Gulfshore Playhouse to Open Spring 2015 Season with VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE

Gulfshore Playhouse will present Tony Award-winning comedy, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike January 17th through February 8th, with $30 preview performances on January 15th and 16th.

In this uproarious Tony Award-winning play by Christopher Durang, Vanya and Sonia are joined by their overbearing sister Masha, her hot new young lover Spike, their next door neighbor Nina, and a soothsaying house keeper named Cassandra. Borrowing liberally and hilariously from Anton Chekhov, Durang creates a play that explores family, rivalry, jealousy, and just how funny misery can be.

Founder and Producing Artistic Director, Kristen Coury will direct the production. "I am thrilled to be bringing this funny, heart-warming and intelligent comedy to Naples audiences," says Coury.

Vanya will be played by Kraig Swartz. Kraig is returning to Gulfshore Playhouse after starring in 2013's production of I Am My Own Wife. Kraig has appeared Off-Broadway in The Voysey Inheritence and The Madras House (both at the Mint Theatre) Tartuffe (Pearl Theatre), Jungle Book (BAM) and the Drama Desk Award-nominated So Help Me God, starring Kristin Johnston, at the Lucille Lortel. In Philadelphia, he appeared as Mason Marzak in Take Me Out (Barrymore Award) and as Sam in Fully Committed (Barrymore Award) both at Philadelphia Theatre Company, and Betty/Edward in Cloud 9 at The Wilma Theatre (Barrymore Award nomination). Chicago credits include: Goodman Theatre, Victory Gardens, and Chicago Shakespeare Theatre.

Maureen Silliman will play Sonia. Gulfshore Playhouse audiences may remember Maureen from her appearance in the 2014 New Works Festival. Maureen has appeared on Broadway in Shenandoah, I Remember Mama, and Is There Life After High School?. Off Broadway credits include The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, Marathon Dancing, Three Postcards, Reckless, and Blue Window. Regionally, Maureen has worked with Pittsburgh Public, La Jolla Playhouse, Two River Theater, Delaware Theater Company and the Huntington Theater.

Masha will be played by Amy Van Nostrand. Amy first appeared in a Gulfshore Playhouse production last spring, as Kate Keller in All My Sons. Amy appeared on Broadway in Pinter's The Hothouse. Her numerous Off-Broadway and Regional Credits include Off The King's Road, The God Committee, and productions at Weston Playhouse, where she serves as a Board Member, Trinity Rep, The Guthrie Theater, The Huntington Theatre, and Shakespeare Theatre among many others.

Shane Andries will be playing Spike. After receiving a B.F.A. in acting from The University of North Carolina School of the Arts, he performed with Blue Man Group Off- Broadway in New York, Boston, Orlando, and The National Tour. Most recently, he completed his first short film, Whatever Sunlight Remains, in which we wrote and directed - the film screened in film festival across the country. Past T.V. credits include Showtime's Brotherhood.

Cassandra will be played by Felicia Curry. Felicia returns to the Gulfshore Playhouse stage after appearing in this season's The Mountaintop. Felicia is a 5-time Helen Hayes Award Nominee, where she was awarded as a part of the Best Ensemble for her work on Les Miserables. Felicia appeared on the National Tour of Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka and Barbie Live!, and her regional credits include VA Repertory Theatre, Ford's Theatre, The Kennedy Center, Arena Stage, and Imagination Stage. Felicia is a member of the Capitol Steps and Factory 449.

Jacklyn Collier will be playing the role of Nina. Her Off-Broadway credits include: I Hope They Serve Beer on Broadway, Artbirth, The Awesome 80s Prom (u/s), Ivanov with Columbia Stages, Hurlyburly with Variations Theatre Group and A Midsummer Night's Dream with Pulse Theatre Ensemble. Some of Jacklyn's regional roles include Janet in Rocky Horror Picture Show, Kate in The Taming of the Shrew, and Catherine in Proof.

Gulfshore Playhouse's 2014-2015 Season will continue with the World Premiere production of The Butcher by Gwydion Suilebhan, and from the author of Venus in Fur: The Liar by David Ives.

Gulfshore Playhouse is passionately devoted to creating high-quality professional theatre at affordable prices and diverse educational opportunities for our region. Producing a full season of plays ranging from venerated classics and Broadway hits to contemporary plays and world premieres, Gulfshore Playhouse is committed to surpassing the standards of every valued patron while continuing to contribute to the vibrant arts and culture scene in Southwest Florida.

Gulfshore Playhouse's production of Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike will play January 17th through February 8th, with $30 preview performances on January 15th and 16th. Single tickets start at $40. Half-price tickets are available for all matinee performances one-half hour before the show. Tickets can be purchased by calling the box office at 1-866-811-4111 or visiting www.gulfshoreplayhouse.org. All shows are presented at The Norris Center, 755 8th Avenue South, Naples.