By Mickey Butler Last weekend I went to see the play Sylvia, by playwright A.R. Gurney. I didn’t have much foreknowledge beyond the premise, but as a dog lover and familiar with the capabilities of the woman who plays Sylvia, I was sure I’d enjoy it. I was not disappointed.  Jaclyn R obertson as Sylvia and Tristan Poje as Greg in ‘Sylvia.’ Photo by Chip Gertzog. Sylvia is the story of a middle-aged man’s attempt to discover purpose in life after his children have left home for college. He believes he has found it in rescuing a dog. His wife believes that she has discovered purpose in the newfound freedom from rearing their offspring and the expanded opportunities that come with it. Can a rambunctious canine help them rediscover purpose in each other? Presented by NOVA Nightsky Theater and directed by Ward Kay, Sylvia is thoughtfully performed with an even mix of humor and heart. Anyone who has owned and loved a dog will instantly recognize the pattern of communication between Sylvia and her new owner. Add to that the pressures of living under the scrutiny of someone who does not share the love and appreciation for a dog, and the story became incredibly familiar to me. The starring cast of Tristan Poje as Greg, the newfound owner of a female dog found in the park, and Jaclyn Robertson as Sylvia, the newfound dog, perform their roles with sensitivity and believable affection for each other. TOP: Leanna Saler as Kate, Jaclyn Robertson as Sylvia, and Tristan Poje as Greg; ABOVE: Leanna Saler as Kate, Tristan Poje as Greg, and Jennifer Greene as Phyllis, in ‘Sylvia.’ Photos by Chip Gertzog. They are rounded out by a supporting cast played by Leanna Saler as Greg’s wife Kate, Kyle Mullins as Tom, a dog-owning friend Greg meets at the park, and Jennifer Greene as Phyllis, a long-time friend of Kate. The cast is rounded out by a stellar (yet all-too-short) performance by Pilar Bruyere as Leslie, Kate’s androgynous therapist. How I wish that A.R. Gurney had worked Leslie into more scenes, but Bruyere’s rendition of the therapist more than makes up for the brevity. They each expertly deliver a diverse mix of characters who shape the relationship between Sylvia and Greg, and I still applaud them, even days later.  One of the standout scenes is when Greg and Kate are at the airport as Kate prepares to leave for a business trip, while Sylvia is at home, missing Greg. The play ventures into musical territory as Sylvia, alone, breaks into a ballad and sings Ella Fitzgerald’s “Every Time We Say Goodbye,” expressing her sentiments for Greg in song. At the airport, Greg, as if overcome by the sentiment of the moment, picks up and sings the second verse. Kate, now on her way to her plane, joins in, re-singing the first verse to Greg (now out of earshot), bringing sincerity to the moment. Up until this time, she had been tolerant of the new dog, but more out of her long-suffering patience with her husband than any compassion for Sylvia. Her previous demeanor and conversations with Greg about Sylvia would come off as irritable, but the tenderness of her love for him is put on display during this song. As the song reaches its crescendo, all three sing the closing verse in unison. Since none of them sing like trained vocalists, I was more assured of their character’s authenticity in their emotions. The set design, constructed by the multi-talented Adam Ressa, is incredible and feels like a perfectly arranged, slightly old-fashioned apartment for two middle-aged people. One can sense the disruption that an energetic and feisty dog could bring to it. Ressa’s appreciation of the feminine eye is displayed by the order and comfort he brings to the depiction of the set, signifying that Kate was the mind behind their home’s design. From the books and pictures on the bookshelves, to the old-fashioned hot water radiator (yes, I’m dating myself), I was sold on the reality of what I was seeing. Yet the arrangement is still modern and temptingly inviting, to the point that I would have paid a few dollars more to have been allowed to sit on that soft, gray couch for a few minutes and absorb the atmosphere the set created.  Through laughter and tears, I saw the play through to the end, and I plan on doing so once more before the production’s final performance. Heartwarming and funny, with an ending that you won’t see coming, NOVA Nightsky Theater’s production of Sylvia will delight and entertain those who love dogs, those who don’t, and everyone in between.  Running Time: Two hours, including a 15-minute intermission.  Sylvia plays through February 14, 2026, presented by NOVA Nightsky Theater, performing at Falls Church Presbyterian Church, located at 225 E Broad St, Falls Church, VA. Tickets ($28, with a $0.70 service fee for General Admission) are available for purchase at the door or online. The program is downloadable here. SylviaBy A.R. GurneyDirected by Ward Kay Mickey Butler is a locally published writer and community theater appreciator. When graced with the opportunity to act, he brings heartfelt appreciation to the craft, as well as obvious joy in the fun of performing with others. An avid animal lover, he rescues creatures (some human) that rehabbers and shelters will not accept. One of his favorite non-human friends was a European Starling named Puck, who lived with him from a rescued hatchling to a ten-year-old adult bird. Though he misses her dearly, he makes every effort to ensure that the three rescued pigeons currently in his care are provided a good and abundant life. He loves people. Mickey Butler holds a master’s degree in Creative Writing for Media and Entertainment. 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