VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE, Directed by David Hyde Pierce, to Open 2/9 at CTG's Mark Taper Forum

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 by David 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.

The cast includes (in alphabetical order) Mark Blum, Christine Ebersole, Shalita Grant, David Hull, Kristine Nielsen and Liesel Allen Yeager. The production features sets by David Korins, costumes by Gabriel Berry, lights by David Weiner and original music and sound by Mark Bennett. Casting is by Mark B. Simon, CSA and Daniel Swee, CSA and the production stage manager is David S. Franklin.

Set in 21st century Bucks County, Pennsylvania, with hints of 19th century Russia, "Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike" is a riotous comedy with the Chekhovian set-up of a middle-aged Vanya and his stepsister, Sonia, who live together in their ancestral farmhouse, complete with a pond and a cherry orchard.

Their normally quiet existence is thrown into upheaval by the surprise visit from their glamorous, movie-star sister, Masha, and her 20-something boyfriend, Spike, the unlikely prophecies of their cleaning lady and an all too important costume party.

Tickets for "Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike" are available by calling (213) 628-2772, visiting www.CenterTheatreGroup.org, or in person at the Center Theatre Group box office at the Ahmanson Theatre. Tickets range from $20 - $70 (ticket prices are subject to change). The Mark Taper Forum is located at the Music Center, 135 N. Grand Avenue in Downtown L.A. 90012.

Photo Credit: Joan Marcus