Vanya & Sonia & Masha & Spike
Directed by Dan Burkey
Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike is a comedy play written by Christopher Durang. The story revolves around the relationships of three middle-aged single siblings, two of whom live together, and takes place during a visit by the third, Masha, who supports them. They discuss their lives and loves, argue, and Masha threatens to sell the house.
Mature content, language and sexuality. Recommended for ages 13 and older.
Show Times:
February 18, 2022 -7:30pm -Cast B
February 19, 2022 -7:30pm -Cast A
February 20, 2022 -2pm (Matinee) -Cast B
February 24, 2022 -7:30pm -Cast B
February 25, 2022 -7:30pm -Cast A
February 26, 2022 2pm (Matinee) -Cast A
February 26, 2022 -7:30pm -Cast B
Meet the Cast
Vanya
Daniel Hennell (Vanya, Cast A) Dan Hennell wishes to express his sincere appreciation for all the volunteers of STC who give so much of their time and talent, and to say a heartfelt thank you to all of STC's generous sponsors, season ticket subscribers and patrons. He also hopes that STC will continue to attract many more friendly new faces who wish to be part of this amazing group of creative people. Dan is grateful for yet another opportunity to collaborate with so many gifted and selfless artists, actors and designers. Lastly, he'd like to personally congratulate director Dan Burkey in his masterful handling of the reins in guiding two completely separate and different casts through the rigors of what was a very challenging rehearsal schedule. Well done, Dan.
Aaron Covey (Vanya, Cast B) Aaron Covey is making his Main Stage debut as Vanya, but has appeared previously in the Studio Players productions “The Edgar Allen Poe Afterlife Radio Show” (2021) as Fortunato/Roderick and “Doubt'' (2014) as Father Flynn. It has been an absolute honor to be a part of this production with both of these wonderful casts!
Sonia
Gail Bray (Sonia, Cast A) Gail moved to Sheboygan from Bloomington, IN in April. She was thrilled to see that STC was producing this play because she loves it! She was bitten by the acting bug when she was 9 years old, and has been working and playing in theatre ever since. A few favorite roles include the Nurse in “Romeo and Juliet” with Cardinal Theatre in Bloomington, IN, Ouiser in “Steel Magnolias” with the Shawnee Theatre in Bloomfield, IN, and Ivy Weston in “August: Osage County” at the Phoenix Theatre in Indianapolis. Many thanks to Dan and Mitch and all the wonderfully talented and welcoming STC folks! And to you, the audience! We are so happy to see you!
Kerri Rank (Sonia, Cast B) Kerri is excited to return to STC's Mainstage after a 35 year hiatus. She was most recently in Studio Players "The Edgar Allen Poe After Life Radio Show" where she performed "The Raven". Her favorite roles are: Rose in "Dancing at Lughnasa", Miss Poppenghul in "Moonlight and Magnolias", Truvy in "Steel Magnolias", Mattie Fae in "August: Osage County" (2019 Milwaukee Footlights Best Supporting Actress nomination), and Roz in "White Guy on the Bus". She is utterly delighted to now add Sonia to that list!
Masha
Judith Ann Maupin (Masha, Cast A) Judith Maupin is excited to join this talented cast for her first performance with STC. Prior favorite performances in her theatre resume over the years include Cecily, “The Odd Couple,” Barbara, “Social Security,” Lorraine, “The Man Who Came to Dinner,” Christine, “Murder on the Nile,” and Charmaine, “Sex, Please, We’re Sixty.” Her performances and directing have also included murder mystery audience interactive shows in the area. Judith is ever thankful for her husband Kyle, who has been endlessly supportive and encouraging during each theatrical journey. Judith hopes to bring Masha’s complex personality to life in the show and is grateful for the opportunity to perform at STC.
Nanette Bulebosh (Masha, Cast B). Nanette, of Elkhart Lake, is delighted to be back on the STC stage, especially with this amazing cast and crew. Among her favorite STC/Studio Players roles: M'Lynn in “Steel Magnolias”, Daisy in “Driving Miss Daisy”, Charlotte in “Moon Over Buffalo”, and Vixen in “The Eight: Reindeer Monologue”s. She is the proud mom of Emerson and Simone, and enjoys her job at Riverbend of Kohler. She would like to thank director Dan Burkey for his inspiration, stage manager Mitch Birkey for his kindness, and KR, her real Spike, for his support and affection.
Spike
Tom Roberts (Spike, Cast A & B) Tom hasn’t been on stage much lately, but starting a family can do that. His most recent stage work has been performing and directing “Mill Street Live!” in Plymouth where he and his family reside. Some of his notable performances along the lakeshore have been Robert in “Company”, Gabe Goodman in “Next to Normal”, Ash Williams in “Evil Dead the Musical'', Sid Sorokin in “The Pajama Game”, Roger in STC’s 2012 production of ''Rent”. When not performing or with his family, Tom works at Kohler Power Systems, Co-Chairs the United Way of Sheboygan County’s Emerging Leaders, coaches hockey, and spends his few remaining hours as a professional Dungeon Master.
Nina
Elizabeth Kaufmann (Nina, Cast A) Elizabeth is delighted to return to the STC stage with this talented cast and director. She has been performing with local theater companies since she was eight years old. Her favorite roles have been Gabriella in “High School Musical” with Dare to Dream, Rosie in ”Mamma Mia” with Sheboygan North/South, and Kowalski in TYA’s “Madagascar”. Elizabeth is enjoying acting in season 2 of the online adventure series “Missing in the Museum“ through Dare to Dream. Outside of theater, Elizabeth is a freshman at Sheboygan North HS, and a performer in Warped Studio’s Aerial Dance Company. She hopes you enjoy the show!
Kim Xiong (Nina, Cast B) Kimberly has been doing theatre for 3 years now and she is thrilled to be working with amazing and talented creators. She has been in the productions of “You Can’t Take it with You” (Mrs. Kirby), “Annie” (Ms. Hannigan), “Footloose”(Mrs. Mccormack), and in STC’s previous production, “Elf: The Musical”(Matthews, Police). Kimberly is proud of her cast, and she hopes you enjoy the performance!
Cassandra
Barbara Alvarez (Cassandra, Cast A & B )Barbara is thrilled to be part of another production with STC! This is Barbara's second play; she was previously Roz in Sheboygan Theatre Company's 2019 “Moon Over Buffalo”. Enjoy the show!
Meet the Director
Dan Burkey is the founder of Mad Yarn Theatre Company, which has presented the annual MadCap 24-hour Play Festival as well as full-length productions since 2014. Local directing credits include Madagascar: The Musical, Jr. (Theatre for Young Audiences); White Guy on the Bus (UW-Green Bay Sheboygan Campus University Theatre) The Eight: Reindeer Monologues, Classic Eight, Chatting with the Tea Party (staged reading), Bea Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table and Dead Man's Cell Phone (Mad Yarn); Dog Sees God and The Curious Case of the Watson Intelligence (Studio Players), and several staged readings with Belongership Theatre Company. He also collaborated with Warped Dance Company in the creation of Clara Takes Flight: an Aerial Nutcracker, during which he invented the art of aerial unicycling. He holds a BA in Dramatic Arts from Centre College, and a teaching certificate in Theatre Education from UW-Milwaukee. By day, he teaches drama at the Étude Group schools in Sheboygan.