The Broadway play Sylvia, about a dog who changes the life of a New York City man, is being revived, and stars Matthew Broderick and Annaleigh Ashford. The actors stopped by this morning's TODAY to talk about the show.
While Ashford cites her own beloved Australian shepherd as the inspiration for her character, Broderick jokes that "it's about time" the challenges of dog ownership were addressed on the stage. Watch the appearance below!
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.