When we started rehearsals at Portland Center Stage for Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike last Tuesday, we were given a tour of the beautiful Gerding Theater (a.k.a. The Armory). They are currently running their seasonal favorite production The Santaland Diaries in the Ellen Bye Studio Theatre in the basement. The minute I laid eyes on the fantastic set, I thought: what a great holiday photo opportunity for the Vanya and Sonia cast! Our fabulous stage manager Kelsey Daye Lutz made inquiries and obtained permissions and assistance from many kind souls, and Kate Szrom even came along to take the photos for us. I love seeing our characters behaving as usual in this utterly foreign and fantastical holiday world.
Here’s a shot where Vanya tries to teach the true meaning of Christmas to sisters Masha and Sonia, as Nina and Cassandra look on, and Spike looks off (maybe at that tempting pond?). Will harmony prevail in time for Christmas Day? Stay tuned!