Digital Program: Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike
The Footlight Club Presents
Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike
By Christopher Durang
The videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited
Eliot Hall, 7A Eliot Street, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
Information: 617-524-3200
The Footlight Club is supported in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Facilities Fund, a program of the state of Massachusetts administered through a collaborative arrangement between MassDevelopment and the Massachusetts Cultural Council. The Footlight Club is also supported in part by a grant from the Boston Cultural Council, a local agency which is funded by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, administered by the Mayor’s Office of Arts, Tourism and Special Events.
Our newly accessible Eliot Hall, completed in February 2022, is supported by grants from the Massachusetts Cultural Council’s Cultural Facilitates Fund, the Community Preservation Fund, and the George B. Henderson Foundation.
Director’s Note
It was not easy coming back to such a social and intimate experience as mounting a production. After two full years of varying degrees of social isolation, staying out until 10pm for rehearsal, and interacting with groups of people, was sometimes challenging, but in the end, so rewarding. At times I couldn’t help but think of the social isolation that Vanya and Sonia, two of our main characters in Christopher Durang’s Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike endured for years. They went through all the emotional swings from elation to depression, excitement to frustration, tranquility to boredom. In the end, what really matters… what is most important… is revealed to them.
American playwright Christopher Durang won a best play Tony Award for this show, which mines the many themes of Anton Chekhov’s plays, including regret, envy, unrequited love, narcissism, lack of romance and the possible loss of an ancestral family home and yet finds unexpected comedy. We could all use a little humor about now, and in the hands of Durang, the absurd becomes hilarious, and oh-so relatable to everyone at some point in our lives.
As Sonia discovers, it’s never too late to take control of your life and really live. Even when a pandemic makes things difficult, we need to learn to appreciate the simple things in life so that when the time comes to venture out in the world again, we are ready and eager to have a life again.
Cast
Vanya - Vito Abate
Sonia - Heather Konar
Masha - Jennifer Bean
Spike - Mordecai Choi
Cassandra - Rita La Serra
Nina - Alyssa Frey
Understudy/Sonia - Shana Jackson
* The role of Sonia will be played by Shana Jackson on April 30, 8pm; and May 8, 2pm
Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike runs for approximately 130 minutes plus one 15-minute intermission
Time: 2013
Location: A home in the woods by a pond in Pennsylvania
Production Team
Producer - Rebecca Glucklich
Director - Michael Colford
Stage Manager - Coco Coviello
Assistant Stage Manager & Props - Eileen Moynihan
Set & Lighting Designer - Sara Schonour
Costumes - Molly McGowan
Set Dressing - David Alger
Sound Designer - Felix Lecocq
Master Carpenter - Justin Duss
Assistant Lighting Designer - Olivia Sederlund
Set Construction Crew
Kasey Conlon, Kathy Down, Rob Guptill, Heather Jue-Wong, David Nugent, Meredith Weaver
Special Thanks
Elizabeth Bean, Jennifer Bean, Stephanie Chambers, Brian Crete, Dawn Colford, Gianna Gifford, Deborah Karson, Melissa Paz, Shantel Schonour, Val Tracy
Board of Directors
Elizabeth Bean, Amanda Bedford, Chris Nadeau, Rob Guptill, Kathleen Comber, Katie Swimm, Alicia Powell, Jude Torres, Jen Ryan Gelzleichter, Val Tracy, Kate Bischoff, Michael Colford, Kara Chu Nelson, Lessie Tyson, Shana Jackson
Board of Trustees
Brian Bakofen, Zach Best, Paul Campbell, Stephanie Chambers, Shannon Daly, Alicia Powell, Katie Taylor, Katie Swimm
COVID-19 Team
Brian Bakofen, Alicia Powell, Jen Ryan Gelzleichter, Elizabeth Bean
Special thanks to all our dedicated volunteers who continue to help keep the Footlight Club running day in and day out, from front of house, to club clean-outs, we appreciate you!
And to our loyal members and patrons, thank you for continuing to support the Footlight Club!
