— courtesy VGCC

Vance-Granville Community College Drama students will soon entertain audiences with a modern romantic comedy about a marriage — and a dog. “Sylvia” will be staged on VGCC’s Main Campus in Henderson, Nov. 16-19. Performances begin on Thursday, Nov 16, at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, Nov. 17, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 18, at 2 p.m. and at 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Nov. 19, at 2 p.m. All performances are in the small auditorium in Building 2.

Sylvia, by the late American playwright A.R. Gurney, tells the story of a married couple, Greg and Kate, who have moved to Manhattan after 22 years of child-raising in the suburbs. Greg’s career as a financial trader is winding down, while Kate’s career, as a public-school English teacher, is beginning to offer her more opportunities. Greg brings home a dog he found in the park—or that has found him—bearing only the name “Sylvia” on her name tag. A street-smart mixture of Lab and Poodle, Sylvia becomes a major bone of contention between husband and wife. She offers Greg an escape from the frustrations of his job and the unknowns of middle age. To Kate, Sylvia becomes a rival for affection, while Sylvia thinks Kate just doesn’t understand the relationship between man and dog.

The comedy premiered in 1995 with Sarah Jessica Parker in the title role. At the time, a New York Daily News critic called it “one of the most involving, beautiful, funny, touching and profound plays I have ever seen,” while another reviewer called it a “mad comedy” and “howlingly funny.”

The play includes some adult language and themes.

Students in the cast include Samantha Hines of Henderson as Sylvia in Cast A, Faith Orr of Henderson as Sylvia in Cast B, Jordan Bunting of Rocky Mount as Greg, Brittney Patterson of Henderson as Kate, Nick Kurtz of Durham as Tom, Jamie McGinn of Wake Forest as Phyllis, Allison Hines of Henderson as Leslie in Cast A and Chadstity Copeland of Henderson as Leslie in Cast B. Cast A will perform on Thursday night, Friday night and the Saturday matinee, while Cast B will perform on Saturday night and the Sunday matinee.

Betsy Henderson, the VGCC Theatre Arts/speech instructor and department chair of Fine Arts and Humanities, directs the play.

Other members of the crew include students Angel Sizemore of Oxford (Production Stage Manager/Assistant Director), Brian Johnson of Creedmoor (Assistant Stage Manager and Projections), Megan Kokus of Rougemont (Head Costume Designer), Mary Parrish of Henderson (costumes), Yazi Majette of Henderson (costumes), Carleigh Gupton of Henderson (costumes), Carol Swain of Henderson (Head of Props), Amanda Cease of Henderson (Props), Chakiria Thorne of Henderson (Props), Evan O’ Geary of Henderson (Head of Hair/Make-up), Rosie Kanouff of Kittrell (Hair/Make-up), and Camden Jones of Henderson (Lighting/Sound Operator).

Admission is $15 for the general public, and $10 for students and VGCC employees.

Tickets may be purchased at the door, but attendees are encouraged to secure their seats by making reservations. For more information and to reserve seats, contact Betsy Henderson at hendersonb@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3371.

–VGCC–

(VGCC is a paying advertising client of WIZS.)