Even More Theatre

Christopher Durang’s VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE arrives in Waterdown as a sharp, affectionate, and unexpectedly moving comedy about family, regret, and the strange ways we try to make sense of our lives. Winner of the 2013 Tony Award for Best Play, the script blends outrageous humour with genuine emotional depth, offering audiences an evening that is as thoughtful as it is entertaining.

Set in present day Bucks County, Pennsylvania, the play introduces us to middle aged siblings Vanya and Sonia, who remain in the family home long after their ambitions have faded. Their days are marked by routine, mild resentment, and a shared sense that life has somehow passed them by. Into this stagnant world comes disruption in the form of their glamorous sister Masha, a successful but insecure actress, who arrives with her much younger companion Spike. Almost immediately, long buried tensions begin to surface.

Durang builds his comedy on recognizable human behaviour. Sibling rivalries, unfulfilled dreams, and the passage of time all find expression in sharply observed dialogue that moves easily between absurdity and emotional truth. The presence of Cassandra, the family’s housekeeper, adds an additional layer of unpredictability. Her ominous prophecies, delivered with unwavering certainty, hover over the action and suggest that change, whether welcomed or not, is inevitable.

While the play is packed with comic invention, including theatrical references to Anton Chekhov and playful nods to classic drama, it ultimately deepens into something more reflective. In the second half, Durang introduces extended monologues that shift the tone, allowing characters to articulate their fears, disappointments, and desires with surprising clarity. These moments ground the comedy, revealing the vulnerability beneath the eccentricity.

Village Theatre Waterdown’s production brings together a strong ensemble to navigate these tonal shifts. Nicholas Banks leads as Vanya, capturing both the character’s dry wit and his growing sense of displacement. Deb Dagenais gives Sonia a compelling emotional arc, moving from bitterness toward a fragile kind of hope. Christine Hopkins takes on the role of Masha, balancing theatrical bravado with an undercurrent of insecurity, while Dante Casini’s Spike provides a comedic counterpoint with youthful energy and oblivious charm.

Supporting performances add further texture to the production. Kim Jonasson’s Cassandra anchors the play’s prophetic dimension, while Jamiel Recta’s Nina introduces a note of optimism that contrasts with the siblings’ world weariness. Together, the cast creates a dynamic ensemble that reflects the play’s central tension between stasis and change.

Under the direction of Jaclyn Scobie, the production embraces both the farcical elements and the quieter emotional beats, allowing the story to unfold with clarity and pace. The intimate setting of Memorial Hall offers an ideal environment for this character driven work, where small gestures and subtle shifts in tone carry significant weight.

VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE ultimately reminds us that even in lives marked by disappointment, the possibility of transformation remains. Through laughter, conflict, and moments of unexpected insight, Durang’s play captures the complicated beauty of human connection.

Curling and comedy make for a distinctly Canadian theatrical pairing, and HURRY HARD by Kristen Da Silva leans into both with warmth, wit, and a sharp eye for small town life. Now on stage at Theatre Burlington, this fast paced romantic comedy brings audiences into the familiar world of the local curling club, where competition, camaraderie, and unresolved personal history collide.

At the heart of the play is a fractured team and an even more complicated relationship. Bill and Sandy have been divorced for seven years, and their split did more than end a marriage. It divided their curling team into separate camps, with lingering tensions that have never quite settled. When a last minute crisis leaves the men’s team short a player on the eve of an important regional bonspiel, necessity forces an uneasy reunion. Old dynamics resurface quickly, both on and off the ice.

Da Silva’s script thrives on recognizable characters and situations. Anyone who has spent time in a community sports setting will recognize the rhythms of rivalry, loyalty, and stubborn pride that drive the action. The stakes may be centred on a curling trophy, but the emotional core of the play lies in friendship, forgiveness, and the possibility of second chances. The humour is broad and accessible, but it is grounded in genuine human behaviour.

The production also taps into a uniquely Canadian tradition of curling stories. From W. O. Mitchell’s THE BLACK BONSPIEL OF WULLIE MACCRIMMON to Mark Crawford’s THE NEW CANADIAN CURLING CLUB, playwrights have long found inspiration in the culture surrounding the sport. HURRY HARD earns its place alongside these works, capturing both the competitive spirit and the community bonds that define curling across the country.

The Theatre Burlington cast brings this lively ensemble to life with energy and precision. Michael Anania and Jennifer Vince anchor the story as Bill and Sandy, navigating the push and pull of a relationship that is far from settled. Andrea Montgomery’s Darlene adds a strong presence to the mix, while Woodrow Dixon’s determined Terry keeps his eye firmly on victory. Braden Worton rounds out the team as Johnny, the newcomer who finds himself drawn into the group’s complicated dynamics.

Under the direction of Jerrold Karch, the production emphasizes both the comedic pace and the emotional undercurrents of the script. The setting, a curling club lounge that will feel instantly familiar to Ontario audiences, becomes a space where humour and tension coexist. It is a world defined by friendly rivalries with neighbouring towns, where winning matters, but relationships matter more.

HURRY HARD is a reminder that great comedy often comes from everyday life. With its mix of laughter, romance, and small town authenticity, this production offers an engaging and thoroughly Canadian night at the theatre.

EVEN MORE THEATRE