Cast and Crew Biographies
Vito Abate (Vanya)
Vito is excited to be making his Boston acting debut at The Footlight Club after recently directing Sylvia at The Walpole Footlighters. He is originally from NYC where projects included producing, directing, and performing in ten annual productions of Christmas Theatre and creating just do it – a themed reading and performance series. He worked at The New Yorker magazine before moving to Colorado where he was company manager at the Tony Award-winning Denver Center Theatre Company for several seasons. Upon relocating to Charlotte, he acted and directed professionally throughout the Carolinas, as well as in his beloved home community theatre, Theatre Charlotte (just 94 years young!). Favorite roles include: Billis/South Pacific (MTA award), Mitch/“Streetcar”, Fester/The Addams Family Musical. Directing highlights: Same Time, Next Year, A Funny Thing…, Steel Magnolias, Children of Eden (Rosey Award), and three adaptations of A Christmas Carol. Vito is a certified life and mental health coach. www.vitoabate.com
David Alger (Set Dressing)
David is so excited to be collaborating in-person again! Previous set dressing credits include The Doll’s House and The Importance of Being Earnest (DASH winner), both at The Footlight Club. Drawn to the stage since elementary school, for many years he focused on costume design. At FLC, he designed costumes for Ravenscroft, Promises, Promises, Moon Over Buffalo, The Cat’s Meow, Parade (DASH winner), Ragtime (DASH winner), Hair, Gypsy and Bye Bye Birdie. Other costume design credits include Olympus on My Mind, Amazing Things Arts Center; Bad Seed, Belmont Dramatic Club; Ruthless! The Musical, The Paisley Sisters’ Christmas Special, The Quannapowitt Playhouse; and Guys and Dolls, Our Town, Two by Two, Chicago, Lend Me a Tenor, The Secret Garden, Assassins, Pride and Prejudice. Many thanks to Jamie and Lily for all their support. “Theater is a verb before it is a noun, an act before it is a place.” - Martha Graham
Jennifer Bean (Masha)
Jennifer joyfully returns to live theater after a two-year absence due to [waves hands indicating *everything*]. Favorite roles from her past include Bev from Clybourne Park, Rachel from Reckless, Bananas in The House of Blue Leaves, and Hermia from A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Previous theatrical incarnations include: scenic artist, specialty prop artisan, quick change artist, and washer of celebrity underwear. Many thanks to all the friends and family who put up with her over the last two years; she’s just not herself when she goes too long without pretending to be someone else.
Mordecai Choi (Spike)
Mordecai is thrilled to be making his community theater debut as Spike in the Footlight Club’s production of Vanya & Sonia & Masha & Spike. Mordecai would like to express his gratitude to the Footlight community for welcoming him with inviting arms and offering him the opportunity to once again step onto the stage. Past notable parts include Romeo, from Romeo & Juliet, Sky Masterson, from Guys & Dolls, and Danny Zuko from Grease. Mordecai would like to continue his expression of thanks by praising his fellow cast-members, the director, Michael, the S.M., Coco, and many, many more. Mordecai believes during times of hardship; good people are all one needs. To close, Mordecai thanks Marie, Eileen, Riley, Juan, Miles, Julia, Madeline, Spaceworks, Emmanuel, Mom, Dad, Susan, Esther, Deborah, and his grandmother. G.B. and Enjoy the Show! “You must trust and believe in people or life becomes impossible.” -Anton Chekhov
Michael Colford (Director)
Michael is so excited to be presenting his solo, Main Stage, directing debut after directing two 7A shows, The Great God Pan, and Marion Bridge; and co-directing Honk!, and assistant directing Promises, Promises! and Heathers: The Musical. In addition, Michael has produced several memorable shows at the Footlight Club, including In the Next Room or the Vibrator Play, The Rocky Horror Show, and Clybourne Park. Michael would like to thank all the directors with whom he has worked that have informed many of his choices going forward. Michael serves the Promotions Director on the Board, and chairs the Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee for The Footlight Club. He is the President of the Chlotrudis Society for Independent Film (http://chlotrudis.org) and the Director of Library Services for the Boston Public Library.
