Review: SYLVIA stands out, speaks up, tickles our funny bone, and touches our heart at OnStage in Bedford

Sylvia

By: A.R. Gurney 
Directed by: Keith J. Warren 
Produced by: Onstage Bedford

Audience Rating: R (explicit language) 
Running Time: two hours with one 15-minute intermission
Accessible Seating: Available 
Hearing Devices: Not Available 
Sensory Friendly Showing: Not Available
ASL Showing: Not Available 
Sound Level: Comfortable 
Audio/Visuals To Prepare For: None of note

Reviewed by Dan C. Rogers 

Director Keith J. Warren has crafted a charming, funny, sweet, hilarious, and poignant  production of Sylvia by A.R. Gurney at Onstage Bedford. Bouncing and energetically  portrayed by Lauren Kirkpatrick, this dog is witty, manipulative, carefree and  boisterous. Found running loose in the park by a disgruntled Greg with Ryan Inlow as  the, pardon the pun, hangdog bored mid-life crisis ridden husband to his career oriented  wife Kate (Abby Rosenthal) and the battle between one person who refers to Sylvia as ‘saliva’ and the other who often calls her ‘sweetheart’ ignites an outrageous exchange of  pent-up frustration and suppressed anxiety that has been stewing for 22 years.  

The interaction between Greg and Sylvia is chemistry at its finest. The put-upon Kate struggles to understand the ‘gene’ compelling man to sometimes treat a dog as "The Other Woman." Receiving advice from a multi-talented Kristy Johnson in three roles as the Rosie O'Donnell inspired Tom- expert in all things canine- Phyllis- emulating a very haughty Holland Taylor- and Leslie– the most spaced-out Zooey Deschanel imaginable– this ensemble coordinates the play with energy and creativity that has the audience alternately guffawing and applauding. The laugh-lines come fast and furious with subtlety and grace that is admirable. Except Sylvia. There is nothing subtle or graceful about the dog who wants on the couch so badly and has a descriptive and graphic interaction with Bowser….we never see Bowser, but we do hear about the male dog affecting the animalistic mood of Sylvia. Kirkpatrick roams the stage with the enthusiasm and energetic output of a retriever/poodle mix mutt found running loose in the park. Once Greg brings Sylvia home the anti-dog Kate and the newly invigorated Greg are at an impasse over obedience training vs career advancement.  

The functional set features a sofa where the audience sees the back rather than an open front facing piece of furniture. The stage apron is featured as a walk in the park for Sylvia and the philosophical musings of Tom. When Greg, Kate, and Sylvia begin singing about their feelings the laughter practically drowns out the dialogue. Kate often closes a scene with snippets from plays by William Shakespeare that summarize the tenor and tone of the current emotional conflict taking place. But what does Sylvia know? Her food and the couch are her primary motivations while ‘temporarily’ residing in the apartment. Lighting and sound from Katreeva Phillips and Laz Jarrell fit the mood and the situation with timing and nicely coordinated accents. From the author of Love Letters and The Cocktail Hour we enjoy a rollicking Sylvia having an ‘accident’ in the apartment and reluctantly participating in a treat inspired ‘roll over.

This play is fun! Go enjoy Sylvia at Onstage Bedford that runs through April 12th. Curtain is at 7:30 p.m. with Sunday matinees (including Easter) at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are available at www.onstageinbedford.com

DR