Repertory Philippines opening salvo for 2017 is a riot for
comedy, a thrill of hilarious yet with a heart and something to ponder after
watching, that is Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, based from a play
written by Christopher Durang. The said
play is based on the characters by created by Russian playwright Anton Chekov,
it was awarded as Best Play in Tony awards 2013.
It is a powerhouse casting starting with highly acclaimed
stage, movie and TV actress Cherrie Gil, that really surprise me, she can be
really good in throwing punchlines, and does well in making you laugh, she play
Masha with all honesty, it is tailored made for her.
Other main cast include Roselyn Perez as Sonia, Michael
Williams as Vanya, Joaquin Valdes as Spike, Naths Everett as Cassandra, and
Mica Pineda as Nina. This is under the direction of Bart Guingona, and a
guaranteed trademark that you can’t go wrong if it’s Bart’s work, it is such an
entertaining one indeed.
The play is a story of three siblings, two of them were not
able to leave their home and regrets many things they wish they did outside,
while the other sister which is Masha is a celebrity actress who got a lot of
stories to tell outside of their ancestral house, they reunite one summer and
the rest is something you need to see for yourself.
The message of the play for me is clear, it’s all about
family, everything we accomplish in life, no matter who we meet, and wherever
we go, we still value the first people we grow up with, and yes, as the saying
goes, blood is thicker than water.
Other highlights on this play that you should not miss are,
that damn buff to die for body showing of Spike as played by Valdes, the almost
10 minute solo monologue of Williams, it is really something you have to listen
and analyze, the Maggie Smith Oscar costume of Sonia, that is so hillaious, and
the audition acting of Nina is also another surprise.
Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike is Repertory’s 441st
production and the first for their 80th season. This 2017, Repertory
is celebrating its 50 year anniversary, before the play open they announce that
come June 11, a grand anniversary celebration is being prepare, all past and
present actors, and people who become part of Repertory will unite in one
evening. Venue is to be announce soon.
It opens last Jan 20 and runs until Feb 12 at Onstage of
Greenbelt 1 in Makati City. For inquiries, you may call REP at (02)843-3570,
Ticketworld at 891-9999 or log on to
www.ticketworld.com.ph
for show schedules.
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