"Sylvia" - by A.R. Gurney - Nashoba Players (Westford, MA.) - REVIEW
(Cover Photo: Mary-Liz Murray as "Kate," Casey Preston as "Greg" and Kerry Moe Abramov as their dog "SYLVIA" in a scene from the play written by A.R. Gurney from Nashoba Players in Westford, MA. through May 2, 2026. Photo Courtesy Nashoba Players)
By Kevin T. Baldwin
METRMAG Reviewer
# 774-242-6724
“I’m not through yet, Sylvia. Now you should know that all you are is a male menopausal moment.”
- ("Kate") / A..R. Gurney
Nashoba Players
Presents A.R. Gurney's
"SYLVIA"
Written by A.R. Gurney
Directed by Ken Golner
Cast Includes: Kerry Moe Abramov as "Sylvia," Casey Preston as "Greg," Mary-Liz Murray as "Kate," Chay Tower-Hughes as "Tom/Phyllis/Leslie."
Additional Creative Team:
Producer - Amy Newberg; Assistant Director - Melissa Lynch; Stage Manager - Casey Manseau; Vocal Coach - Kathryn Denney; Sound Design - Chris Cooper; Lighting Design - Matt Valeri; Lighting Operator - Traci Bartlett; Costumes/Wigs - Amy Newberg & Cast.
Performances:
April 24, 2026 through May 2, 2026
(Contact Box Office for Exact Times)
Parish Center for the Arts, 10 Lincoln Street, Westford, MA. 01886
TICKETS:
For tickets and more information visit
https://nashobaplayers.org/shows/current/intro/
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COVID 19 PROTOCOLS
Contact Venue for Most Updated COVID-19 Safety Protocols and Information.
(Warning: The following review contains spoilers)
(Note: This review is of a final dress rehearsal on 04-20-2026)
Nashoba Players brings to Wesford the dogs of spring with the delightfully upbeat and quirky comedy "SYLVIA."
Written in 1995 by A.R. Gurney, the two-act "SYLVIA" concerns empty nesters Greg (Casey Preston) and Kate (Mary-Liz Murray) who face a critical juncture in their marriage when Greg brings into their apartment a new “love” - a stray dog named "SYLVIA" (Kerry Moe Abramov).
“SYLVIA” premiered Off-Broadway in 1995 with Sarah Jessica Parker as "SYLVIA" and later had a Broadway run in 2015 starring Annaleigh Ashford and Matthew Broderick.
In 1995, Sarah Jessica Parker would receive a Drama Desk Award nomination for her role in the Off-Broadway production, while Costume Design would win two awards – a Lucille Lortel Award and Hewes Award – and, in 2016, actor Robert Sella would receive an Outer Critics Circle Award nomination for his role in the Broadway production.
(Photo: Casey Preston as "Greg" with Kerry Moe Abramov as "SYLVIA" in a scene from the play written by A.R. Gurney from Nashoba Players in Westford, MA. through May 2, 2026. Photo Courtesy Nashoba Players)
Now, in the Nashoba Players production, the story takes place in Manhattan during the 90s, where the main plot of "SYLVIA" really revolves around Greg and Kate who have just moved to the city after raising their family out in the suburbs.
The stress that arises between Greg and Kate comes as Greg brings home scraggly, stray mutt "SYLVIA" and instantly seems deeply emotionally attached to the dog.
Oh, and…by the way…the dog speaks - oh yes, it speaks (just accept the absurdity and you’ll have a great time here).
Greg begins to spend more time with the dog (I mean, who wouldn’t? It speaks), neglecting his work at a job he despises.
He also appears to be going through a midlife crisis, which has Kate concerned as she observes Ken becoming more preoccupied with this canine stray he has brought into their home without consulting her.
Kate also views "SYLVIA" as a rival for Greg’s affection, which dogpaddles their marriage into some serious troubling waters.
