THEATRE + COMEDY

Country Playhouse, voted through Houston Community Newspapers as Best Community Theatre of 2010,  presents Sylvia, by A.R. Gurney, on the Cerwinske Stage, running September 17 through October 2.

Greg and Kate have moved to Manhattan after twenty-two years of child-raising in the suburbs. Greg's career as a financial trader is winding down while Kate's career, as a public-school English teacher, is beginning to offer her more opportunities. Greg brings home a dog he found in the park—or that has found him—bearing only the name "Sylvia" on her tag.

A street-smart mixture of Lab and Poodle, Sylvia becomes a major bone of contention between husband and wife. She offers Greg an escape from the frustrations of his job and the unknowns of middle age. To Kate, she becomes a rival for affection. And Sylvia thinks Kate just doesn't understand the relationship between a man and his dog!

Directed by Jim Tommaney.

"Dramatic literature is stuffed with memorable love scenes, but none is as immediately delicious and dizzy as the one that begins the redeeming affair in A.R. Gurney's new comedy, SYLVIA…" —New York Times.

"I can only call it one of the most involving, beautiful, funny, touching and profound plays I have ever seen…" —New York Daily News. "Gurney's mad comedy is the most endearing good time to trot down the pike in many a moon. Howlingly funny…" —BackStage.

Pictured:  Seated (l to r): James Reed as Greg, Katie Basch as Sylvia, Ananka Kohnitz as Kate. Standing, Scott McWhirter as Phyllis, Tom, and Leslie. Copyright 2010 Lee Ray Photography.