Vanya and Sonia.. extends with Julie White
The Broadway premiere of Christopher Durang's Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, which recently won the 2013 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play, has extended its run for a second and final time and will now play through to 25 Aug 2013.
Original cast member Sigourney Weaver, who stars as 'Masha,' will not continue with the show during its extended run, and will play her final performance on 28 Jul 2013. Weaver will be replaced by Tony Award-winner Julie White ('The Little Dog Laughed'), who will assume the role from 30 Jul 2013.
Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike opened at the John Golden Theatre on 14 Mar 2013, following previews from 05 Mar 2013, and was originally scheduled to close on 30 Jun 2013.
The comedy opened on Broadway to mostly excellent reviews: The show's a ton of fun (New York Post); Breezy wit and satirical bite (Time Out New York); Pure joy from start to finish (Back Stage); Surprisingly sweet and funny (Newsroom Jersey); Brainy and witty and clever and cute (Variety).
Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike first premiered at New Jersey's McCarter Theatre in September 2012. The production then transferred off-Broadway to Lincoln Center Theater's Mitzi E. Newhouse Theatre where it played 12 Nov 2012 - 20 Jan 2013.
Directed by Nicholas Martin, the Broadway production of Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike currently features the entire original company Sigourney Weaver (Masha), David Hyde Pierce (Vanya), Kristine Nielsen (Sonia), Genevieve Angelson (Nina), Shalita Grant (Cassandra) and Billy Magnussen (Spike).
Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike is set in present day Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Vanya and his stepsister Sonia have lived their entire lives in their family's farmhouse. While they stayed home to take care of their ailing parents, their sister Masha has been gallivanting around the world as a successful actress and movie star, leaving Vanya and Sonia to feel trapped and regretful. Their soothsayer/cleaning woman Cassandra keeps warning them about terrible things in the future, which include a sudden visit from Masha and her twenty-something boy toy Spike.
The creative team will feature David Korins (Scenic Design), Emily Rebholz (Costume Design), Justin Townsend (Lighting Design), and Mark Bennett (Original Music and Sound Design).
Julie WhiteOriginally published on