(Photo: Casey Preston as "Greg" with Chay Tower-Hughes as fellow dog owner "Tom" in a scene from "SYLVIA" by A.R. Gurney from Nashoba Players in Westford, MA. through May 2, 2026. Photo Courtesy Nashoba Players)
As written, "SYLVIA" isn’t perfect – there are moments that may have you curious, such as wondering “well, if the dog can speak, and Greg and Kate can understand the dog, why couldn’t 'SYLVIA' just tell Greg or Kate where it came from?”
"SYLVIA" also may seem “incomplete” to some, but its approach to its running themes certainly is not, taking a comprehensive and tender look at love – not only between Greg and the dog but between Greg and Kate, who seem to be drifting apart.
A head-scratching moment in "SYLVIA" comes in the form of a song randomly inserted into the piece midway through the story.
This moment very well might have some in the audience wanting to briskly flip through their programs to check as they ask “wait – what – this is a musical?”
However, the above are minor complaints as the balance of Nashoba Players' "SYLVIA" offers complete enjoyment.
As Kate’s career seems to be blossoming, Greg’s career is wilting, confessing to Kate on how he needs a change from the dreary job he despises.
This results in an impasse for the couple as Greg fully embraces his newfound companionship with the abandoned "SYLVIA" while leaving Kate feeling abandoned herself.
The story, as directed by Ken Golner, has a quirky charm and warmth - and yet, similar to Gurney’s more notable effort, “Love Letters,” "SYLVIA" feels more like an expanded premise of an "SNL" sketch than a fully realized piece.
That said, the performances by all involved are marvelous, especially Abramov who excels at the physicality required and is completely invested as the playful and talkative character of "SYLVIA"; and Chay Tower-Hughes who equally and artfully assumes several distinctive personas portraying multiple characters in the story.
Both Preston and Murray as Greg and Kate seem to have fine onstage chemistry, as well, making "SYLVIA" a pleasure to watch as we root for the couple in their attempt to keep their relationship from going to the dogs.
(Photo: Mary-Liz Murray as "Kate," Casey Preston as "Greg" and Kerry Moe Abramov as their dog "SYLVIA" in a scene from the play written by A.R. Gurney from Nashoba Players in Westford, MA. through May 2, 2026. Photo Courtesy Nashoba Players)
The set design for the Nashoba Players show is kept basic but nicely succeeds in establishing an upscale Manhattan apartment.
The use of targeted sound effects helped to enhance some of the scenes, including those involving Ken and "SYLVIA" and taking place at a dog park.
"SYLVIA" is an absurdist comedy requiring one to suspend disbelief as a human assumes the persona of a dog (and a mutt that occasionally uses foul language to boot).
However, if one can do so, the result will be enjoying two hours watching and embracing many humorous and touching moments that are shared between dogs and humans alike.
"SYLVIA" continues from Nashoba Players in Westford until May 2nd, 2026.
Tickets are available online at: https://nashobaplayers.org/shows/current/intro/
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Approximately two hours with one intermission.
Kevin T. Baldwin is a member of the American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA)
@MetrmagReviews
@Theatre_Critics
ABOUT THE SHOW
In A.R. Gurney's "SYLVIA" - Greg and Kate have moved to Manhattan after twenty-two years of child-raising in the suburbs.
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.
And "SYLVIA" thinks Kate just doesn’t understand the relationship between man and dog.
The marriage is put in serious jeopardy and the audience is put in serious stitches.
Will Greg and Kate (and "SYLVIA") survive this mess?
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ABOUT THE NASHOBA PLAYERS
NASHOBA PLAYERS is a dynamic, non-profit community theatre that has been dedicated to providing cultural enrichment through live theatre in drama, musicals and comedy to Westford and surrounding communities. THE NASHOBA PLAYERS home stage is at the Parish Center for the Arts at 10 Lincoln Street in Westford, MA. It is an intimate and inviting venue where THE NASHOBA PLAYERS offers cabaret seating for shows. Each season offers three or more performances which include drama, comedy, musicals, and sometimes a whimsical tongue-in-cheek melodrama or an elegant dinner theatre experience.
10 LINCOLN STREET
WESTFORD, MA. 01886
