Review of "Sylvia"

A.R. Gurney’s comedy, Sylvia, can be viewed as a simple, humorous tale of a middle-aged man adopting a stray dog and the havoc it creates for him and his wife.  The playwright, though, also sees the show "as a timely message of the need to connect in an increasingly alien and impersonal world.”  It is this connection that adds a degree of gravitas to the play, which is receiving at uneven production at The Music Theatre of Connecticut in Norwalk through February 23^rd.

 

Carole Dell'aquila, Dennis Holland and Bethany Fitzgerald in "Sylvia."  Photo by Alex Mongillo.

The plot focuses on Gary (Dennis Holland), a mild-mannered businessman, who comes upon a stray dog, Sylvia (Bethany Fitzgerald), in Central Park.  Enchanted, he brings her home to his none-too-happy wife Kate (Carole Dell’aquila).  The couple has recently moved to Manhattan as empty nesters without any obligations.  Now, much to her dismay, but to her husband’s unending pleasure, there is another household member to be concerned with—an exuberant and fairly well-behaved canine (the dog does talk and speak to the other characters)—to put a crimp in their freedom and lifestyle.  Sylvia’s presence also gives both Gary and Kate the opportunity to evaluate their lives, pursuits, and relationship.

A.R. Gurney has penned a mostly delightful tale that can be funny and doesn’t take itself too seriously.  His characters are well-defined, uncomplicated and, for the most part, likeable.  However, very shrewdly, the writer injects a note of seriousness into the show by utilizing Gary’s relationship with Sylvia as a way to riff on work disillusionment, the meaning of one’s purpose in the world, and husband and wife communication and rapport at an older age.

 

Bethany Fitzgerald as "Sylvia."  Photo by Alex Mongillo.

The four-person cast is led by Bethany Fitzgerald as the unbashful, full of energy Sylvia.  Ms. Fitzgerald is engaging, frisky and fearless in her physicality (there is a reason for her wearing knee pads).  She has the mannerisms of a canine down pat.  Director Kevin Connors gives the actress plenty of room to maneuver and brandish her acting chops.

Dennis Holland is affable, but slightly one-dimensional as Gary.  Everything—no matter what life throws at him--is always on an even keel.  The emotional depth is missing.  Likewise, Carole Dell’aquila’s Kate is somewhat unilluminating.  She does show flashes of anger and exasperation, but there could be more conviction.  Mr. Connors seems not to found the right harmony and chemistry within the two characters.

Jim Schilling and Dennis Holland in "Sylvia."  Photo by Alex Mongillo.

Jim Schilling, playing multiple roles, is flippant, sassy, and irreverent.  While his interactions with the other players vibrantly enlivens those scenes, there is too much of an imbalance, which creates an unevenness in those portions of the show.

Jessie Lizotte’s two-tiered Scenic Design is simple, but effective in its depiction of the interior of a small New York City apartment and the outskirts of Central Park.

Sylvia, an entertaining and diverting, yet toothless comedy.  Playing at The Music Theatre of Connecticut through February 23^rd.  Information is at https://www.musictheatreofct.com/sylvia