Williams Street Rep Announces Casting for SYLVIA

Williams Street Repertory, McHenry County's only professional theater company, is excited to announce casting for its upcoming production of "Sylvia." This unlikely love triangle between a man, his wife... and his dog opens on May 4, 2018 at Raue Center For The Arts and runs select dates through May 20, 2018.

"We are blurring the lines a bit in enlisting the imagination of the audience in helping us create a set and space that can evoke all of the locales called for in the play as seamlessly as possible," says Director Joe Lehman. "The design assists in blurring the edges of where we are as well as pointing out the skewed point of view that helps create a world where a dog [can be a woman and a woman can be a dog]. Similarly, by sometimes having a man and sometimes a woman play the three-person male, female and gender undefined characters of Tom, Phyllis and Leslie we also play into the theatricality of the situation."

A.R. Gurney's "Sylvia" is a hilarious romp that will leave audiences howling for more! Greg is a man of middle age, a restless empty nester, tired of his job in finance and looking for meaning in his life. Sylvia is an exuberant and beautiful lab/poodle mix, astray in Central Park and looking for a new home.

When they meet, it is love at first sight. But when Greg brings Sylvia home his wife, Kate, is less than thrilled. Love and laughter are unleashed in this smart, silly, sophisticated and, occasionally, salty comedy about relationships, nature and growing older.

"We have to care about everyone in the play and believe the love that exists between the three central characters," says Lehman. "Without that investment and hope that things will work out, there is no real conflict in the play and it becomes a show about a woman playing the role of a dog, as opposed to the role that the dog and unconditional, ever-forgiving and adaptable, love plays in their shared lives."

WSR's production of "Sylvia" features:

Joel Bennett as Greg

Andy Brown & Caron Buinis as Tom/Phyllis/Leslie

Miriam Naponelli as Sylvia

Alicia Regan*+ as Kate

WSR's production of "Sylvia" opens on May 4, 2018 at Raue Center and runs select dates through May 20, 2018. For more information, visit wsrep.org.

WSR is a member of Theatre Communications Group, the national organization for the American theatre. TCG has existed to strengthen, nurture and promote the professional not-for-profit American theatre for over 50 years.

*Member of Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

+ WSR Ensemble Member

Founding Artistic Director: Richard Kuranda, SDC

General/Company Manager Caitlin I. Quinn

Production Manager: Carolyn Voss

Marketing Director: Miriam Naponelli

Marketing Manager: Michele V. Knight

Raue Center offers special seating arrangements and hearing devices for patrons with disabilities. Please call the box office at 815.356.9212 to make arrangements prior to the performance.

Raue Center Box Office | 815.356.9212 | 12 to 4p | Mon-Sat | Open Sundays on performance days 1 hour prior to performance.
www.rauecenter.org

rauecenter.org

Box Office: 815.356.9212 | 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. | Mon-Sat | Sundays open 1 hour prior to performance.

About Williams Street Repertory

Williams Street Repertory is a non-profit theatre company located in Crystal Lake, IL. Over the past seven years, WSR has built a reputation for artistic excellence as one of Illinois' leading producing theatres. WSR is dedicated to sustaining an artistic process of innovative and emotionally charged work, telling diverse stories and creating an in-house Production Company of well-respected artists. Since opening, WSR has presented more than 25 productions with a wide range of appeal, from Chicago premieres and international debuts to holiday favorites. In 2016, WSR entered into a contract with Actors' Equity Association, making WSR the only professional theatre company in McHenry County. WSR is dedicated to its mission of producing diverse and emotionally charged stories that deepen the cultural richness of our community and our region. WSR was made possible through support provided by Susen Håakansson Berg and James C. Berg, the City of Crystal Lake, ComEd, McHenry County Community Foundation and Epic Repertory Theater Company. For additional information, visit wsrep.org.

About Raue Center For The Arts

Raue Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of all through the arts. For 16 years, they have provided quality programming - striving to make it pertinent, available and affordable to all. As a painstakingly restored, 1920s regional Showcase Theatre named for its benefactor-Lucile Raue-Raue Center has attracted the finest stars, Broadway shows, musicians and artists. Named on the League of Historic American Theatres, Raue Center is one of the finest examples of restored art and decor in the nation. The 750-seat theatre, located in historic downtown Crystal Lake, IL, is a gathering place for our region's citizens and has become a true destination. For additional information, visit rauecenter.org, facebook.com/RaueCenter and twitter.com/RaueCenter.

 

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