An Evening with All the Feels
I recently had the incredible opportunity to photograph the Cary Players’ performance of Chris Durang’s play “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike” at the Cary Arts Center in Cary, North Carolina. The title might be a jumbled mouthful (honestly, it took a lot of practice before I stopped accidentally calling it “Vicky, Christina, Barcelona”) but that title is worth remembering. Vanya et al. won the 2013 Tony Award for Best Play and the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Play. It’s a brilliant blend of humor and poignant reflection on dynamics and the passage of time.
“Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike” tells of three middle-aged siblings, Vanya, Sonia, and Masha. Vanya and Sonia live a quiet life in their family home in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, supported by their movie-star sister, Masha. The play takes a comedic yet touching turn when Masha arrives with her much younger (and “over-sexed”) boyfriend, Spike. Add to the that a wildly humorous housekeeper (who might be a bit touched by the voodoo) and a young, kind-hearted and beautiful empath who (much to Masha’s angst and chagrin) catches Spike’s philandering eye and the weekend becomes full of hijinks with unexpected revelations, sibling rivalries, and a lot of laughs.
I have in some fashion been involved with the Cary Players (either as a sound tech and designer, a photographer, or an audience member) for many years and have seen the Players perform many great shows. Yet, this rendition of Vanya et al. was by far the most daring and moving performance I have seen from them to date. A common joke about community theatre is that a show is good if everyone remembers their lines. With “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike,” the Cary Players elevated that bar tremendously. The set, costumes, lighting, and sound were all top-tier, but it was the performances and the themes explored that really set this play apart from what I’m used to seeing from community theatre. Their performance pushed boundaries and I believe it will challenge Cary’s growing community in the best possible way. It makes me look forward to what comes next from the Cary Players.
I am incredibly grateful to have been invited to photograph such a fantastic performance. Capturing the raw emotions and dynamic interactions on stage was a true honor. Thank you, Cary Players, for an unforgettable experience!
Hi! I’m Dan from DC Chadwick Photography. I’m a family, portrait, and event photographer located in Cary, North Carolina, and serving the greater Raleigh-Durham area. I love photographing lovely people with the ones they love and doing the things they love. Simply put: I love capturing love! Couples and engagements, weddings, newborns, seniors and graduations, family reunions, sports, stage performances (theatre, concerts, recitals), professional headshots—whatever you need, I’m here for you. Give me a shout so we can talk about how we can work together to make your ideal photo session a reality!
