Little Theatre's 'Sylvia' Is Naughty Dog

By Linda Busetti
HERALD Staff Writer
(From the issue of 6/20/02)

The audience howled at Little Theatre of Alexandria’s production of "Sylvia," A.R. Gurney’s comedy about a big, affectionate dog, who comes between a husband and wife.

But, as the program warns, Sylvia "ain’t Snoopy" and "some language may be suitable only for mature audiences." In other words, this dog Sylvia speaks, but, instead of barking for treats, she sometimes expresses herself in rather bad doggie language.

Veteran director C. Evans Kirk says audiences "might be shocked to find out what goes on in a pet’s mind."

Too bad Gurney’s Sylvia wasn’t better trained. Amy Miharu Hough, in the title role, with long flowing dark hair and loving looks at her "master" Greg (Jeff Boyce), easily has you believing she is the big, lost dog he found in a park. Greg, who is experiencing a mid-life crisis, is overwhelmed by this creature of nature that loves him unconditionally and only aims to please him. His wife Kate (Charlotte Akin), an inner-city teacher of Shakespeare, immediately feels threatened by the other female in their New York City apartment. The rivals face off, literally nose to snout at one point, for Greg’s attention.

The rivalry comes to a hilarious head as Greg and Kate part at the airport with Sylvia in the background singing a soulful, "Every Time We Say Goodbye."

Boyce, with gray hair and dressed in business casual, is every part the confused middle-aged "boomer" searching for something "real" in his life. Akin gives a strong performance as the loving wife, who will only be pushed so far before she takes a stand that Sylvia has to go.

Anyone with a dog will identify with the bond between Sylvia and her owner, although Greg ultimately carries it to the extreme. This brings Kate and Greg to the office of Leslie (Glen Hochkeppel), a neutral-gender psychiatrist. Leslie has a traumatic run-in with Sylvia, who has recently become acquainted with a male dog, Bowser, in the park.

Hochkeppel rounds out the cast by playing three roles: Bowser’s owner Tom, who Greg meets on a park bench; Kate’s friend Phyllis; and Leslie. Hochkeppel, in high heels, with his over-the-top portrayal of Phyllis moaning about her own husband Hamilton’s attachment to pet goldfish, brings to mind Dustin Hoffman’s "Tootsie."

In program notes, Kirk says Gurney’s plays "challenge the imagination" as he takes a normal situation and "then he spins it into magic."

"Sylvia" is Little Theatre of Alexandria’s last production of the season. Performances run through June 29 at 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 3 p.m. on Sunday. For tickets call 703/683-0496 or visit LTA’s Web site at www.thelittletheatre.com. Little Theatre of Alexandria is located at 600 Wolfe St. in Old Town Alexandria.

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