From now until opening night on Feb. 24, The Livingston Post will be profiling cast members of the Hartland Players’ production of “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike.”
Hartland Players kicks off the 2018 year with “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike,” winner of the 2013 Tony award for Best Play. The hilarious blockbuster from noted playwright Christopher Durang begins Saturday, Feb. 24, and runs for four performances.
Set in Bucks County, Penn., adult siblings Vanya and Sonia reside in their old family home, mourning their lost dreams and missed opportunities. When their often-wrong, fortune-telling maid warns of impending dangers, and their movie star sister, Masha, arrives unexpectedly with young, sexy, boy toy Spike, the family is launched into a rollicking weekend of one-upmanship, exposed nerves, and a lot of broken mugs. If you’ve ever had a competitive sibling, this play should resonate with you.
Ashley McKenney, who plays Nina, is thrilled to be going back to her roots after almost six years since being on a stage.
From age 8 to 18, she was an active member of the Pinckney Players, which performs at the Jan Tasche Theater. Even though “Vanya, Sonia, Masha, and Spike” is her first show with Hartland Players, she is very excited to experience a new group of actors and has truly enjoyed expanding her resume with other community acting companies.
Ashley’s last role played before stepping back from theater was Sylvie in “Move Over Mrs. Markham.” Some of her other more memorable roles were Templeton the rat in “Charlotte’s Web” and Pepper in “Annie.”
Ashley was a little nervous to dive back into acting again after so many years away, but after feeling so welcomed and also being surrounded with a few familiar faces from the past, it almost feels like she never left. “Vanya, Sonia, Masha, and Spike” has been the kind of show with the perfect cast, which has helped her remember that the long passion for the theater is still inside her!
The Hartland Players’ production of “Vanya and Sonia and Mosha and Spike” takes the stage Feb. 24-25 and March 3-4 at the Hartland Music Hall, 3619 Avon St., Hartland, 48353. Showtimes are 8 p.m. Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday each weekend.
Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for students and seniors, available online at www.hartlandplayers.com, at the Cromaine Library, or by calling (810) 632-5849.
