SYLVIA's Annaleigh Ashford Shares Canine Strategy to Deal with Cell Phone Users in Theaters

In a new interview with The New Yorker, Tony award winner Annaleigh Ashford discusses the challenges of playing a dog in the Broadway revival of A. R. Gurney's Sylvia, now in previews at the Cort Theatre.

"The biggest difference is that dogs see with their noses and walk on fours," the KINKY BOOTS star says of the difference between taking on a human and a canine character. "I definitely sniff right at the top of the play."

To prepare for the role, the actress spent a significant amount of time observing her own toy Australian shepherd, Gracie, at classes for obedience, agility, and sheep herding. "She looks back at her butt a lot," Ashford noted. "I really don't know why, it's just her own thing. But I noticed I did it at a preview on Saturday night."

While the actress is still getting a feel for striking that balance between human and canine behaviors on stage, she shares that there is one instance where she knows it will be appropriate to put her doggie qualities on full display. Jokes the actress. "If a cell phone goes off, I can bark at it."

Read the interview in full here.

Funny and heartwarming, Sylvia is about what happens when a smart, sassy, captivating canine befriends a New Yorker in Central Park and changes his life -- and his wife's life -- forever. This wonderful look into the complexities of love and commitment asks what it truly means to be devoted to your partner...and how do you choose between the love of your life and man's best friend?

SYLVIA stars two-time Tony-winner Matthew Broderick (It's Only a Play, Nice Work If You Can Get It, The Producers, How to Succeed..., Brighton Beach Memoirs) as Greg, 2015 Tony-winner Annaleigh Ashford (You Can't Take It With You, Tony-nominee for Kinky Boots, Hair) as Sylvia, Tony Award winner Julie White (The Little Dog Laughed, 2015 Tony-nominee for Airline Highway, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike) as Kate, and Drama Desk Award winner Robert Sella (Stuff Happens, Sleepy Hollow, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) as Tom/Phyllis/Leslie.

The creative team for Sylvia includes scenic design by Tony Award-nominee David Rockwell (You Can't Take It With You, On the Twentieth Century), costume design by Academy Award-winner Ann Roth (The English Patient), lighting design by Tony Award-nominee Japhy Weideman (The Visit, Airline Highway), sound design by Peter Fitzgerald (All the Way, Movin' Out), and music by Greg Pliska. Sylvia has wig and makeup design by Campbell Young Associates. James Fitzsimmons is the Production Stage Manager. Casting by Telsey + Company/William Cantler, CSA.

SYLVIA was first produced in 1995 at the Manhattan Theatre Club, where it received Drama Desk Award nominations for Outstanding Play, Outstanding Actress in a Play (for Sarah Jessica Parker), and Outstanding Costume Design, and ran for 167 performances. It has since left its mark, having been performed all over the world.

Photo credit: Alessandro Pinna