Go and do

WHAT: “Sylvia”

WHO: Community Little Theatre

WHEN: June 13, 14 & 15; and June 19, 20, 21 & 22. Shows are at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday.

WHERE: Great Falls Performing Arts Center, Academy Street, Auburn

TICKETS: $15. To order tickets, call the CLT box office at 783-0958 or log on to www.laclt.com.

It’s doggone funny Community Little Theatre’s production of the comedy ‘Sylvia’ opens Friday

AUBURN – For an evening of just plain good entertainment, it will be hard to beat the Community Little Theatre’s production of “Sylvia,” which opens Friday, June 13.

It’s a delightfully different comedy about a romantic triangle – a man, his wife and the dog who comes between them.

“Sylvia” touches on marriage, priorities and mid-life crises, but mainly it is just funny. That’s precisely how director Eileen Messina is approaching the show.

“The main reason I wanted Community Little Theatre to produce ‘Sylvia’ is because it is a show my mother, Mary Glen Rosenberg, always wanted to direct,” Messina said. “She believed that sometimes people want to come to the theater simply to be entertained – not hit over the head with any deep message, which is a sentiment I totally agree with.”

Roger Philippon plays the part of Greg, an extremely likable guy who becomes so wrapped up in the dog he found in the park that both his job as a financier and his marriage wind up in jeopardy.

Greg refers to and treats Sylvia as a human being, but to everyone else, she’s simply a hyperactive, yappy dog.

Sylvia, portrayed by Liz Rollins, is perky, sexy, energetic and very savvy.

She’s everything any man going through a mid-life crisis would love to have on his arm. Sylvia just happens to be a dog.

Greg’s wife, Kate, is played by Karen Lane. Her initial reaction to the new addition in the household is firmly negative.

Over the next few days, Greg spends more and more time with Sylvia, and less time at his job. Already dissatisfied with his job, he now has another reason to avoid work.

Tension increases between Greg and Kate, who still does not like Sylvia.

Eventually, Greg becomes completely obsessed with Sylvia and Kate fears their marriage is falling apart.

“Dog owners, in particular, will see the humor in this show,” Messina said, “but anyone who has ever felt that their pet understands them better than their spouse will recognize aspects of themselves on the stage.”

Others in the cast are a dog owner played by Jason Pelletier; Phyllis, who is Kate’s good friend, played by Pat Phillips; and Leslie, a marriage counselor, played by Jackie MacDonald.

Celeste Philippon is assistant director and Michael Litchfield is producer of the show.

Messina said “Sylvia” is geared toward an adult audience. There is some adult language, but in the context of the show it is appropriate and funny, not offensive, she said.

“Sylvia” is set in New York City and Messina said, “I’ve tried to make the city a character in the show as well.”

The play was written by A.R. Gurney, author of “Love Letters.” It was first produced in 1995. The role of Sylvia was originally written for Sarah Jessica Parker of “Sex and the City.”

Original incidental music for the CLT production has been written and recorded for the show by Paul G. Caron.

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