MANILA -- Repertory Philippines kicks off its 50th year with Christopher Durang’s comedy “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike,” which opens Friday at Onstage in Greenbelt, Makati.

“The problem with being around for 50 years is that everything feels old. It doesn’t excite anyone," acknowledged director Bart Guingona.

"This year, there will be efforts to restyle to appeal to new audiences. This is the upside of being challenged. Repertory Philippines has the bravery and resources to do well-written stuff. There is value in entertainment that is also intellectually uplifting,” he said.

“Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike,” Rep's 434th show overall, certainly fits that description. The winner of the 2013 Tony Award for Best Play, it is a satirical look at Anton Chekhov’s works.

While it is a comedy, there are melancholy undertones in the spirit of a Russian play as elements from different Chekhov plays have made it into Durang’s work.

“You don’t need to have read Chekhov to appreciate this play.” assured Guingona. “But it will make you want to read Chekhov to know more. It’s a sunny play about gloomy people.”

Joining Guingona in opening the theater company's 80th season are theater veterans who are just happy to be back at Repertory for its 50th year.

Rep stalwarts Michael Williams and Roselyn Perez play Vanya and Sonia, respectively, a pair of siblings who live relatively boring lives never having left their hometown of Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

Veteran movie, TV and stage actress Cherie Gil plays Masha, an accomplished Hollywood star who comes home to wreak havoc on the dull and dreary lives of her siblings. Throwing another wrench into Vanya’s and Sonia’s cloistered existence is Masha’s sexy millennial boy toy Spike, played Joaquin Valdez.

Rounding out the cast is Mika Perez who plays a nosy next-door neighbor who’s all but put Masha on a pedestal for her acting accomplishments; while Naths Everett plays Cassandra, the family’s clairvoyant household maid.

The stories of these characters combined make for a weekend full of lust, rivalry, regret, and the possibility of escape.

“The world is the best it can be for three hours in a rehearsal room where everyone is pursuing the truth,” Guingona said.

“Vanya and Sonia and Masha And Spike” runs until February 12.