Theater Oxford will present a three night run of Vanya & Sonia & Masha & Spike April 6-9 hosted at The Powerhouse. The critically-acclaimed comedy production incorporates themes and characters of Chekhov without ostracizing those who are not caught up on his works.
Vanya & Sonia & Masha & Spike centers around three middle-aged siblings. The play takes place when Masha returns her childhood home still occupied by Vanya and Sonia. With Masha is her young lover, Spike. The focus is on relationships, family, and all the parts that come with them.
“I read through a lot of Chekhov so that not only I understood the source material, but I also needed to know how to direct this. After brushing up on his work, I’m catching all these subtle references throughout the play,” said director Matthew King. “Even if you aren’t well-versed in Chekhov, you’re going to really enjoy yourself. It won Best Play at the 2013 Tony awards, so you know it’s got to be pretty good.”
In a partnership with Team Fox arranged by King, proceeds of Sunday night’s showing will be donated to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. While 2016 reports are not yet available, the foundation reported $87.8 million of funding for research programs in 2015. The foundation boasts $700 million funded to find a cure for Parkinson’s disease.
“I’d done previous work with Team Fox,” said King. “So when I saw this opportunity we reached out to them and they were all for it. This seemed like a good way to make a difference.”
King as well as cast members Kate McCalley Hopper and Evelyn Fernandez each have family members and loved ones diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. Further appropriate is April being Parkinson’s Disease awareness month.
King only recently returned to Oxford, previously working as a professional actor in New Orleans, to be closer to his father who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2014.
In addition to Sunday’s proceeds, King has donated his associated director’s fee to Team Fox.
Tickets for Vanya & Sonia & Masha & Spike are available through their website TheaterOxford.com. Ticket cost for students, seniors, and Theater Oxford Members is $15. Non-members will pay $20. 
