A man and his dog are looking for love in Coshocton Footlight Players production 'Sylvia'

COSHOCTON − "Sylvia" is more than a story about a man and his dog, but an examination of someone lost in their career, marriage and life finding his way out through a personal connection in a strange place.

The dramady by A.R. Gurney will be presented by the Coshocton Footlight Players the next three weekends at the Triple Locks Theater. It debuted Off-Broadway in 1995. Those who have played the title role have included Sarah Jessica Parker of "Sex in the City" and Rachel Dratch of "Saturday Night Live."

Sylvia is a stray dog (played by a human actress) who is discovered by Greg and brought home, to the chagrin of his wife, Kate. Greg bonds strongly with Sylvia, while Kate can't stand her being around. Greg spends more time with Sylvia than at his job while he drives a wedge between the married couple who was already having problems.

Co-directors are Jackie McCune and Ellen Hardesty, who played Sylvia in a previous production by the Footlight Players. It was directed by Hardesty's late mother, Bettsy Gauerke, and this version is dedicated to her.

When asked what they hope an audience will take from the play McCune said, "Laughter and how the show relates to their own dogs. There are so many times during rehearsals I think, 'oh this so reminds me of my Marsie, a lab mix, or Rye, an Irish doodle.' How wonderful is it to come home to your dog who is always over the moon happy to see you."

Katie Aggas plays Kate and found a lot of herself in the role. While she originally wanted to be Sylvia, after landing Kate she found it a better fit.

"It's funny. It's pretty relatable. I think everyone has had a surprise come into their life they've had to deal with that may or may not be a good thing, but turns out to be a good thing," Aggas said of the show.

Kathy Reid is Leslie, the marriage counselor. Reid has directed and acted for the Footlight Players in the past, but this is her first production since 2020. The part is just nine pages, so Reid sees it as a good way to ease her way back on stage.

"It's a really nice story. I've enjoyed working with everyone. It's a nice way to get back on stage," Reid said.

Annie Baker, of Cambridge, who plays Sylvia, believes most people will see something of themselves in Sylvia and the other characters. It's her first show with the Footlight Players.

"Sylvia is this dog who is just looking for her place in the world. I think we can all relate to that story. We all just want to be loved and find that place. That's what she's trying to do throughout the whole play," Baker said.

"Sylvia" will be presented at 7:30 p.m. April 5, 6, 12, 13, 19 and 20 and 2:30 p.m. April 14 at the Triple Locks Theater, 685 N. Whitewoman St. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for youth, available online or call the box office at 740-622-2959.

The production is sponsored by McWane Ductile. Donations will be taken at each performance to support the Coshocton County Animal Shelter and Humane Animal Treatment Association.

The cast features Annie Baker as Sylvia, Ryan Teti as Greg, Katie Aggas as Kate, Gabi MaeLynn as Phyllis, Kathy Reid as Leslie and Denny Blanford as Tom.

Leonard Hayhurst is a community content coordinator and general news reporter for the Coshocton Tribune with more than 15 years of local journalism experience and multiple awards from the Ohio Associated Press. He can be reached at 740-295-3417 or llhayhur@coshoctontribune.com. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) at @llhayhurst.

This article originally appeared on Coshocton Tribune: 'Sylvia' opens at Coshocton Footlight Players on Thursday