Kristine Nielsen News

Center Theatre Group has a big hit in Christopher Durang's Tony Award-winning comedy "Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike," currently in performances at the CTG/Mark Taper Forum. With strong ticket sales and critical acclaim, CTG has extended the run by a week, now closing on March 16, 2014.

The four-time Emmy winner David Hyde Pierce stopped by to talk with Tavis Smiley about his latest projects, including directing the L.A. production of the Tony-winning VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE, as well as the possibility of acting in the show in London. Pierce told Smiley: 'And in the fall the plan is to take Vanya to London, the original production, and I'll go back to acting in it.' Watch the full interview below!

After a stellar off-Broadway run in 2012, and a Tony-award winning Broadway production in 2013, the Los Angeles premiere of Christopher Durang's "Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike", opened Sunday night at the Mark Taper Forum, and it was well worth the wait to see.

Christopher Durang loves to take a somewhat placid environment and turn it upside down, inside out. What doesn't happen matters just has much if not more than what does and the characters let out their feelings at the slightest provocation. Sound like it's right out of Anton Chekhov? When Sonia gives coffee to her brother Vanya and he seems displeased with it, she takes the cup away from him in anger and throws it against the wall. It's not the coffee comment that has upset her, it's the way she feels inside, at the overall way her brother neglects her, takes her kindness for granted. She's sad and is not afraid to tell him so. Vanya, Sonia, Masha and Spike, now onstage at the Mark Taper Forum and last year's Tony winner for Best Play, is one hilarious ride from moment to moment with wonderfully surprising twists and an eclectic mix of characters that would make any world dysfunctional. Dysfunctional is the new normal, and that's what makes Durang's work shine. Akin to drama queens, misery forms their best company. It's as if everyone were totally smashed...they say and do what they feel; they're so brutally honest, you can't stop laughing.

The Actors Fund is holding a Special 'Producer's Picks' Fundraising Evening at tonight's, February 11th performance of Christopher Durang's award-winning comedy, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles. In addition to enjoying the show, guests will receive an autographed program and enjoy an exclusive post-performance dessert and wine reception with director, David Hyde Pierce, and cast members.

Christopher Durang's Tony Award-winning comedy 'Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike' opened last night, Sunday, February 9 at 7 p.m. at the Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum. BroadwayWorld brings you a look back at the opening night festivities with the cast, crew, and attendees below!

Hottest Articles on BroadwayWorld.com from this weekend Sunday, February 9, 2014 - Sunday, February 9, 2014.

Christopher Durang's Tony Award-winning comedy 'Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike' opens today, Sunday, February 9 at 7 p.m. at the Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum.

The Actors Fund is holding a Special 'Producer's Picks' Fundraising Evening at the Tuesday, February 11th performance of Christopher Durang's award-winning comedy, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles. In addition to enjoying the show, guests will receive an autographed program and enjoy an exclusive post-performance dessert and wine reception with director, David Hyde Pierce, and cast members.

Christopher Durang's Tony Award-winning comedy 'Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike' opens Sunday, February 9 at 7 p.m. at the Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum. The hysterically funny and affecting new play is directed byDavid Hyde Pierce, based on the Broadway direction of Nicholas Martin, and has performances through March 9, 2014. 'Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike' is currently in previews. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Christopher Durang's Tony Award-winning comedy 'Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike' opens Sunday, February 9 at 7 p.m. at the Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum.

Tony and Emmy Award-winning actor David Hyde Pierce will return to the hysterically funny and affecting new play 'Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike,' this time directing the play which earned him his most recent Tony nomination. Christopher Durang's Tony-winning farce will be performed at the Center Theatre Group / Mark Taper Forum, tonight, January 29 through March 9, 2014, and will feature two Tony-nominated members of the Broadway cast.

Rehearsals are underway for Christopher Durang's 2013 Tony Award-winning comedy, 'Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike,' directed by Tony Award and Emmy Award-winner David Hyde Pierce, based on the Broadway direction of Nicholas Martin. 'Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike' will be presented at the Mark Taper Forum, January 29 through March 9, 2014. The opening is scheduled for February 9. Check out a first look at the cast in rehearsals below!

The Public Theater began performances for the 10th Anniversary of the world-renowned UNDER THE RADAR FESTIVAL last night, January 8. A highly-anticipated program of The Public Theater's winter season, the 2014 UNDER THE RADAR FESTIVAL includes artists from across the U.S. and around the world, including 600 HIGHWAYMEN, Lola Arias, Edgar Oliver, tg STAN, SKaGeN, Andrew Ondrejcak, John Hodgman, Sekou Sundiata, Roger Guenveur Smith, Toshi Reagon, and Reg E. Cathey who has joined the cast of FEAST. BroadwayWorld was there for the opening night celebration and you can check out photo coverage below!

Today, check out part one of this year's curtain call highlights 2013, and catch up on anything that you might have missed within the last 12 months!

'Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike' by Christopher Durang will play Center Theatre Group's Mark Taper Forum, directed by David Hyde Pierce, based on the Broadway direction of Nicholas Martin, beginning January 29, 2014, with an opening slated for February 9. The production will play through March 9, 2014.

TUMACHO, an intimate one-night performance with songs to benefit five-time Obie-winning theatre company Clubbed Thumb, was held earlier this week on December 16 (7:30pm) at 13th Street Theater. 2013 Tony Award winner Pam MacKinnon directed, written by Obie winner Ethan Lipton. The event featured Patrick Wilson, America Ferrera, Christian Borle, Celia Keenan-Bolger, Kristine Nielsen, Richard Kind, and John Ellison Conlee. Check out a look back below!

TUMACHO, an intimate one-night performance with songs to benefit five-time Obie-winning theatre company Clubbed Thumb, will take place tonight, December 16 (7:30pm) at 13th Street Theater. 2013 Tony Award winner Pam MacKinnon directs, written by Obie winner Ethan Lipton. The event will feature Patrick Wilson, America Ferrera, Christian Borle, Celia Keenan-Bolger, Kristine Nielsen, Richard Kind, and John Ellison Conlee.