‘Sylvia’ to open Theatre Aspen’s summer season

Kicking off Theatre Aspen’s 43rd summer season is a production of A.R. Gurney’s “Sylvia,” running June 15-27 at the Hurst Theater.

Tony Award-nominee Hunter Foster (“Urinetown,” “Little Shop of Horrors”) returns for his sixth season with Theatre Aspen to direct; Jed Bernstein will produce.

The cast features Broadway veteran and award-winning voice actress Jen Cody playing “Sylvia,” the lovable stray dog.

“Sylvia” is a 1995 comedy-drama by A.R. Gurney about a marriage upended and transformed by a dog named Sylvia, who is played by a human actor who speaks directly to the audience. She mixes canine physicality with conversational intelligence. 

The story is focused on Greg and Kate, a middle-aged couple in New York City whose children have recently moved out. Greg, feeling restless and emotionally adrift, finds Sylvia — a stray dog — in the park and brings her home, much to Kate’s dismay.

Also featured are Tony Award-nominee Erin Dilly (“Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) as Kate and David Beach (“Mamma Mia,” “Urinetown”) in the multiple roles of Tom, Phyllis and Leslie. Jim Stanek has jumped into the role of “Greg” after a casting change.

“It’s a four-person play, and I’ve worked with all the people. I’m really looking forward to it,” Cody said.

She noted that while this is a new production, the longstanding connections between the cast will add to the fun. Cody has been a Broadway staple for more than 25 years.

“We want to create a family,” Foster added.

He has known Dilly and Stanek for 25 years and even went to school with Dilly in the 1980s. Foster and Beach have also worked together, including as castmates in the original Broadway production of “Urinetown.”

Cody will be performing “Sylvia” for the fourth time, having previously appeared in productions in New York, Massachusetts and Connecticut. Foster, also performed with Cody in “Sylvia” during a production at Geva Theatre Center in 2017, so he knew the play well heading into the Theatre Aspen production. 

The creative team will include Scenic Designer Riw Rakkulchon, Lighting Designer Wheeler Moon, Sound Designer Jeff Sherwood, Costume Designer Nicole V. Moody, and Wig Designer Jeff Knaggs.

Originally, Sarah Jessica Parker played “Sylvia” in the 1995 Broadway show, with Matthew Broderick playing “Greg” in that production. The off-Broadway revival starred Annaleigh Ashford in 2015.

“I think it’s a really great role for an actress because it’s a lot of physical humor — you have to emulate a dog — then you slowly personify her,” Cody said. 

Cody explained how Gurney uses the dog to explore how empty-nest couples can drift apart. Instead of portraying an affair, the husband’s affection shifts toward the dog. She said audiences relate to it because they can see every side of the situation, which makes it a compelling way to examine it.

She added, “For an actress, it runs the gamut. It’s so funny, but it’s so touching and beautiful. I love the play so much.”

The play’s appeal for Foster is centered on how humans connect to dogs and how it’s such a unique relationship compared to other animals.

“We’ve had four dogs and a special relationship with each of them. When you lose them, it’s like losing part of your family — they really do become family,” he said. 

The run time is two hours, with a 15-minute intermission. Ticket sales are available for in-person single tickets at the Hurst Theater Tent and online sales. Box office hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday.

For more information, visit TheatreAspen.org or call 970-925-9313.