Sylvia—man’s best friend
by Frances Matteck
nw news editor
Sylvia, a romantic comedy about a dog, opens on NW Campus at next week.
The play is about a middle-aged man who finds a dog, Sylvia, in the park and brings her home. However, as he pays more and more attention to the dog, his wife becomes jealous and tries to find ways to separate her husband from his new pet.
This play has six parts portrayed by four people. Trey Brown plays Tom, Phyllis and Leslie.
Brown has to switch personas frequently during the play because his characters include a manly man, a woman and a psychiatrist.
Brown compared Sylvia to this year’s other plays.
“ This one is a whole lot more grown up,” he said.
Nick Kougias plays Greg, the main male role in the play.
“ My character is going through a mid-life crisis, and Sylvia is his escape from all the problems in his life,” he said.
Kougias has performed on NW Campus for years. He has earned his bachelor’s degree in theater arts and is currently teaching in the Northwest ISD.
“ I love this show, mainly because of the cast,” he said.
Barbie Billingsley, who plays Kate the jealous wife, said, “It’s a fun script and a great cast.”
Annie Anderson plays Sylvia, the dog.
“ I’ve never played an animal before, but I get a lot of character study because I have 13 dogs,” she said.
Anderson believes this play will be great because it has NW theater’s “cream of the crop” in the cast.
Brent Alford, theater department head, is directing this play.
Alford said he chose this production partly because he is a big fan of A.R. Gurney, the author.
Alford added, “Being in my mid-40s, the subject matter appeals to me.”
Alford said the play deals with humanizing pets and facing mid-life crisis.
“ The husband substitutes getting the dog for going out and having an affair,” he said.
Sylvia will be performed Thursday, April 22, through Sunday, April 25, at 8 p.m. in the NW theater with a 2:30 p.m. matinee Saturday and Sunday.
Tickets are free for TCC students, faculty and staff and $3 for the general public.
Last Updated: 4/14/2004
Copyright © 2004 The Collegian - All Rights Reserved