But I can love you like nobody can, even better

A.R. Gurney is well-known for his plays The Dining Room, Love Letters, and The Dinner Party. His comedy Sylvia opened off-Broadway in 1995. The story of an unusual romantic triangle between a man, his wife, and their female dog, Sylvia, was immediately hailed as “a delightful fantasy,” and “delicious and dizzy.”

The Valley Theatre’s inaugural production, directed by Larry Adams, certainly fetches that description.

When Greg brings Sylvia into the couple’s empty-nested apartment, his wife Kate objects to the idea. The needy pet gains a rather strong hold on Greg’s heartstrings, and he loses interest in his already troublesome job. As Sylvia challenges Kate for his affections, Kate worries about the changes in her husband and seeks an answer from friends and professionals.

Four friends, Mason and Andrea Odle, Amber Shatto, and JB Scoble, fill the roles of the play. Not surprisingly, the Odles are very comfortable as the couple. They easily play off each other and provide the comic conflict for the storyline. Mr. Odle is extremely expressive throughout. Ms. Odle finds the proper frustrations in Kate’s problems.

Ms. Shatto is marvelously lively and cute as the title character. Her Sylvia is a playful, opinionated, lusty doggy. The fact that Sylvia can talk to Greg and Kate never seems odd – she just can, which is Gurney’s genius at work.

JB Scoble nearly steals the show – okay, not nearly – most definitely steals it with his three stage personae. His guy in the park, Tom, is a New Yorker full of apt bookish advice for Greg’s situation. His turn as Kate’s high society friend Phyllis is riotously funny. And his genderless therapist Leslie is truly something you don’t want to miss.

Greg (Mason Odle) plays with his new dog Sylvia (Amber Shatto) in a scene from Sylvia. (Photo by Rob Slaven / IndyGhostLight.com)

These players all work together to bring an at times hilarious, at times thoughtful, and at times touching and sweet story to life. Gurney’s script is full of reflections on, in his words “the need to connect in an increasingly alien and impersonal world.” That idea is much accomplished here.

The show is not without need of some adjustment, in my humble opinion. It runs to nearly two and a half hours – with intermission. That is curable with a bit more attention by director Adams to pace and tempo. There are many moments of languishing dialogue – full of long pauses where cues could be picked up more quickly. That one correction alone would make the action more realistic – though talking with a dog is hardly that, I know.

Bottom line: It is a lot of fun for me seeing four friends of mine putting on a show directed by another very good friend. Fun to laugh at their antics and fun to see the enjoyment they all get from doing community theatre together. Their hard work has paid off in this show as was shown by the well-earned standing ovation they received. Go see it!

Sylvia continues at The Cat in Carmel through April 21. Tickets can be purchased at this link.