Sylvia

By A.R. Gurney

Book Overview

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 - a pup bearing the name "Sylvia" on her name 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, but to Kate, Sylvia is a rival for affection. The marriage is put in serious jeopardy until, after a series of hilarious and touching complications, Greg and Kate learn to compromise, and Sylvia becomes a valued part of their lives. The twist in this crowd-pleasing comedy is that Sylvia is played by a woman, making her rivalry with Kate for Greg's affection feel all too human. Read less -

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0822214962
• ISBN13: 9780822214960
• Release Date: March 2026
• Publisher: Concord Theatricals
• Length: 90 Pages
• Weight: 0.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.2" x 5.3" x 7.7"

Customer Reviews

A entertaining, wonderful and enchanting play.

I love this play. In particular the dialogue Gurney has chosen for Sylvia (the dog) The way he has written woofs to be Hey! Hey! Hey! Although this story is about a middle aged couple adjusting to an empty nest,with children away at college, I really feel that the play really touches on the magical interaction that takes place between human and canine, in a very humourous way. It's really funny and entertaining. Ten out of ten. This is definately a play worth owning. (especially if you love animals).

Perhaps it's His Best

I can only say that this might be Gurney's best play. There are too many others of his, Love Letters, comes to mind, that would also be qualified to fit the 'best' spot. All I can really say is that this is one of the best plays of all times. It's light, it's profound, it has points that fit all of us. The story - A couple of empty nesters move into the city. Then one day he shows up with a dog - Sylvia. His wife doesn't want a dog in the city. It's a battle of the species. We put this on at our local theater to rave comments by our audience.