In this ongoing series, we briefly introduce you to the actors performing in our plays in a fun way. Episode 71: Meet Lesley Shires of Fayetteville, N.C., an Army brat who plays the lovable aspiring actress Nina in the Theatre Company at the DCPA’s new production of Christopher Durang’s celebrated comedy, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike.

Shires talks about growing up in a military family (“all of the men in my life are military — Special Forces, Green Berets, Special Ops — but they are the nicest, sweetest men,” she says — and the nonprofit organization she created after her young niece was diagnosed with cancer. Hats for Zoe (www.HatsForZoe.Com) provides comfy, creative  caps kids who have lost their hair.

Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike won the 2013 Tony Award for Best Play. It’s about adult siblings whose lives are disrupted by a visit from their Hollywood star sister … and a boy named Spike. It plays through Nov. 16 in the Ricketson Theatre. Call 303-893-4100, or go to www.denvercenter.org. Video by John Moore and David Lenk. Run time: 3 minutes.

And, hey: Check out our new media outlet covering Colorado theatre at MyDenverCenter.Org

 

Lesley Shires plays a sweet, wannabe actress who is happy to be invited to her Pennsylvania neighbor’s costume party — even if it means dressing as one of the seven dwarfs in ” Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike.” Photo by Jennifer L. Koskinen.

Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike: Ticket information
Performances run through Nov. 16
Ricketson Theatre
303-893-4100, or go to the Denver Center’s web site at www.denvercenter.org

Previous 2014-15 “Meet the Cast” episodes:
Charlie Franklin,Lord of the Flies
Patty Goble,The Unsinkable Molly Brown
Matthew Gumley, Lord of the Flies
Paolo Montalban, The Unsinkable Molly Brown
Linda Mugleston, The Unsinkable Molly Brown
Donna English, The Unsinkable Molly Brown
Eddie Lopez, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike
Burke Moses, The Unsinkable Molly Brown
Beth Malone, The Unsinkable Molly Brown
Ben and Noah Radcliffe, Lord of the Flies
Gregory Isaac Stone, Lord of the Flies

Meet the cast episodes from the 2013-14 season:
Death of a Salesman
Just Like Us
Jackie & Me
The Most Deserving
A Christmas Carol
black odyssey
The Legend of Georgia McBride
Hamlet
Shadowlands
Animal Crackers

Our previous coverage of Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike:
Vanya: Opening night photo gallery
Video: Watch a montage of scenes from the production
Cold coffee, hot popcorn make for a good stew
Durang strikes an unexpected peace with an indifferent Broadway
Vanya … is the most popular play in America
Vanya: First rehearsal photos
Video: Eddie Lopez works out with Fox’s morning ‘Everyday’ team
Check out our Study Guide