Funny and Touching Play Runs April 21 – May 7
Olathe Civic Theatre Association is gearing up for their fifth and final mainstage show of the season. In the contemporary play, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, Christopher Durang depicts middle-aged siblings, Vanya and Sonia, who 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, eventually leading to threats to sell the house. Adding to the ensemble are sassy maid Cassandra, who can predict the future, and Nina, a lovely young aspiring actress.
The story is directed by returning OCTA veteran, Nino Casisi, who pinpoints some exciting features about one of his all-time favorite plays: “With biting dialogue, comical situations and characters that are so well written, to bring them to the stage with these actors will be a rewarding dream-come-true with hilarious results.” He qualifies the play as a “farcidramedy” that brings the best of both worlds: “It’s both a good old-fashioned absurdist comedy and a farce with ribbons of drama.”
In fact, The New York Times gives similar praise to the show: “Broad comic acting is raised to the level of high art…deliriously funny… a heedless good time.” Casisi is thrilled to work with local KC actors in OCTA’s cozy theatre to bring these deliriously funny characters to life.
“Audiences will feel like they’re lying on a back lawn under the cherry orchards listening in on some very private and funny conversations being spouted from this family’s back porch in Bucks County, PA. Eavesdropping at its best…” Casisi teases.
The cast features: Bill Pelletier (Vanya), Ellen DeShon (Sonia), Jeannie Blau (Masha), David Webster (Spike), Meghann Deveroux (Cassandra), and Lauren McDonnell (Nina). Nino Casisi brings with him the following production team: Patrick Mitchell (Assistant Director and Assistant to the Costumer), Jo Bledsoe-Collins (Stage Manager), Ted Collins (Assistant Stage Manager), Kevin Albee and Nino Casisi (Technical Directors), RubyRenee Wood (Costumes), April Hall (Property Design), Chuck Cline (Lighting Design), and Dustin Kleba (Sound Design).
Olathe Civic Theatre Association is a 501c3 organization producing theatre in Olathe since 1974. Performing in the Buddy Rogers Family Playhouse, OCTA produces five high-quality, engaging, and thought-provoking theatre productions a year.
Receive daily updates by ‘liking’ OCTA’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/olathecivictheatre and follow OCTA on Instagram at octatheatre or Twitter at @OCTATheatre.
Olathe Civic Theatre Association presents Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike April 21 – May 7, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm nightly and Sundays at 2 pm. Tickets cost $13-$18. For ticket information, visit www.olathetheatre.org. OCTA encourages season ticket holders to make seating reservations by calling 913-782-2990 or by e-mailing tickets@olathetheatre.org
Above: Photo of cast, by Rita Marks. Ellen DeShon (seated), Bill Pelletier (seated), David Webster (back row), Jeannie Blau (back row), Meghann Deveroux (back row), Lauren McDonnell (back row).
