Sylvia
Vermont Stage, FlynnSpace, Burlington VT
Wednesday, October 16 through Sunday, October 27, 2002

SYLVIA, written by A. R. Gurney, is a very funny play that also has some perceptive insights into both canine and human relationships. It's the story of Kate and Greg trying to find their feet in the empty-nest stage of life. As one character says, "These are the dangerous years. The ones between the first hint of retirement and the first whiff of the nursing home." Into their lives comes Sylvia, a bouncy stray dog Greg has found in the park, whose disruptions eventually force Kate and Greg to re-examine their lives and their marriage.

Jeff Modereger has designed a wonderfully flexible set with just a few pieces of Frank Lloyd Wright-ish furniture that can be used in multiple configurations. Also of course, with a dog, there's the obligatory couch. Two black-clad young ladies do a slick and entertaining job of dancing their way through the set changes.

Hallie Zieselman has designed effective lighting that helps delineate the various locations. Jenny Chappelle Fulton's costumes are terrific, especially that for Sylvia's first appearance and those for John D. Alexander.

Mr. Alexander has great fun with multiple roles; Greg's dog-loving pal Tom, Kate's Junior League friend Phyllis and Leslie, their androgynous therapist. He's a genuinely funny actor with great timing and reactions. The three roles border on caricature, but he never steps over the line. As Phyllis he has one of my favorite lines. "I think all men should be Republicans. It seems to be good for their prostate."

Betsy Jessie does a nice job with Kate. In a role that could easily become a stereotypical whiner, she remains a sympathetic character and really blossoms in the second act.

Stephen Bradbury plays Greg who, as he says, "…needs to feel more connected to living." In Act I Mr. Bradbury plays Greg pretty much on one level and the character begins to seem unreasonable and unsympathetic. In Act II we see more depth in Greg.

Now to Sylvia - Kathryn Blume is just about perfect in the role. Her energy and naivete are wonderful. She draws a clean line between Sylvia's understanding of commands and boredom with philosophy. Not only is her attack on the kitty hilarious, but her serious scenes hold the audience in hushed attention.

Director Stephen Golux has done an excellent job of staging in the FlynnSpace's tiny playing area. His choices of pre-show and scene change music work very well, as does the touching "Every Time We Say Goodbye" scene. He's found not just the humor but the meat of the play. SYLVIA provides a very entertaining evening out. As Gurney writes, "A man and his dog is a sacred relationship."

On a scale of one to five, the Vermont Stage production of SYLVIA gets four and a half ferryboats. For North Country Public Radio, I'm Connie Meng.