BARKING UP THE RIGHT TREE WITH A. R. GURNEY’S “SYLVIA” AT THE EDGEMAR THEATRE CENTER
At The Theatre with Audrey Linden
Tanna Frederick shines in A. R. Gurney’s “Sylvia” at the Edgemar Theatre Center for the Arts in Santa Monica. This play is the perfect vehicle for the very talented and versatile Frederick. She has a lot of fun in the role and we have a lot of fun watching her cavort around.
I last saw Frederick in Henry Jaglom’s “Just 45 Minutes from Broadway.” She surpasses that wonderful performance. And, once again, she is teamed up with talented director Gary Imhoff who moves this play along energetically and seamlessly. There are no dull moments and the scenes flow effortlessly into one another.
Joel Daavid’s upscale Manhattan set with its comfy couch set, chair, hassock, table, bookcases, kitchen area and staircase provided a realistic environment for this story to enfold.
Gurney explores relationship issues between a husband, Greg and his wife, Kate as their marriage is threatened by Sylvia. A ménage a trios? Not quite. Greg found Sylvia in the park. Greg is in phase one of a mid-life crisis when he encounters the lost Sylvia in the park. Sylvia is smitten by his attention and thinks he is God. She jumps on him and is ready to lick his face. And, Greg needs the unconditional love and instant unflagging devotion which he is not getting it in his marriage. He brings Sylvia home to Kate.
Kate, an empty nester, is beginning a new career and is a busy woman. And, Kate is not happy with the new addition to the family. Oh, did I tell you Sylvia is a dog? Yes, she is a mutt with a bit of lab and poodle mix in her. Kate declares, “The dog phase of my life is over.” Kate is on a career ladder to become a professor of Shakespeare in inner city schools. She is on her way up and Greg is on his way down. He is dissatisfied with his job. He plays hooky from his job to take Sylvia on long walks as they explore Manhattan together.
Randy Newman’s song, “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” aptly describes the opening of Act One and the beginning of a budding relationship between Greg and Sylvia. Greg is Sylvia’s knight in shining armor.
And Sylvia is the devoted confidant, though she sometimes does not understand anything Greg says.
Tanna Frederick totally embraces this role and has such “doggone” fun in bringing Sylvia to life. It is infectious. Sylvia goes from being a dog in a drab beige outfit to a trendy with-it dog in a fluffy ballet skirt with sparkling jeweled collars and leashes to match. Greg exclaims after she has been to the groomer, “Fucking gorgeous.”
I loved the scene in which Sylvia comes into heat and has an assignation with Bowser. Frederick’s Sylvia shakes and gyrates expressively as Greg gets jealous. Tom Ayers, Tom tells Greg he must get Sylvia fixed. You know, neutered. That was another funny scene in which Sylvia comes home from her operation. We get to see and hear how the dog feels about this assault to her body and womanhood.
“Women suffer the consequences of male aggression.”
Meanwhile Kate feels neglected. Greg orders her to “sit.” That did not go over well. Cathy Arden had the task of bringing a semblance of reality to this absurd comedy. Arden held her own beautifully as the neglected wife. There is a chasm of distance between Kate and Greg. “They’re Writing Songs of Love but Not for Me.” That is what her life is becoming. Can she come between Greg and Sylvia?
There was a beautifully moving scene at the airport in which the characters sing,” Every Time We Say Good-bye, I Die A Little” and we see the shift as Sylvia takes her place as number 1 in Greg’s life. Greg’s wife goes on a trip and Greg misses Sylvia more than his own wife.
Tom Ayers does a great job as Tom, the Jersey guy who owns Bowser, and gives Greg the facts of dog life. He is smashingly funny as Kate’s college friend Phyllis. He did wobble in his high heels. Kate laments to Phyllis that Sylvia drinks from the toilet and wants to sleep on the bed and she feels her marriage is being destroyed by this cunning canine. It was hysterically funny to see Sylvia bury her nose in Phyllis’ crotch. Phyllis tells Kate she must give Greg an ultimatum. “It’s Sylvia or me.”
Greg suffers as he must make the choice. Stephen Howard, to his credit plays it straight and is utterly convincing as Greg, a man in the throes of a mid-life crisis who finds new meaning through a canine called Sylvia. It is a “boy and his dog.” The bond is inseparable. The ending is totally satisfactory and brought tears to my eyes. “Sylvia” was a thoroughly entertaining and memorable evening of theatre at its best. The casting was right on, the acting a ten and Gary Imhoff’s direction was perfect.
“Sylvia” runs through July 10that The Edgemar Center for The Arts on the Main Stage at 2437 Main St. Santa Monica 90405. For tickets and show times call 310-392-7327.
Audrey Linden is a writer, actress, and singer. She can be seen in a long-running “Associated Tax Resolution” commercial, two “Little Caesar’s” spots, a “Teva International Pharmaceutical” short, Gene Simmons’ “Family Jewels,” “America’s Court With Judge Ross,” “Tough Love 2,” and she just did a promo for French television. Audrey teaches Improv and On Camera Commercial workshops at Beverly Hills Adult School. For her classes, go on line to www.bhas.bhusd.org
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