‘A unique experience every night’: Anchorage theater company brings family dramedy to the stage

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - Cyrano’s Theatre Company is staging a comedic spin on contemporary families, “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike,” through Sept. 13.

It is a play set in a family home where siblings work through life dilemmas together, and cast members say comedic moments go alongside a story about family.

Cast reflects on live performance

Jay Burns, who plays Vanya, said the audience shapes each performance. The cast says each show feels different depending on how the audience responds.

“That final piece is once that audience is there responding to us and with us, then it becomes something that is a unique experience every night,” Burns said. “It’s never going to happen the same way twice, and that’s one of the things I love about live theater, especially in an intimate space like this.”

Krista Schwarting, who plays Sonia, said she hopes audiences leave with a sense of optimism.

“I hope people walk out of here feeling optimistic about their relationships, and that there are good people in the world,” Schwarting said.

Show has two weekends left

The comedy is two weekends into its run, with eight performances remaining. The stage at Cyrano’s is close to the audience, and cast members say the audience is close enough to touch during the performance.

“Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike” runs through Sept. 13 at Cyrano’s Theatre Company, and tickets are available on the theater’s website.

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