Coco Coviello (Stage Manager)
Coco is honored to be part of this production! Previous FLC credits include co-producer for The Cat’s Meow; Assistant Stage Manager for Wait Until Dark, Reckless, Boeing Boeing, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Promises, Promises, and The Music Man; lighting tech/op/design for Seussical, The Wild Party, and Three Sisters; and props for Absurd Person Singular, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Spamalot! (DASH nominee), and Parade, and Stage Manager for Heathers: The Musical (DASH nominee). Other theater credits include props for City of Angels, The Secret Garden, Lend Me a Tenor, and Chess, all with The Longwood Players. She would like to thank her husband, Pacey, for his patience and unwavering love and support.
Alyssa Frey (Nina)
Alyssa is ecstatic to premiere in her debut performance at The Footlight Club! From just the ripe age of nine years old, the theater has been a safe haven for her exploration and understanding of the world. Thus far, Alyssa has performed in over thirty theater performances and several short films - and has no plan to stop. Some favorite on-stage roles include Bunny in The House of Blue Leaves, Fiona in Baltimore, Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar, Donna in Mamma Mia, Rizzo in Grease, and a few short film roles written by Emerson students that you surely don’t know of (yet). In her freetime, Alyssa enjoys crocheting, reading plays, playing music, skateboarding, and journaling. She is currently earning a BFA in acting with a minor in marketing communications at Emerson College. Special thanks to Mom, Dad, and Amanda for the unwavering support.
Rebecca Glucklich (Producer)
Rebecca is thrilled to be back IRL and working with this incredible team of artists both on and off the stage (#dreamteam). Most recently, she was seen in the 2021 virtual production of Talking With and her favorite on-stage roles include Joan of Arc in Chamber Music, Annie in In the Next Room or the Vibrator Play and Rosie Alvarez in Bye Bye Birdie. Rebecca also has a long history of producing for The Footlight Club with Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead, Parade, Reckless and Blood Relations. Rebecca is the Associate Director of Alumni Relations at Emerson College and serves as the Secretary of the Board of Directors for the non-profit organization, Wilderness Volunteers.
Shana Jackson (Understudy/Sonia)
Shana is thrilled to be back at The Footlight Club for their production of Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike! Shana was previously in Our Town, as well as the Assistant Stage Manager for Legally Blonde. Past theatre companies Shana has been a part of include The Nora Theatre Company, Open Theatre Project, The Footlight Club, and Parsnip Ship Podcast to name a few. Dipping her toes back into writing, this summer she co-wrote and starred in the podcast serial “Affinities” (affinitiespodcast.com). Shana can be seen in and around Boston wearing a mask, reciting monologues to her stuffed bear she bought at a gift shop during a particularly rough day, and not watching shows her friends recommend to her. Shana would like to thank, first and foremost her mom, Melissa, Makeighlee, Daniella, Michaela, Sarah, Joslyn, Lee, Bill, and all who have helped, and continue to help her along her journey.
Heather Konar (Sonia)
Heather last “treaded the boards” at the Footlight as part of the ensemble in the 2004 production of Ragtime, and she is delighted to have this opportunity. Other favorite roles have included Mademoiselle in Company One’s The Gibson Girl, Yolanda in Crowns at the Lyric Stage, and the Beta personality of the Creature in an independent production of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein at MIT, where stilts added to her otherwise unimposing stature. Heather also loves directing, including her Footlight experiences of Clybourne Park, Steel Magnolias, Intimate Apparel, and A Raisin in the Sun. Many thanks to her husband Allan and mom JJ for extra childcare coverage during the rehearsal period! Much love to her rambunctious dzieci Alex, Katie, and Max.
Rita La Serra (Cassandra)
Rita is overjoyed to be returning to The Footlight Club. Rita was previously in The Club’s production of Our Town as Mrs. Soames. Previous performances Include Mrs. Frank in The Diary of Anne Frank, Clariee in Steel Magnolias, and Deena in Almost Maine. Rita is very happy that live theater has returned and thrilled to be part of director Michael Colford’s solo, main stage directing debut. When not on stage Rita enjoys soup, driving fast and making soap. Rita would like to thank all those that make community theater possible.
