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When Actor's Theatre of Phoenix' advertisements for Sylvia tell of a different kind of love story, they aren't kidding. How many theatrical triangle relationships involve a wife, a husband, and the dog that comes between them? A.R. Gurney, known for his upper middle class parlor dramas The Dining Room, The Cocktail Hour, and his long-running reader's theatre piece Love Letters, has created an interesting concept that any animal lover can appreciate.
Greg and Kate are a typical Upper East Side of Manhattan kinda couple. They've finally sent the last of their brood off to college, and have moved from the 'burbs back into the City to enjoy their years before retirement alone and in style. Kate has headed back into the workforce, devising her ambitious Shakespeare curriculums for Harlem junior high students. Greg, though, is having troubles at work, where his job description is changing in ways that he doesn't appreciate. The potential solution to the problem jumps into his lap in the form of the loving and hyperactive lab and poodle mix named Sylvia. Greg forms an unusual bond to the mutt, and soon work problems are followed by marriage problems as Sylvia and Kate vie for Greg's affections.
Director Beverly Smith-Dawson does a wonderful job when dealing with the hyperactive Sylvia, but seems to have gone in odd directions with the human couple in the play. Part of the problem with this generally funny show is textual, since we never see a balanced Greg before we see him sinking and rising in the morass of dog-ownership. Part of the problem, though, is Ms. Smith-Dawson and actor Jared Sakren's interpretation of this mid-life crisis victim. Mr. Sakren plays the character a tad over-the-top, even compared to the broad-stroked characterizations of his fellow performers. This is an unconventional romantic comedy, but Greg descends so quickly into his love for Sylvia, his character spends more time being loopy than lovable.
This is balanced by the more even-handed performance of Heidi Ewert as the jealous Kate, and the perfectly and hilariously over-the-top performance by Christie Klein. Ms. Ewert has the unenviable job of being the voice of reason in this topsy-turvy world, and she manages to balance her attempts to remain rational while finding herself drawn into these odd battles all throughout. R. Trujillo also does well in the three supporting roles, each more odd and enjoyable than the last.
Of course, the show begins and ends with the antics of a dog-made-human, and Ms. Klein's performance is what makes it work. The clever use of conversation between Sylvia and the humans is well-handled, and Ms. Klein manages to add levels to a canine character that barrels forward at breakneck speed. She manages to capture the exuberance of puppy love, and works well when cattily dealing with her nemesis, Kate.
Visually, the show resonated with a modern Manhattan feel. Scenic Designer Jeff Thomson has created a posh apartment and other interiors and exteriors that retains some of the minimalism that are a trademark of Actors Theatre of Phoenix, while not erring on the side of techno. Paul Black's Lighting was also well-done, as was Jeff Ladman's sound design. While Susan Johnson-Hood's Costumes were effective for most of the cast, they seemed inappropriate for Greg at the beginning, who never came across believably as a disgruntled corporate-type about to convert to a neo-agrarian.
One warning: though this show seems appropriate for children, there are moments where Sylvia launches into off-colored tirades about cats and other doggie-dislikes that are so foul-mouthedly shocking as to possibly offend parents and youngsters alike. Admittedly, they are appropriate for character...
Sylvia is a clever show that can tug at the heartstrings of any pet owner, and there will be many in the audience who will find themselves laughing at situations that may have occurred within their own houses and families. Christie Klein's performance is the brightest point of this amiable show, and confirmed dog-lovers should put this on the top of their list.
Production Details:
Sylvia by A.R. Gurney
Actor's Theatre of Phoenix
Herberger Theatre, Phoenix
May 1-May 17, 1998
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