 |
Top Stories | |
|
| ||
|
| ||
|
| ||
| Every dog has its day | ||||||||
|
|
| It’s hard to say whether the play, which opens at the
Firebarntonight, focuses on the life of a dog or on the marriage
problems of two middle-aged people, but both winning subjects are
humorously performed by the actors. The couple, Greg and Kate, have finally finished raising their children and gotten them out of the house. Trouble is they’re not adapting as well as they’d like in this final chapter of adult life. Moving from the suburbs to a posh apartment in Manhattan, the couple embark on their new life together. Kate (played by Deborah Sadler) is just now able to focus on her career as an English teacher -- and is enjoying it immensely. In a role made for Sadler, who is a real-life English teacher, she happily goes from school to grading homework, and tries to get her husband involved in her new literary endeavors. Meanwhile her husband Greg, (Jay Burke) is having a sort of mid-life crisis. Rather than cheating on his beloved wife or buying a red Corvette, he finds a dog in the park and takes her home. And this Lab/Poodle mix becomes the object of his attention and affection, much to Kate’s dislike and jealousy. At one point, Greg believes that if Sylvia has puppies it will bring them closer together. A friend in the park tells him he should seek counseling. There is also a hilarious scene in which Sylvia meets and becomes attracted to the very male "Bowser" at the park. "Sylvia is a touchingly funny play," says Director Robbie Morgan Burke. The frisky canine, Sylvia, is not your typical dog. Played by Karen Robinson -- wearing a bright pink harness and leash and two fluffy pig-tails -- the audience will believe for a time that she really is a dog. Using a pupp’s sad eyes and taking advantage of a dog’s way of swaying her master, Robinson will undoubtedly win the affection of the audience. "I loved it. It was hysterical," said Robinson. "I thought this was a role I really wanted to play." Robinson said she studied the movements of other dogs for a while. "It was a different experience," she said. This small cast of four actors, which include Jeff Belanger, playing more than one part, really bring viewers into the heart of the story and character’s lives. But because there is so much dialogue -- good for the viewer, tough for the actor -- there were lots of rehearsals to tweak the words until they were just right. "The dialogue is so natural. It’s just natural speech," Robinson said, noting that made it easier. Working together also helped them study their lines, as all of the actors have performed together in other plays. Besides the play being about a dog, some of the proceeds of the six performances will actually go to the dogs -- and to other homeless animals, as well. Burke, stage manager Beverly Robinson and Little Theater Publicity Chairman Kathy Castro met with representatives from Faxon Animal Rescue League and Forever Paws, and have set up donation boxes in the lobby to help homeless animals. In addition to donations, attendees are also welcome to bring towels, blankets and other related items to the theatre for distribution to the shelters. The play will be performed tonight and Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m. and also next week Jan. 25 and 27 at 8 p.m., and Jan. 28 at 2 p.m. The Firebarn Theater is located at the corner of Prospect Street and Highland Avenue. Tickets are $10 each. Students, seniors and groups of 20 or more will receive a discount. Call 675-1852 for reservations. Warning: This play contains adult language. |
| ©The Herald News 2002 |
| |||||
| Reader Opinions | |||||
| |||||
| Be the first person to voice your opinion on this story! | |||||
| |||||
Back to
top  |
 |
 | |||
| |||||
Questions or comments? Email the Webmaster.
Copyright © 1995 - 2002