SYLVIA
The Show & Performances
FAST FACTS:
SHOW TIMES:
Evening Performances at 8 pm: April 15, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, and 29
Matinee Performances at 2 pm:
April 16, 23, and 30
All current COVID-19 protocols practiced.
SHOW RUN:
April 15 – 30, 2023
- Director’s Talk Back is Friday Apr 21, 2023 – immediately following the performance
- The Preview is on Friday Apr 14, 2023 – it is the final dress rehearsal.
- Running Time: 2 Hours (including the 15 min intermission).
LOCATION:
1370 SW Marine Drive, Vancouver, BC. Next to the on-ramp to the Arthur Lang Bridge by Marine Drive and Granville.
TICKET PRICING:
Adults $34.50 Students/Seniors $31.50 Thursday Special – 2 for $50 The Preview is $25
• GST and fees are additional
* Group Discounts available by calling the Box Office 604 266 7191
Tickets can be reserved online at tickets@metrotheatre.com or by calling the Metro Box Office 604 266 7191
BOX OFFICE WINDOW:
Opens one hour before the performance.
BOX OFFICE HOURS:
Wed to Sat 2 pm to 5 pm,
during the show run.
CONTACT:
Call 604 266 7191 voicemail or use the Contact METRO button on this page.
LICENSED LOUNGE HOURS:
Performance Evenings: 7:00 – 11:00 pm
Performance Matinees: 1:00 – 5:00 pm
PARKING:
There is plenty of easy parking – in the parking lot, on the street, reasonable ‘All Evening Parking’ at the Value Liquor Store Lot just up the street from Metro – 1450 SW Marine Dr, Vancouver, BC V6P 5Z9
BUS ROUTES:
We’re close to the Marpole bus loop and on the #10 route. Check 0ut
www.translink.ca for transit directions.
CONTACT:
Metro Theatre via the Contact Metro Button at the bottom of this page for more information, publicity photos, and arrangements for interviews.
Metro Theatre is a non-profit theatre company, dedicated to promoting and developing theatre arts. This is our 60th year of bringing laughter, intrigue and surprise to live audiences. Sylvia is our 539 show.
The Story
A story of a marriage
and a mutt
The play begins as Greg, a middle-aged New Yorker, brings the dog Sylvia home after finding her in the park. Greg has left work – at a financial institution – early, and we soon learn that he is on the edge of burning out at work. Sylvia, who says at the outset that she loves Greg unconditionally, is a welcome relief from the cold business of commodities trading that makes up his day at work.
But when Greg’s wife, Kate, arrives home, she makes it clear she has no interest in adopting a dog. Her career is just taking off, and the couple’s children are now in college, so they can begin to enjoy a more independent social life. Having a dog in the city would only burden them, she says. Greg convinces her to let Sylvia stay “a few days” to see how it works out. Of course, the few days extend to a much longer period – and the strain on the couple’s relationship builds, especially as it becomes clear that Greg is on the verge of losing his job.
Meanwhile, Sylvia goes about being very much a dog — although a speaking dog who makes no bones about what she thinks and how she feels about things. Sylvia also tangles Greg up in the leash when they go for walks. The name “Sylvia” – imprinted on the dog tag that Sylvia wore when Greg found her – is particularly ironic to Kate as she teaches Shakespeare to teenagers. She can’t help but be constantly reminded of the famous Shakespeare lyric, “Who is Sylvia? Who is she/ That all our swains commend her?”
The relationship between Greg, Sylvia, and Kate soon takes on many aspects of a love triangle, although Kate is at first the only one who really understands what is happening. Her husband sees no problems with having a dog in a small New York City apartment. She sees nothing but. Of course, in the end, as all romantic comedies should, love wins out. But it’s a close race in determining whose love for whom will win.
Show Page: SYLVIA
It’s puppy love for doggone adorable ‘Sylvia’
Metro Theatre Vancouver is pleased to present A.R. Gurney’s fetching comedy SYLVIA about marriage and midlife and how man’s best friend can become a woman’s worst enemy. Directed by Dale Kelly.
On stage April 15 – 30, 2023.
Sylvia is played by a woman dressed in normal clothing that merely suggests her identity as a dog. The play is more than a wacky romantic triangle about a husband, a wife and a dog. It’s also about love, relationships, instinct, loyalty and life’s vagaries as well as complexities. Sylvia becomes the route through which Greg divorces everything meaningless in his life; it’s significant that, that does not include Kate. But don’t dig too deep because more than anything it’s a very funny show.
“Anyone who has ever owned a dog knows they can be devoted, loving and endlessly frustrating. You are the center of their universe one minute and an after thought the next. Still the bond between our two species can be wondrous to behold. In the turmoil of today’s world, it is worth having a companion who lives in the moment. The problems of tomorrow are put on hold and stress can melt away in the company of such a friend.” Dale Kelly, Director.
Tickets: $31.50 Senior/Student or $34.50 Adult (plus GST) can be reserved by calling the Box Office 604 266 7191, or Purchase Tickets
Warnings: Sylvia is an adult comedy, with some sexual references and frequently salty language – mostly from the dog, who expresses herself very directly and without filters.
Cast and Production Team
CAST
| Character | Performer |
| Sylvia | Kyra Weston |
| Greg | Ryan Johnson |
| Kate | Colleen Bignell |
| Phyllis / Leslie | Samantha Hussey |
| Tom | Mark MacDonald |
PRODUCTION TEAM
| Director | Dale Kelly |
| Producer | Alison Schamberger |
| Stage Manager | Emma Graveson |
| Properties / ASM | Michelle Roebuck |
| Set Design | Warren Johnson |
| Costume Design | Monica Iyer |
| Lighting Design | Adrien Hodgson |
| Sound Design | Colleen Bignell |
| Set Decoration | Daisy Fung |
| Set Painting | Emily Dotson |
| Technical Director | Les Erskine |
| General Manager | Les Erskine |
| Head Carpenter | Robin Richardson |
| Promo Photography | Naomi Bennet |
| Production Photography | Tracy-Lynn Chernaske |
| Publicity | Debra Danny |
| Graphic Design | Barbara LaBounta |
| Costume Liaison | Claire Turner |
| Box Office/FOH | Heather Stewart |
Director’s Talk Back
Join director Dale Kelly and some of the cast and crew of SYLVIA immediately following the show on Friday, April 21, 2023 for an informal chat about:
- How the fly walls were used to help with the set design and concept for the rapidly changing scenes of the play.
- Can you love your pet too much?
- Brilliant as our pets may be, they can’t verbalize their hopes and dreams, and yet depictions of anthropomorphic animals abound thanks to our creative superpowers. Why do we give human-like traits to our pets and at the same time, take on their animal characteristics?
After which, the director will open the session up for questions from the audience.
There is no additional charge for the Director’s Talk, just stay in your seats or move up a bit closer to the stage. The session will last approximately 20 minutes.
Production Photos
The Production Photos for SYLVIA were shot on set during the Preview – final dress rehearsal.
Photo credit to Tracy-Lynn Chernaske
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Promo Photos
The Promo Photos for SYLVIA were shot on location at a park near the theatre.
Photo credit to Naomi Bennet
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In Rehearsal
These REHEARSAL PHOTOS reflect the show from the first read-thru to the final rehearsals on the stage leading up to the preview.
Photo credit to Emma Graveson
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Reviews & Being Said
The notion of a dog as a mistress — well what dog owner hasn’t been through that?
Kyra Weston was especially excellent at evoking the inner life of a dog! The perfect show for pet owners, check it out.