Sylvia by A.R. Gurney

The Story

Greg and Kate have traded suburban life for Manhattan after 22 years of raising kids. Greg's trading career is fading; Kate's English-teaching career is finally taking off. When Greg brings home a stray — a street-smart Lab-poodle mix named Sylvia — the dog becomes an instant bone of contention. For Greg, she's an escape from middle-age uncertainty. For Kate, she's a problem. Through a series of hilarious and touching complications, the couple learns to compromise, and Sylvia earns her place in the family.

The twist: Sylvia is played by a woman — opening the door to inventive staging and an unforgettable performance.

The Players

NOTE:  The script calls for six roles. Three of the roles (Tom, Phyllis, and Leslie) may be played by one, two, or three actors.

Greg: Male, late 40s – 60s. A middle-aged man at a crossroads, dissatisfied with his job and seeking purpose. He connects deeply with Sylvia, forming a bond that challenges his relationship with Kate. Greg needs a mix of sincerity and humor to capture his midlife restlessness and warmth.

Kate: Female, late 40s – 60s. Greg’s wife, an intelligent, ambitious woman who struggles with Sylvia’s intrusion into her life. As a teacher with a passion for Shakespeare, Kate values structure and stability, making her skeptical of Greg's attachment to Sylvia. Strong comedic skills are needed to portray her exasperation and gradual transformation.

Sylvia: Female, 20s – 30s. A spirited, engaging, and quirky woman who embodies the role of a dog, an adorable mix suspected of being labrador and poodle, with a human-like personality. Sylvia meets a kind man named Greg while wandering, lost, in Central Park. Their bond is instantaneous, and Sylvia flourishes as the spoiled pet of Greg’s. Energetic and lovable, Sylvia requires physicality and expressiveness to capture the dog’s playful nature and emotional depth. Seeking an actor comfortable with comedic timing and physicality. Actors auditioning for Sylvia should move while reading the script and may bring knee pads, if desired.  

Tom: Male, 30s – 40s. Tom is a friendly man who enjoys taking his dog Bowser to play in Central Park. He makes friends with Greg, a new dog owner, and advises him on the difficulties that the dog/man relationship can have for a marriage. Tom is friendly and cheerful.

Phyllis: Female, 40s – 60s. Phyllis may be played by an actor of any gender. Phyllis is a socialite, a wealthy New York City matron. Phyllis is Kate's snobby friend, uncomfortable with Greg’s life choices and humorous in her disapproval. Phyllis is a stylish, sophisticated lady who lunches, a politically conservative member of the upper class.

Leslie: 30s – 60s. Leslie may be played by an actor of any gender. Leslie is a gender-neutral therapist, a marriage counselor, living and working in New York City, ambiguous in approach and sometimes quirky, helping Greg and Kate see their issues from a unique perspective.

Audition Information

·       Auditions will consist of readings from the script.

·      Actors auditioning for Greg, Kate, and Sylvia will also be asked to sing up to 32 bars (about 1 minute) of a song of their choice, a cappella or with music on their phone.

·      Bring a completed audition form and conflict calendar

·      Headshots and resumes are welcome but not required. We will take a photo of you upon your arrival.

Important Dates

·      Auditions will be held at the Old Wendell Town Hall, 15 E Fourth Street, Wendell

Saturday, July 18, from 1-3 p.m., and Sunday, July 19,  3 – 5 p.m.

·      Callbacks are scheduled Wednesday, July 22, from 7 – 9 p.m.

·      Read Through & Kick-off: Monday, July 27, at 7 p.m.

·      Rehearsals (Subject to change): Mondays – Wednesdays and Saturdays, July 27 – Sept. 12

·      Tech Week: Sept. 13 – Sept. 17

·      Performances weekends: Friday Saturday  Sept. 18-19 at 7 p.m., Sunday Sept. 20 at 2 p.m.; Friday Saturday Sept. 25 & 26 at 7 p.m., Sunday Sept. 27 at 2 p.m.