Staff Report

PARKERSBURG — Auditions will be held March 22 and 23 for “Sylvia,” a production of the Actors Guild of Parkersburg.

Written in 1995 by A.R. Gurney, “Sylvia” is about Greg, a middle-aged man who finds a stray dog, Sylvia, in Central Park and brings her home where it is adopted. Greg’s wife, Kate, doesn’t get along with Sylvia and sees the dog as a rival, causing jealousy and rivalry.

“It’s a comedy, definitely a comedy,” Charlie Matthews, a veteran of Actors Guild shows, who directs “Sylvia.”

Greg is undergoing a mid-life crisis. Kate, a teacher of Shakespeare, wants to travel to England, Matthews said. The problems begin when Sylvia is brought home where the friction between wife and dog has its ups and downs.

“But all is well that ends well, to quote Shakespeare,” Matthews said.

“Sylvia” has four actors, one of whom plays multiple roles, Matthews said.

Actors needed are two women to play Sylvia and Kate, one man to play the role of Greg and the fourth actor to fill the roles of Tom, Phyllis and Leslie.

Character descriptions are:

∫ Sylvia: Age range, 20s to 30s. A scruffy stray dog that finds shelter with Greg who admires her and finally sneaks into Kate’s heart even though she has not behaved in an exemplary manner.

∫ Greg: Age range, 40s to 50s. A middle aged empty nester who is unhappy with his current situation and experiences a midlife crisis. He finds Sylvia in the park, who makes him feel important and loved again. He likes Sylvia so much that he becomes too obsessed with her.

∫ Kate: Age range, 40s to 50s. Greg’s wife and a successful and ambitious teacher. Being afraid the dog might disrupt her new-found freedom after the kids have grown up and she and her husband moved back to the city, she strongly objects against keeping Sylvia. Later on, she even feels replaced by the dog in her marriage.

∫ Phyllis: Age range, 30s to 60s. A good friend of Kate’s who thinks that Sylvia is very intrusive and even leaves the house to escape from the dog.

∫ Tom: Age range, 30s to 60s. Owner of the golden retriever Bowser, he gives Greg advice on how to handle a dog and about the meaning of dog names.

∫ Leslie: Age range, 30s to 60s. A therapist who, depending on her clients, is perceived as either male or female. She advises Kate to divorce Greg and kill Sylvia.

Auditions are at 6:30 p.m. March 22 and March 23 in the Actors Guild rehearsal hall at 724 Market St. Enter through the black door on Market Street and go up the stairs to the top floor.

Call backs will be announced if necessary.

Auditions will consist of readings from the script with specific scenes announced prior to the audition dates at https://www.actors-guild.com/sylvia.html.

“Sylvia” will be presented 7:30 p.m. June 12, June 13 and June 19, and 2:30 p.m. June 14 and June 21. Tickets are $10 on opening night and $20 for other nights and matinees.

In addition to Matthews, the production staff includes technical director Nathan Arnold, assistant director Emily Biles, stage manager and props Marsha Mueller, production assistant Terri Borrelli, costumer Kathy Leavitt and adviser David Rexroad.