From Register Staff
Dreamweavers explores the wonderful world of humans and dogs in its new play "Sylvia," which opens this weekend.
A.R. Gurney looks at what happens when a dog enters the life of a middle-aged couple, Kate and Greg. The city dwellers are adjusting to life after children. Kate's career as an academic is taking off, while Greg is being transferred to ever more meaningless and unsatisfying work. On a walk in the park, Greg finds an poodle mix with a tag indicating her name is Sylvia. Perhaps she finds him. He brings her home, fleas and all.
The result is a hilarious commentary on mid-life angst, and the role pets play in our lives as the street-smart Sylvia becomes a major bone of contention between this husband and wife. The unconditional love of a dog offers Greg an escape from the frustrations of his job and the unknowns of middle age. To Kate, Sylvia becomes a rival for affection.
Sylvia thinks Kate just doesn't understand the time-honored relationship between man and dog.
The marriage is put in serious jeopardy until, after a series of hilarious and touching complications, Greg and Kate learn to compromise, and Sylvia becomes a valued part of their lives.
A.R. Gurney is one of the most prolific and produced playwrights in the U.S. His work, which focuses on the issues and realities of middle-class American life, has been produced on international theater stages for more than 40 years. After receiving a bachelor of arts degree in 1952, Gurney joined the United States Navy during the Korean War, writing shows to entertain the military personnel. Following his discharge in 1955, he enrolled in the Yale School of Drama, where he received his master's degree in playwriting. Later he joined the faculty at Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge where he taught until 1996.
In 1958, Gurney wrote "Love in Buffalo," the fist musical ever produced at Yale. His breakthrough success came in 1982 with "The Dining Room." In addition to "The Cocktail Hour," other award winning plays include "The Perfect Party," "Another Antigone," "Love Letters," "A Cheever Evening" and "Ancestral Voices."
Gurney is the recipient of many awards, notably a Drama Desk Award in 1971, a Rockefeller Award in 1977 and two Lucille Lortel Awards in 1989 and 1994.
"Sylvia" was originally produced by the Manhattan Theatre Club in New York City on May 2, 1995, starring Sarah Jessica Parker in the title role. It was the most produced play of the 1996-1997 season.
Dreamweavers' production, directed by Carla Poggemeyer, stars Krisi Pilkington as Sylvia, Dan Monez as Greg and Debbie Baughman as Kate. Also in the case are Robert Silva, Rose Marie Sweeney, Jessica MacMillan and Mark Mautner.
Show dates are June 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26 and July 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m.
Tickets are $18 general/$15 students and seniors. For reservations, call 255-LIVE (5483).
From the Napa Register's website - © 2003, Pulitzer Newspapers, Inc.
