The Ti-Ahwaga Community Players in Owego will start their 2023-24 season with a play that has been called “a smart, silly, sophisticated and occasionally salty comedy about relationships, nature and growing older.”
Sylvia, which will run weekends from this Friday (Sept. 29) to Oct. 15, was written by A.R. Gurney Jr., who is known for a series of plays about upper-class WASP life in contemporary America.
In the play, Greg, a restless empty nester whose career as a financial trader is winding down, discovers renewed enthusiasm when he finds a homeless dog in the park bearing the name “Sylvia” on a name tag. While Greg and the coquettish canine form a deep bond, Greg’s wife, Kate, who was looking forward to some independence now that the children are out of the house, is less than thrilled.
The disagreement about “the new family member” puts a strain on the marriage.
The four-character play has had New York City runs both on Broadway and Off-Broadway. (And, yes, the titular character is played by a human.) Viewer discretion is advised because of some strong language.
IF YOU GO: Sylvia will be performed weekends Sept. 29-Oct. 15 at the Ti-Ahwaga Performing Arts Center, 42 Delphine St., Owego. Performances are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $25 ($20 for 65 and over and students). They can be purchased at www.tiahwaga.com or by calling the box office at 607-687-2130.
— George Basler
