Mark Neufang playing Vanya
Tell us a little about character. Are you anything like them?
Vanya is a bit "settled" in his life. While he is gay, he's come to accept being single; his days of being playful and experimental with his sexuality are far behind him (though he isn't "dead" by any means - he's attracted to Spike, somewhat). He is loyal to his family. He took care of his parents as they were dying, along with Sonia - the sibling he is probably closer to and whom he tolerates for her mood swings. He accepts Masha's eccentricities as a successful actress, but he doesn't always understand them. He is the peacemaker among the 3 of them. He doesn't like conflict. Above all, he is fearful of change. As he comments in the play, he is "not a conservative", but he leans toward the traditional. He's often nostalgic for the way things used to be. I'm a lot like Vanya in that, the older I become, the more I often sentimentalize and miss things in the past. I wish things were simpler and feel we as human beings go out of our way to make things unnecessarily complicated at times. So, yes, there is a little bit of Vanya in me!
Do you have any siblings? Are you close to them?
I have two older sisters, Donna and Jill, and I am grateful to say that we are close. I can't imagine going through this crazy life without them - especially as our parents have gotten older. I think time has only made our bond stronger. Enduring together the painful experience of a parent with dementia (our mother) has brought into sharp focus how precious life truly is and to live every moment fully.
What's the hardest part about being in a comedy like Vanya and Sonia?
When I read this play just about a year ago, it resonated with me because - at heart - it's a sibling play. And it's about growing older, and facing that reality together. It's very human, and relatable. There's a poignancy to that, but there is also a brilliance in the way Durang created these characters and wrote these words with some humor. It's our responsibility and challenge to be these people, living these lives...doing and saying these things in a very natural way, while also permitting the audience to laugh and identify. It's not a show that should be played for laughs. It's really more amusing when you just play it straight.
Herbal or caffeinated tea?
Coffee. Black. Decaf. (Not a huge tea drinker.)
What's your favorite kind of pie?
I have 3. Rhubarb (solely, no strawberries). Peach. Concord Grape (an upstate NY specialty, where I am originally from). I like a crumbly, oat-y streusel on top. Oh! And all 3 of these with a big scoop of vanilla bean ice cream.