The A. R. Gurney play, Sylvia, at the Music Theatre of Connecticut located in Norwalk, Connecticut is laugh out loud hilarious! Centering around a husband, his wife, and a dog named "Sylvia" the play looks at the dynamics of dog ownership – including its rewards and tribulations. Directed by Kevin Connors and starring Carole Dell’Aquila, Bethany Fitzgerald, Dennis Holland and Jim Schilling, the play is a must see for dog-lovers or those considering bringing a dog into their lives. The play runs until February 23, 2020.
American playwright A.R. Gurney (1930 – 2017) created a notable legacy of 53 plays including The Dining Room, The Cocktail Hour, Love Letters, What I Did Last Summer, Sweet Sue, and Sylvia, to name but a few of his many outstanding plays. We had the pleasure of seeing his play, Sylvia,on opening night, Saturday, February 8, 2020.
Dennis Holland (Greg), Carole Dell’Aquila (Kate)
Sylvia
For the play, Sylvia, playwright A.R. Gurney looks at the relationships between a husband, his wife, and a wildly exuberant dog named "Sylvia." If you have ever owned a dog, you know from personal experience how a dog’s presence in one’s life can become all-encompassing and life-altering. Set in present day, "Greg" and "Kate" have been married for 22 years, their children are grown and are in college, and they have moved from their home in the suburbs to a small apartment in New York City. After a particular trying day at the office, "Greg" (played by Dennis Holland) decides to take a walk in the park. There he finds a dog, an enthusiastic, energetic, albeit dirty and scruffy mutt that vaguely resembles a Labrador Poodle mix wearing a name tag "Sylvia" without any other information.
Bethany Fitzgerald (Sylvia), Dennis Holland (Greg)
Sylvia
The fun and havoc begin when "Greg" decides to bring the dog home to his wife "Kate" (played by Carole Dell’Aquila). While "Greg" is over the moon about "Sylvia," Kate" is decidedly less so. Stating the obvious, "Kate" implores "Greg" that he listen to reason, and lists all of the reasons why they cannot keep the dog, starting with the fact that they live in a small apartmentin New York City and "Sylvia" is a large dog, and continuing with the fact that they moved to New York City so that they could be free to enjoy the city, the freedom to take off on a minute’s notice without any obligations, and that they both work long hours. A dog requires lots of time and attention, something that she feels they do not have.
Jim Schilling (Tom), Dennis Holland (Greg)
Sylvia
As "Greg" was smitten with the dog the minute he saw her, he holds his ground and refuses to bring "Sylvia" to the humane society. "Kate" reluctantly acquiesces and allows "Sylvia" to stay … for a few days. Thus, begins the trials, tribulations and the emotional joys and despairing lows of dog ownership and being responsible for it. Enter in a host of wacky characters to complete the ensemble including, "Phyllis," a longtime friend of "Kate" who upon visiting her apartment is attacked by "Sylvia;" "Tom," a park regular who dispenses dog advice to "Greg;" and "Leslie" a couples therapist who advises "Kate" to just shoot the dog, all played to the hilarious hilt by Jim Schilling (actor and co-founder) of the MTC.
Bethany Fitzgerald (Sylvia), Dennis Holland (Greg)
Sylvia
Like all dogs, "Sylvia" (enthusiastically and realistically played by Bethany Fitzgerald who nails a dog’s nuances) ultimately wins over the hearts of "Greg" and "Kate." Laugh out loud funny, Director Kevin Connors (MTC co-founder) does an impressive job of directing his well-chosen cast of Sylvia that does the A.R. Gurney play justice. Bravo!
Bethany Fitzgerald (Sylvia)
Sylvia
Sylvia performance schedule: Fridays at 8:00 pm, Saturdays at 4:00 pm and 8:00 pm, and Sundays at 2:00 pm.
The play runtime is 2 hours and 5 minutes (including a 15-minute intermission).
Until next time, keep enjoying and supporting the arts!
Cast:
|
Carole Dell’Aquila |
Kate |
|
Bethany Fitzgerald |
Sylvia |
|
Dennis Holland |
Greg |
|
Jim Schilling |
Tom/Phyllis/Leslie |
TheCreative Team:
|
A.R. Gurney |
Playwright |
|
Kevin Connors |
Director |
|
Gary Betsworth |
Stage Manager |
|
Jessie Lizotte |
Scenic Design |
|
Diane Vanderkroef |
Costume Design |
|
Merrie Deitch |
Props Design |
|
RJ Romeo |
Lighting Design |
|
Will Atkin |
Sound Design |
For information on the play or to purchase tickets, please call the box office at +1-203-454-3883 or visit them on the website at www.MusicTheatreofCT.com
For information on upcoming events and other performances, please visit the website: www.musictheatreofct.com
Upcoming Performances 2020
|
Sylvia |
February 7 – 23, 2020 |
|
BUDDY The Buddy Holly Story |
March 20 – April 5, 2020 |
About MTC
"Music Theatre of Connecticut is the premier provider of musical theatre performance and training. Founded in 1987, we produce an annual series of Equity productions featuring New York professionals (MTC Main Stage), numerous annual student productions, and a conservatory-style School of Performing Arts with curriculum-based training for students ages four through high school, including the nationally-recognized College-Bound in the Performing Arts program for performance career-focused high school students."
Music Theatre of Connecticut
509 Westport Avenue
(Enter the Bright Beginnings parking lot and look for MTC’s orange awning)
Norwalk, Connecticut 06851
United States
Box Office: +1-203-454-3883
Fax: +1-203-557-0496
Website: www.MusicTheatreofCT.com
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