Berkshire on Stage

A.R. Gurney was a prolific playwright whose major works focused on the American upper class. Love Letters (a Pulitzer Prize nominee,) The Dining Room, and The Cocktail Hour are among his most memorable.  One of his most popular plays, Sylvia,  a comic romp, is the current offering at Sharon Playhouse, Sharon, Connecticut.

Sylvia, a stray dog, played by the energetic and lovable Jen Cody, charms the middle-aged Greg (Jonathan Walker) who brings her home to the apartment he shares with his wife Kate (Jennifer Van Dyck.)  Kate is not happy as Sylvia usurps her place in Greg’s heart and life bringing chaos and pain into the marriage.  But Greg and Sylvia are interdependent believing that Kate will soon join them in their happiness.  There is a series of misadventures that exacerbates Kate’s attitude toward Sylvia leading to even greater strains in the marriage.  Greg is unhappy in his job, an officer in a major financial institution, and ultimately resigns to spend more time with Sylvia much to Kate’s chagrin which only adds to her negative feelings toward Sylvia.  

There are some wonderfully comic scenes with Kate’s long-time college friend Phyllis (Sienna Brann) and Sylvia that intensifies Kate’s conflicts with both Greg and the dog.  Another madcap moment occurs when Greg meets with a psychiatrist (again, Sienna Brann) that further cements Kate’s feelings of disgust and jealousy.  Greg often takes Sylvia to a dog park where she becomes entranced by Tom’s (once again, Sienna Brann) dog Bowser.  Tom advises Greg on how to handle Sylvia, but she has a mind of her own, and  things don’t always work out the way Greg expects.

Aside from the many hilarious scenes, there is a serious underpinning to the play.  The story examines the intimacy of human-animal relationships, the intricacies of friendship and marriage as well as the pitfalls of aging.  Even more profoundly, it challenges us to examine the purposes of one’s life.

The performances are what make the play work.  Cody is an absolutely adorable treat who propels the action with robust vitality.  One almost believes she is actually a dog when she darts around the apartment living room, cuddles up with Greg, looks disdainfully at Kate,  or lusts after Bowser.  Her line deliveries are sharp and telling.  This is an acting experience to be treasured.

Walker is humorous and loving when he speaks about both Sylvia and Kate.  His frustrations and anxiety are real as he elicits the audience’s sympathy while he wends his way through the complexities of his life.  His timing is tight and rampant with pregnant pauses.   Van Dyck also touches the audience with her fears amidst her attempts to normalize her marriage.  It is a thoughtful and strong performance.  Sierra Brann’s three characters are very distinct.  Bowser’s mom, Kate’s college friend and the psychiatrist evince very different personalities through Brann’s deft and sometimes zany portrayal.

Colin Hanlon has directed the play with a sure hand.  There is no wasted movement as the pace of the show starts high and never lets up.  The stage pictures, especially those scenes involving Cody, are either comedic or touching or both. The audience is fully involved in the story line from the outset.

Christopher and Justin Swader have designed a multi-use set whose background of towering Manhattan skyscrapers dwarf the apartment living room creating a feeling of claustrophobia.  The large coffee table serves as a park bench and other sites.  It is a very clever set complemented by Wheeler Moon’s luminous lighting design.  Kathleen DeAngelis’s costumes define the characters. Especially clever are Sylvia’s myriad outfits that add to the dog’s broad range of attitudes.

Sharon Playhouse’s Sylvia is a highlight of the summer theatre season.

Note:  Parental Discretion -Though the play is about a vivacious, extremely funny dog, there is language that may not be appropriate for children.

Sylvia by A. R. Gurney; Directed by: Colin Hanlon; Cast: Jen Cody (Sylvia) Jonathan Walker (Greg) Jennifer Van Dyck (Kate) Sienna Brann (Tom, Phyllis, Leslie); Scene Design: Christopher Swader and Justin Swader; Costume Design: Kathleen DeAngelis; Lighting Designer: Wheeler Moons; Sound Design: Graham Stone; Wig and Makeup Design: Bobbie Slotnik; Production Stage Manager: Christine Schlacter; Production Manager: Caroline Lapinski; Running Time: two hours with one intermission; August 29 to September 7, 2025;  For tickets: Phone: 860.364.7469 (ext. 200 & 201); email: boxoffice@sharonplayhouse.org