Curtain call: Soviet kitsch

The premise of Durang’s play feels optimized for laughs: an aging, narcissistic film star, Masha (Tanya Canady Burnham), returns home to visit her “less successful” siblings Vanya and Sonia (Doak Bloss and Gini Larson, respectively) with a young — but equally vain — actor/lover named Spike (Devin Faught) in tow. Situational comedy through extreme dissonance ensues. Despite a thorough blend of snarky pop-culture references, past and present, as well as commentary on aging and fear of change, “Vanya” often struggles to maintain its momentum.

Bloss and Larson, as brother and adopted sister, shine in their scenes, delivering dry wit and perfectly timed staged chemistry. This is not the first time these two fine actors have graced the stage as a hilariously dysfunctional couple (and hopefully this won’t be their last).

Some of their best moments, however, come when they are completely alone. Larson’s one-sided telephone conversation with a potential date is charming and mesmerizing. You feel Sonia’s pent up longing to connect with someone, and Larson’s physical transformation from cynicism to joy is infectious.

Similarly, Bloss, as Vanya, powers through a lengthy rant recalling a litany of Baby-Boomer-generation memories. The monologue sounds like Durang unloading his frustrations on a petulant youngster after several glasses of wine, but Friday’s audience applauded in appreciation.

Unlike Vanya and Sonia, the characters Masha and Cassandra seem written as melodramatic caricatures: Masha, an aging actress petrified of diminishing sex appeal and Cassandra, the housekeeper, a self-described psychic and voodoo witch who spouts obvious or unhelpful prophecies like, “Beware of chicken with salmonella.” Burnham and Bethea chew the scenery with zest, but their jokes often fall flat.

Overall, Faught sells his meat-headed macho actor role — even if he doesn’t quite have the body to match. His “reverse striptease” near the beginning is a comic highlight.

Supporting theatrical elements such as lights and costumes are superb. Tim Fox contributes one of the play’s strongest elements: a stunningly realistic hard-wood cabin interior complete with windows and dark beams hanging from the rafters. The space and ambiance give the cast plenty of space and levels to preen.

“Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike”

7 p.m. Thursday, Mar. 26, Friday, Mar. 27 & Saturday, March 28; 2 p.m. Sunday, Mar. 29 $15/$12 students, seniors and military Riverwalk Theatre 228 Museum Drive, Lansing (517) 482-5700 Riverwalktheatre.com