Sylvia by A. R. Gurney is about Greg, a burnt-out baby-boomer who has hit the dreaded mid-life crisis. Instead of choosing the stereotypical path of having an affair or buying a sports car, Greg tries to feel young again by adopting a stray dog, a mutt named Sylvia. Greg is happy. The dog is happy. But Greg's wife is most unhappy. She wants to travel, she wants to celebrate her newly emptied nest, and she absolutely does not the responsibility that a dog brings.
If this sounds like a rather mundane storyline, you aren't completely off. The premise is only mildly interesting, but the playwright had a captivating idea for the dog character (originally played by Sarah Jessica Parker). Sylvia the dog talks. And some of the characters, such as Greg and his wife, seem to understand Sylvia and talk back. The result is a play that provides several very funny moments, a few heartfelt scenes, and an insightful look at the complex relationship between dogs and their human companions.
Last month, the Seattle Repertory Theatre presented Sylvia, and they had a special performance for humans and their canine companions. I wonder howl it went. (Pun intended. Forgive me.)
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