Felix Lecocq (Sound Design)
Felix is delighted to be working with the Footlight Club for the first time. In the past, he has sound designed the University of Chicago productions of Dry Land, good friday, Love’s Labour’s Lost: The Musical!, and the 24-hour theater festival Theater[24]. On the stage, he has acted in Fun Home (John) and Iphigenia & Other Daughters (Orestes), and he has performed stand-up comedy at various Chicago venues, including Second City and Bad Taste.
Molly McGowan (Costumes)
Molly has previously stage-managed Blood Relations and Success/Chamber Music, done props for The Importance of Being Earnest and Legally Blonde, and costumed Clybourne Park and The Doll’s House (all FLC.) She’s excited to be back at it and especially pleased to be working with so many of the cast and crew for a second or third time. Outside of theater, she enjoys reading tarot, thrifting records, and attending the Unitarian Universalist church across the street.
Matt McKee (Photographer)
Oh, we’re back, Baby! Back in the photo studio to create images for the poster and social media campaign for Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike! Over 75 posters and countless amazingly talented Footlight creative people have danced, sung, acted and reacted in front of my camera. And, it never gets old. Thank you for the opportunity to be a part of the amazing world that is the Footlight Club!
Eileen Moynihan (Assistant Stage Manager & Props)
Eileen is delighted to have the opportunity to work with such an incredible group of actors and theatre artists to bring this show to life. She is thrilled to be assistant stage managing for the first time ever! On the stage, Eileen has performed with the Colleges of the Fenway Theater Project as Arvide Abernathy in Guys & Dolls, Mary Hatch in It’s a Wonderful Life, Nurse in Romeo & Juliet, and Miss Lynch in Grease. She would like to thank her friends, Mordecai Choi, her family, and her boyfriend, Will, for always supporting her theatre endeavors.
Sara Schonour (Lighting & Set Designer)
Sara is thrilled to take part in the fun/disillusionment of this unique play, which marks her 12th collaboration with the Footlight Club. Most recently she's contributed behind-the-scenes to productions of Clybourne Park, The Great God Pan, and Batboy, but you can also see her "on stage" in the Netflix series Baking Impossible. Sara is so grateful to those who support and run the Club, which offers an inclusive space to explore, share, and create community. She gives shout-outs to the fabulous direction/production team + talented cast, and a special thank-you to Justin + Olivia for their teamwork. Last but certainly not least, she sends her undying love and appreciation to Shantel, her incredible wife, for her endless support + encouragement!
Olivia Sederlund (Assistant Lighting Designer)
Olivia is so excited to be back doing live theater at Footlight. She has worn many hats here over the last 15+ years, including Producer (Heathers: the Musical, Harvey), Sound Designer (Music Man), and Lighting Designer (Blood Relations, In the Next Room), but lighting has always been her favorite especially working alongside her wonderful designer, Sara Schonour. Many thanks to the whole team for such great work, and to her endlessly supportive and wonderful partner, Nick.
Thank You to Our Footlight Family
We Are So Grateful for Your Support
As you walked in this evening, you no doubt noticed the beautiful new accessible entrance to the Footlight. This project – a new exterior ADA-compliant ramp and interior elevator to all four floors of Eliot Hall – ensures that all our guests can fully access all our spaces. Along the way, extensive repairs needed to be made to the foundation and existing chimneys. New spaces in our basement and on the third floor will provide essential props storage, and we’re already feeling warmer with an upgraded furnace system.
These upgrades were only possible through the generous financial support of our community partners. We extend our thanks to the Massachusetts Cultural Council’s Cultural Facilitates Fund, the Community Preservation Fund, and the George B. Henderson Foundation. Most of our funding came from donations large and small from our Footlight Family. Thank you to everyone who donated.
We are looking forward to welcoming back all members of our community for an official groundbreaking ceremony and dedication on June 13, 2022.
The continued revitalization and restoration of Eliot Hall will always be one of Footlight’s top priorities. Your contributions will continue to make it possible to take on large-and-small-scale restoration projects, as well as maintaining the day-to-day operations of the building.
Every Gift Counts
If you are thinking about making your first gift, now is the time to make a gift in any amount.
Please give now at: www.footlight.org/donate
Or mail a check payable to The Footlight Club to:
Treasurer, The Footlight Club, 7A Eliot Street , Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
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