Sylvia - The Canine at Cort

Best bit: I cried with laughter as posh guest Phyliss (played by Robert Sella) meets the scraggly dog Sylvia (Annaleigh Ashford), it reminded me of all the embarrassing moments our pets put us through. Robert Sella plays Tom, Phyliss and Leslie in this play and is delightful in all three roles.

Any boring bits: Matthew Broderick has a particularly dull cadence to his voice and I hope he livens up his act for the shows to follow.

Who would like it: If you grew up with dogs, have a dog or you are thinking about getting a dog, then this play will warm your heart.

Who wouldn't like it: I would imagine cat lovers will sit through this play wondering how much better the story would play out if Sylvia was a cat. And it must be said that this show is light and playful, so maybe not for the avid theatre goer looking for depth.

Morning after effect: Waking up in my New York apartment wondering what would be a better fit; a miniature dachshund or Great Dane.

Verdict: Three out of five stars

Any pet owner can attest to the belief that every dog has a personality of its own, and often wishes he/she could talk back with more than just facial expressions and body language. Well in this A.R Gurney play, that's exactly what happens!

Annaleigh Ashford joins the ranks of Sarah Jessica Parker, Stephanie Zimbalist and Cathy Rigby, as anthropomorphic dog Sylvia. While Parker originated the role Off-Broadway in 1995, Ashford has the honor of bringing it to Broadway at the Cort Theatre, where the play is currently in previews.

Ashford has already made her mark on Broadway playing Glinda in Wicked, Elle in Legally Blonde and Jeanie in Hair. She received a Tony nomination for the role Lauren in Kinky Boots which she originated, and her role as Essie Carmichael in the revival of You Can't Take It with You won her a 2015 Tony for Best Featured Actress in a Play. Ashford is natural and comfortable on the stage, even as a canine. She shows utter commitment to this challenging role and looks to be a talent that will be around for many years to come.

A.R Gurney wrote Sylvia twenty years ago and there are a few moments that fail the modern audience; while the concept is darling, the execution falls short. A weak script relies heavily on the acting talent to bring it to life with all its nuances, and sadly Broderick and White disappoint - White largely due to lack of depth in her written character, while Broderick mostly lacks flair. Ashford can be commended for holding the pieces together with superb comedic timing and those puppy dog eyes. As well as Sella who brings entertainment and color to the stage with his portrayal as Phyliss, Leslie and Tom.

Having spent a few hours mulling over the story I wondered if the actors needed a more dynamic set to bring the audience into their world, or perhaps better direction to highlight the comedic beats and the bond between the human characters. Likely, a bit of each. Ann Roth's involvement in this production is also puzzling, given the huge scale of her resume and the lack of essential costume design that Sylvia calls for. Overall a certain playfulness and tact was forgotten when bringing this show back to life, especially to compete on Broadway.

Despite the technicalities which they are sure to figure out, the audience laughs on cue. Sylvia is a sweet show and a tribute to man's best friend, our canine counterparts. It is a wonderful way to relive fond memories of your pets and laugh out loud at their ability to invade your home and then your heart. My only regret is not taking my husband along to the show as he might have been more "pro puppy" this morning.

Reviewed by Nicola Quinn

Tuesday 6th October 2015
Cort Theatre, New York City
Find me on Twitter: @newyorktheatre

View our show pages for more information about Sylvia, Cort Theater.