Central Alberta Theatre is revisiting one of their most popular shows of recent years with the staging of Sylvia, penned by A.R. Gurney.

The show runs at City Centre Stage Jan. 16th to Feb. 1 with curtain at 7:30 p.m.

There is also a matinee at 2 p.m. on Jan. 19th.

It was five years ago CAT produced the acclaimed play, and there has been a steady stream of inquiries in the community about when the troupe would present it again, said director Judith Moody, who was at the helm the first time around as well.

“Ever since we put it on, people have been asking me ‘When are you going to do that play again – it was the funniest thing I ever saw’,” she said.

Masterfully played by Debby Allan (who also played the role five years back), Sylvia is that wonderful, terrible, adorable Labradoodle who is back to ‘chew a big hole’ in the marriage of Greg and Kate.

Moody said there is virtually nobody who could play Sylvia as well as Allen.

“When she started considering the role, she began watching dogs and people with dogs.” Sure enough, she nailed the role five years ago and is excited about capturing the nuances of the role once again. “She pours her heart into it.”

As to the story, Kate (Mary Cook), is trying to make it through her husband’s mid-life crisis. She perhaps would have been a tad open to the crazy stuff men do to vainly try and recapture a sense of youth. But when Greg (Craig Scott) finds Sylvia, Kate finds herself in a rather unexpected predicament.

They live in a New York apartment. The kids are away at college and her career teaching Shakespeare to inner-city kids is taking off. They certainly don’t need a dog in their life. The conflict spirals hilariously out of control but ends with a surprising conclusion.

Rounding out the cast is Gord Phillips who single-handedly covers the other three supporting roles. Ken Shaw’s set and Lavila Lang’s costumes are a big plus in setting the scene as well.

Directing the play comes at a rather fitting time for Moody, who is relocating back to the west coast after Sylvia wraps up its run. During her years in Red Deer, she’s become a dedicated member of the local performing arts community. She said it’s going to be tough to leave what has become a close-knit circle of friends and associates, but “It’s going to wonderful to be back in the bosom of family, and old friends and my old theatre group, too.”

Tickets are available through the Black Knight Inn Ticket Centre by calling 403-755-6626 or going online at www.blackknightinn.ca.

editor@reddeerexpress.com