The Tony Award-winning comedy Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike runs Oct. 2-5
Wilkes University Theatre opens the 2025-26 season with the conflict and the comedy of family dynamics in Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike by Christopher Durang.
Under the direction of Jon Liebetrau, associate professor of theatre, the play peers into the lives of middle-aged siblings Vanya and Sonia in the Bucks County, Pennsylvania, farmhouse where they grew up. The pair putter through life until a visit from their B-list celebrity sister, Masha, disrupts the day-to-day routine.
In addition to the farmhouse, the trio’s late college professor parents left them with unusual names and struggles — worries about aging, missed opportunities and loneliness — taken from the works of Russian playwright Anton Chekhov.
Spike, Masha’s much younger boy toy, Cassandra, the quirky housekeeper who can see the future, and Nina, a beautiful aspiring actress add to the family drama and complicate the reunion.
“It awakens all of these old competitions between the siblings,” says Liebetrau. “These are universal emotions and anxieties these characters deal with.”
Though some of the characters are decades older than the actors, the cast has put in the work to bring them to life in the naturalistic style that mirrors real-life but shows how they were shaped by their background and environment. The actors have been working on pacing, with a focus on learning to slow down, think and take pauses before they speak.
“Stylistically, for the students, it’s a challenge, but it’s a lot of fun,” says Liebetrau. “The actors are really finding a confidence in these characters that are 30 years away.”
For Liebetrau, it comes as no surprise that the cast is relying on each other and rising to the challenge as they approach opening night. “They’re really talented students,” he says. “It’s an ensemble show and they’re really taking that to heart.”
While the cast and crew are nestled in the world of the family farmhouse, plenty of exciting changes are swirling around offstage. Wilkes University Theatre welcomed two new visiting faculty members this fall.
Plus, workers have been putting finishing touches on renovations to the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center for the Performing Arts. Visitors will enjoy a new elevator, upper lobby, restrooms, box office and high-definition televisions broadcasting the performance in the lobby.
Audience members are invited to check out the building upgrades and stay for the laughs courtesy of Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike.
“It’s a contemporary play with life and humor, and in these times of stress, it’s a great escape,” says Liebetrau. “And the students are pretty spectacular in the roles.”
Question for the cast: What’s your favorite thing about your character?
“My favorite thing about my character Vanya is just his love for the arts but also his goal to find peace in every situation.” – Alby Lopuhovsky (Vanya), sophomore musical theatre major
“My favorite thing about Sonia is that even though she struggles with her self-confidence, she still continues to display hope and self-discovery throughout the show.” – Elena DiSciullo (Sonia), junior musical theatre major
“My favorite thing about Cassandra is that she isn’t afraid to be her crazy self because she would rather care for others too much than stay silent.” – Sarah Pugliese (Cassandra), junior musical theatre major
“My favorite part about Masha is how many layers she has to her. She has been gallivanting for years making her successes and returns home to Bucks County and throughout this beautiful story she is able to reconnect with her siblings Vanya and Sonia.” – Gabby Greffen (Masha), sophomore musical theatre major
“My favorite thing about my character, Spike, is his uber-positive outlook on life. He’s someone who really just enjoys life and sees everything as an opportunity, even when it’s not appropriate and can sometimes make him look like a jerk.” – Antonio Torres (Spike), first-year musical theatre major
“My favorite thing about Nina is how she is so uplifting to everyone and is just a big ball of energy!” – Charley Cain (Nina), junior musical theatre major