Synopsis
Sylvia is a playful, sophisticated and occasionally gritty comedy about relationships, nature, growing older and the need for connection in an ever changing world.
Greg is a man of middle age, a restless empty-nester, tired of his job in finance, looking for meaning in his life. Sylvia is an exuberant and beautiful lab/poodle mix, astray in Central Park, looking for a new home. When they meet, it is love at first sight. But his wife Kate, a busy rising star in the public school system, is looking forward to some independence now that the couple no longer has children to care for, and is less than thrilled by the clever and coquettish canine who jumps, slobbers, sits on her couch, and takes Greg’s attention away from his marriage. Wandering the streets of Manhattan with Sylvia by his side, Greg feels like he has connected to a deeper, primal, more natural side of the world. Sylvia supports these poetic musings, but can rarely focus on them for long, being more interested in flipping off the neighbourhood cat, or flirting with Bowser at the dog park. Sylvia exerts such a charismatic pull that Kate’s friends are appalled, the marriage counsellor advocates divorce and euthanasia, and even Greg’s new dog-owner friend warns him of the splintering effect a dog can have on the relationship between husband and wife. It is only when Greg is prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice that Kate is able to see Sylvia not as a threat, but as a new member of her family.
Sylvia – Stage age: Any age, however must be comfortable being on knees a lot (knee pads will be provided to successful actor) A somewhat scruffy stray dog who finds shelter with Greg who admires her and finally sneaks into Kate's heart even though she has not behaved in an exemplary manner before.
Greg – Stage age: 40-50 A middle-aged empty nester who is unhappy with his current situation and experiences a midlife crisis. He finds the dog Sylvia in the park who makes him feel important and loved again. He likes Sylvia so much that he becomes a little too obsessed with her.
Kate – Stage age: 40-50 Greg’s wife and a very successful and ambitious teacher. Being afraid that the dog might disrupt her new found freedom after her kids grew up and she and her husband moved back into the city, she objects strongly against keeping Sylvia. Later on, she even feels replaced by the dog in her marriage. To be played by 1 person (male or female) – Stage age: 30+
Phyllis - A good friend of Kate’s who thinks that Sylvia is very intrusive and even leaves the house to escape from the dog.
Tom - Owner of the golden retriever called Bowser. He gives Greg advice on how to handle a dog and tells him about the meaning of dog names.
Leslie - A therapist who, depending on her clients, is perceived as either male or female. She advises Kate to divorce Greg and to kill Sylvia.
