Synergy Meets Hilarity In Nicholas Martin's Promiseland

Synergy Meets Hilarity
Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike’s director had to possess certain qualities to do this brilliant play justice. Nicholas Martin successfully slides into place and does just that. The direction of V.S.M.S. had to tackle the dynamics of a family in a clever way that radiates fun and hilarity. According to the Tony Awards in 2013, excellence was achieved. This fact alone illustrates that Martin led the play to the metaphoric ‘Promise Land’ by obtaining theatre’s most prestigious award (excluding musicals). However, a few other aspects are working in his favor. These include but are not limited to: the long-term relationship with the show’s playwright, Christopher Durang, an extensive understanding of the characters
He felt he had a “profound appreciation” for the playwright’s works, according to the Backstage Blog of the Lincoln Center Theatre by Brandon Lemon. This was revealed when Martin began teaching at Bennington College, and the first play in production was Durang’s The Marriage of Bette and Boo. “Chris 's combination of humor and savagery really spoke to me," Martin elucidates, "With the new play, the savagery is still intact but I think he now sees some light. And there 's no question that the work has deepened. Chris 's sensibility is very real to me. You always have to keep that real-ness in mind. The mistake some people make when doing his plays is to turn them into cartoons, but when you do that you sacrifice the entire evening" (Brandon
This poses as a risk because too much of an embrace of the Russian playwright could limit the audience and its understanding. And in professional theatre, a show is only as good as the intensity of enjoyment of a broad and vast audience, at least in a production established enough for the Tony Awards. "But you don 't really need to know anything about Chekhov to appreciate and enjoy this evening," Martin reassures. "You can 't direct the play as if it actually IS Chekhov. At the same time, there are moments in the play where you do have to take a breath and just go Chekhov,” (Brandon Lemon).This demonstrates an impeccable equilibrium that science would be jealous of. Martin is the owner of such discipline that crafts together works so eloquently as he balances relevant subject matters and deeper meaning with pure