REVIEW: “Sylvia” is no dog, thanks to the canine lead
The first hint was probably the sign at the ticket window indicating the play contained language that might be offensive to some audience members, “though it is essential to develop the characters and set the theme of the work.” The next clue was when the lead character was on all fours and did a lot of panting and, well, barking.
This is not run-of-the-mill fare for the Old Lyric Repertory Company. But though “Sylvia” did examine man-beast and man-woman relationships from a canine’s perspective, the production was no dog.
Playwright A. R. Gurney takes the concept of people talking to their dogs — and then wondering if their dogs are understanding any of it — and mixes it humorously and almost poignantly with a real life scenario. Gurney’s real life situation is the midlife crisis of a couple that is learning to live with being “empty nesters.” These New Yorkers are at a crossroads and a stray dog shows up at just the right, or wrong, time. An unfocused husband who hates his job and most of his life begins talking more to the dog — that would be Sylvia –than he talks to his wife of 22 years. He certainly plays with Sylvia more, and soon this relationship between dog and dog lover becomes a bone of contention.
With subtle staging and language, Sylvia might be thought of as more than just a pet, perhaps becoming The Other Woman in a middle-aged man’s life. Should long walks in the park be considered an affair, or is that just an overprotective wife’s fears?
Keep in mind, though, that the dog is played by an actress that is anything but. “Sylvia” will be a Westminster Kennel award winner or in the pound depending on the ability of the lead character to pull off puppy-like antics. Whether she learned the technique in obedience school or at one of her many stops in regional theaters, Amy Tribbey succeeds remarkably. An Equity artist vising the OLRC for the first time, Tribbey manages to never go over the top — as would be easy for some to do — but uses her face, her movements, her voice to delightfully mimic a happy puppy. This special dog can talk and she never strays from her East Coast accent, her new master describing her not as a mixed breed, but as “multicultural.” Through slight and thoughtful changes in costuming and by her body language, Tribbey is easy to follow as the star of the show.
William Grey Warren plays Greg, the husband who is finding his affection being dominated by Sylvia. Warren has a wonderful voice and is easily heard throughout the Caine Lyric Theater and shows the perfect confusing mixture of wonderlust and dog lover. For much of the production, audience members never quite know if Greg is going over the edge.
Wife Kate is played by Susan Dolan, also a visiting Equity artist. Dolan is totally swallowed up by Sylvia and Greg for much of the first act, overwhelmed by the novelty of the lead character on all fours. She finally catches her stride and finds the audience in the closing moments of the first act, going nose to nose with Sylvia, accusing this interloper of breaking up her marriage.
Old Lyric veteran W. Lee Daily rounds out the small cast, playing three parts, one of each sex. Yes, as Kate’s therapist Leslie, Daily purposely leaves it up to his clients, and the audience, to decide for themselves what gender he might be. He also plays a female college friend of Kate’s and a pop culture philosopher who shares a park bench with Greg, warning the husband in advance to not think of dogs as people. But the audience is unable to heed the warning.
The resolution of “Sylvia” is less than satisfying and feels contrived. The angst of the marriage only has its surface scratched. But the performance of Tribbey gives Old Lyric patrons paws, er, ah, pause to appreciate a performance that is far from run-of-the-mill.
“Sylvia” continues in repertory with four other productions at the Caine Lyric Theatre, 28 W. Center Street in downtown Logan until Aug. 9. Ticket information and dates can be found at the USU Ticket Office, (435) 797-0305.