Search ErieReader.com
DonateBest of Erie40 Under 40TicketsAdvertiseDistributionIssuesAboutContactEventsNewsletter
Close
Donate!
Best of Erie 2025
40 Under 40
The Reader Beat
Tickets
Newsletter Signup
Erie Reader Business Quarterly
City Guide
Events
Opinion
Features
Issues Archive
Events Calendar
Advertise
More
Arts & Culture
Business
Columns
Community
Environment
Film
From the Editors
Gem City Style
Local, Original Comics
Music Reviews
News & Politics
Recipes
Sports
Theater
Distribution Locations
About Us
Contact Us
Issue Archives
Internship Opportunities
Write for Us
Share:
Arts & Culture / EntertainmentSpotlight EventsTheater

The Erie Playhouse presents Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike

Three sisters plus one boy toy named Spike equals a Tony Award-winning play that shouldn't be missed.

by Alex Bieler
View ProfileFacebookTwitterInstagramGoogle+RSS Feed
October 29, 2014 at 6:00 AM

There are times when you have to deal with troublesome siblings, and then there are times when you have to try and prevent your famous sister from selling your ancestral home during a quick visit, all while grumbling about the Chekhovian nature of your life.

Okay, maybe the latter scenario isn't all that common, but the situation does make up the base of the Tony Award-winning play Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike. The Erie Playhouse will kick off a three-week run of the Christopher Durang comedic tale, which revolves around a trio of siblings unsurprisingly named Vanya and Sonia and Masha who have to deal with more than your typical family drama when famous actress sister Masha returns to their parents' Bucks County, Pa. home with her boy toy Spike and plans to sell the estate.

Durang was inspired by elements of Anton Chekhov works when he wrote the play, hence the character names, the threat to the aforementioned ancestral home, and a possible cherry orchard. However, audience members do not need prior knowledge of the Russian author to appreciate the story that won the Tony Award for Best Play in 2013, as Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike has been described by reviewers as "riotous" and "nuanced" and "bittersweet" and "zany."

Family drama isn't always fun, so take advantage of Durang's Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike when it hits the Playhouse stage this November. 

7:30 p.m. Nov. 7 to 8, 13 to 15, and 19 to 22 and 2 p.m. Nov. 16 and 22 // 13 W. 10th St. // erieplayhouse.org

erie playhousevanya and sonia and masha and spike

Featured Events

Today Tomorrow This Weekend

Music of Origins Series

Music
Jul. 17th, 6 PM to 8 PM

Sounds Around Town: Reminiscent

Music
Jul. 17th, 7:30 PM to 9 PM

Bad Auditions by Bad Actors

Performing Arts
Jul. 17th, 7:30 PM

Brooke Surgener and the Bandits EP RELEASE Birthday Party Ft. Andre Costello

Music
Jul. 17th, 8 PM

Lawrence Park Farmers Market at the Launch

Shopping
Jul. 18th, 10 AM to 2 PM

Submit Your Event   View Calendar

July 2026: 40 Under 40
Erie Reader: Vol. 16, No. 7
View Past Issues
In This Issue
Erie Reader Business Quarterly
« Download PDF
View Articles »
Erie Reader Best of Erie City Guide 2023-2024

Popular This Week

COVID-19 Cases Rise Slightly In Erie County, Across Country

xRepresentx, Vice, Counterfeit, Cop Torture at BT

Ludacris Shows Behrend Some Southern Hospitality

Best of Erie 2014 Finalists

Hangin' Out at the South Pier

Related Articles

Tracy Turnblad's Moves Aren't Bad!

by Cassandra Gripp7/15/2026, 8:00 AM
Award-winning musical Hairspray returns to Erie Playhouse

An Interview with Harry Connick Jr.

by Larry Wheaton7/13/2026, 12:00 PM
A conversation ahead of his Chautauqua performance

Erie Reader Book Club: July 2026

by Ally Kutz7/13/2026, 8:00 AM
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

Shore Thing: The 2026 Piping Plover Fest

by Liz Allen7/10/2026, 8:00 AM
Celebrate the return of a once-gone bird

Brooke Surgener and the Bandits Go All In

by Edwina Capozziello7/7/2026, 8:00 AM
Local indie favorite celebrates new EP release at King's Rook Club

Cast Away Your Cares with Bad Auditions by Bad Actors

by Erica Stewart7/6/2026, 8:15 AM
Director Rodland brings whimsy, good time to PACA stage
Member of Reporters Shield
© 2026 Great Lakes Online Media
PO Box 10963  //  Erie, PA 16514
Terms of Use Privacy Policy