic; actor must possess strong comedic and language skills as well as excellent timing.

SONIA

female, late fifties; adopted sister of Masha and Vanya, considered plain, jealous of Masha, very emotional and full of regret; calls for strong comedic timing and a British dialect to resemble Maggie Smith

MASHA

female, late forties/early fifties; dramatic Hollywood star, flamboyant, bit of a diva, very insecure about aging, softens in the end

SPIKE

male, twenties; aspiring actor who strips to his underwear frequently, very good physical condition, flirtatious with male and females, fully aware of his strengths, not particularly bright; would do anything or one to get ahead; a young version of Vanya until life affected his trajectory

NINA

female, twenties; visiting her aunt and uncle, neighbors to Vanya and Sonia; naive, aspiring actress who befriends Vanya; similar to Sonia before life took its toll

CASSANDRA

female, any age; housekeeper/soothsayer who is occasionally correct; overly dramatic, sassy, firm believer in voodoo; like her Greek namesake, her prophecies are not believed; strong comedian

AUDITION INFO

Vanya & Sonia

• pages 2-4

Cassandra

• pages 8 speech mid-page

Masha & Spike (Vanya)

• pg 15-16 (beginning at Sonia’s exit)

Nina & Masha

• pg 25 from Masha’s “Welcome, lovely little nymph.”