REVIEW: Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike Brings the Laughs to the Southampton Cultural Center

'Vanya and Sonya and Masha and Spike', cast with director Bob Kaplan at the Southampton Cultural Center. Photo courtesy of boots on the ground theater

A revival of Christopher Durang’s Tony Award-winning comedy — 2013’s Best Play  — Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike is onstage for one more weekend at the Southampton Cultural Center, presented by boots on the ground theater. It’s worth seeing for its constant hilarity, strong performances and direction, and a script that tackles sibling rivalry, identity, generational clashes, and the narcissism (and hope) of youth — all with Durang’s signature absurdist touch.

Set in the present day (though its themes are timeless and Durang was arguably ahead of his time), the play takes place in a country house in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The story follows three middle-aged, single siblings — all named after Anton Chekhov characters, thanks to their professor parents. You don’t need to know Chekhov to enjoy the play, but fans will appreciate the witty Chekhovian references, including a nod to The Cherry Orchard.

Vanya (Randall Hemming), Masha (Aly Friendman) in ‘Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike’. at SCC. Photo courtesy of boots on the ground theater

Brother and sister Vanya and Sonia live together — and that’s where the dysfunction begins. Vanya (played with depth, commanding comedic timing, and a knowing twinkle by Randall Hemming) is gay and passive at the outset, while Sonia — the adopted sister who never lets anyone forget it — is played to unpredictable comic and tragic effect by Bonnie Grice. The two live in their childhood home, where they once cared for their now-deceased parents. They have no careers, no relationships, and little joy — and as we know, dependency breeds resentment.

Enter Masha (a tour de force by Aly Friedman, who lights up the stage with her self-absorption and drama), the glamorous, famous sister who returns home with her boy-toy boyfriend, Spike (played with unadulterated narcissism and youthful bravado by Thaddeus C. Plezia). Masha doesn’t just command attention — she owns the house and plans to sell it. Naturally, all hell breaks loose.

Masha (Aly Friendman), Spike (Thaddeus C. Plezia) and Sonia (Bonnie Grice) at SCC. Photo courtesy of boots on the ground theater

Vanya and Sonia’s dreary existence is punctuated by their eccentric housekeeper, Cassandra (played hilariously by Kristin Dougherty, an audience-pleasing disruptor as the self-described psychic). When Spike befriends the young, wide-eyed, attractive aspiring actress Nina (played convincingly and earnestly by Leah Kerensky), the household dynamic unravels even further.

Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike marks the 12th production from boots on the ground theater, founded and produced by Bonnie Grice, best known as a longtime WLIR radio DJ. The nonprofit, non-Equity company has been in residence at the Southampton Cultural Center since 2018, consistently delivering quality productions year-round.

“Our mission is to bring history theater and the classics from the theater canon to life for Long Island and Hamptons audiences,” Grice said.

Boots on the Ground’s productions are a welcome cultural offering on the East End — and deserving of full houses.

Spike (Thaddeus C. Plezia), Vanya (Randall hemming) and Masha (Aly Friendman). Photo courtesy of boots on the ground theater

Director (and set designer) Bob Kaplan strikes the right balance of comedy and pathos, guiding his actors with a deft hand for the outrageous. Lighting (by Sebastian Paczynski, with technical design from Chris Buckhout) and sound design (by Dennis Milone) complement the show’s shifting moods, from nostalgic to vibrant. Stage manager Evelyn Lubrano is a welcoming presence to audiences who frequent the theater at SCC.

Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike continues Friday and Saturday, Oct. 24–25, at 7 p.m., and Sunday, Oct. 26, at 3 p.m. For tickets, visit scc-arts.org. The Southampton Cultural Center is at 25 Pond Lane, Southampton.

Angela LaGreca

Editor, Co-Founder/Publisher

Angela LaGreca, Editor-in-chief and co-Founder/Publisher of Spark Hamptons, is a four-time Emmy Award-winning journalist, producer, writer and comedian/host. Her TV credits include NBC’s “Today,” ABC’s “The View,” and, most recently, the primetime cable news program “Cuomo” on NewsNation. On the East End, she was the Creative Director at LTV, VP Features/Events/Photo Editor at Dan’s Papers, and has performed at Guild Hall, Bay Street Theater and the WHBPAC. Her publishing career began at Modern Photography, where she was managing editor. LaGreca lives in Manhattan and East Hampton and can be reached at angelatvmedia@gmail.com and angela@sparkhamptons.com .