SYLVIA

Pat Koskinen

When a middle-aged man finds that his children have grown and left home and that.he is bored and disilllusioned with his job, what should he do? Buy a Ferrari, have an affair, run away from home to Tahiti? In J. R. Gurney’s play, SYLVIA, which opened at the Birdcage Friday night, the leading man comes up with a different solution, he adopts a dog he finds in the park. Gurney wrote THE COCKTAIL PARTY, the hit Bill Falcon directed at the Birdcage last year.*note from webmistress. 
This play is a complex comedy which is really about Greg (Dennis Perri) and Kate’s (Cheryl Turnbough) marriage.
The couple has just moved back to the city from the suburbs, Their lives have entered a new phase. Greg finds Sylvia ( Soey Mahjourr), a dog played by a human, and brings her home. Sarah Jessica Parker, of Sex and the City fame, made the role a hit on Broadway. The otherwise loving Kate, who has recently become a teacher, feels that she went through her dog period when the children were young. She does not want any more pets. Greg is adjusting to his new circumstances and doesn't know where to turn. He needs Sylvia. They decide that Sylvia will stay for a few days before they decide whether she can stay longer, but Greg and Sylvia have already bonded.

Greg starts spending more time with Sylvia and less time at his job. Greg and Sylvia go on long walks. They discuss life and astronomy. Sylvia admits she sometimes has no real contribution to make on certain subjects . Since he was dissatisfied with his job, Greg is happy to have a reason to avoid work. The witty dialogue and interaction between Greg and Sylvia will really strike a note of reognition with all dog lovers, who know they are smarter than we are.

Kate does not like Sylvia, referring to her as Saliva rather than Sylvia. Greg becomes completely obsessed with Sylvia. Kate fears their marriage is falling apart and she and Sylvia are at war. Into the plot comes a strange character, Tom (Dennis Ashley), whom Greg meets at the dog park and who gives Greg advice on how to manage Sylvia and his predicament with Kate. Following his advice Greg has Sylvia spayed. Sylvia is angry and in pain, but she still loves him completely.

Phyllis (Dennis Ashley), an old Vassar classmate of Kate's visits. Her visit offers Sylvia an opportunity to show how annoying she can be to Kate and also show really obsessed with her Greg is. Her witty comments about New York City are right on target.

Greg and Kate visit a therapist, Leslie (Dennis Ashley), who after a session with Greg, tells Kate to get a gun and shoot Sylvia. This is a hilarious situation with the androgynous counselor obviously needing more help than his/her client.

Kate gets an offer of a job teaching in London and tells Greg that the English have a six-month quarantine for any dogs coming into the country. What will Greg and Kate do? What will become of Sylvia? The audience wants to know. They are kept laughing while being kept in suspense. This play is charming and funny and Gurney has come up with an ending that is more satifactory than many people find in their real lives.

Sylivia, Greg and Kate sing a moving Cole Porter song that adds a really beautiful moment to the play. Miraculouly, they can along sing as well as they can act.

This is Sarah Bartlett-Pierce’s first time directing and she has done a fantastic job of casting. Dennis Perri is confused and vunerable and wins the audience’s sympathy, Cheryl Turnbough is the together, talented and very loving wife. Cheryl played this part fifteen years ago on this same stage. It would have been impossible for her to have done a better job. Two newcomers are both super talented additions to the Birdcare company. Soey Mahjour is a perfect dog. Her energy and enthuiasm are contagious. Her comic timing is precise. She is an English Springer Spaniel at heart. Dennis Ashley plays three parts. One man, friend Tom from the dog park, and one women, friend Phyllis from Vasaar and one undecided therapist Leslie. He is wonderful in each role and makes you laugh and wonder.

Sarah Bartlett Pierce and Dennis Perri’s set design easily embraces not only Greg and Kate's apartment, but also various locations in Central Park, on the West Side and even an airport. It is really attractive.

Sylvia is being performed at the Birdcage Theatre from January 20 – February 5, 2012. The North West Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals will have a booth in the lobby accepting donations during the performances.  Showtime is 7:30pm on Friday and Saturday nights; 2:00pm for Sunday matinees.  Adults are $15.00 and pre-teens are $7.00.  The Birdcage Theatre is located at 1740 Bird Street. Tickets are available in advance at Bartlett’s Hearing Aid Center, 2450 Oro Dam Blvd, Suite C and at Betty Jean’s, 1920 Bird Street.