Sylvia, a comedy by A. R. Gurney

The play centers around Greg, a restless empty-nester, who feels disconnected from his life and job in finance. He finds Sylvia, a stray dog (played by a human) in Central Park and decides to bring her home. Sylvia is an exuberant and charming lab/poodle mix who quickly becomes a source of joy and companionship for Greg as they walk the streets of Manhattan. Greg's wife, Kate, a busy professional in the public school system is looking forward to enjoying her newfound independence now that their children have left for college, but is less than thrilled by the clever and coquettish canine who jumps, slobbers, sits on her couch, and takes Greg’s attention away from his marriage. As Greg spends more time with Sylvia, he begins to neglect his job and his relationship with Kate, leading to a rift in their marriage. Sylvia exerts such a charismatic pull that Kate’s friends are appalled, the marriage counselor advocates divorce and euthanasia, and even Greg’s new dog-owner friend warns him of the splintering effect a dog can have on the relationship between husband and wife. It is only when Greg is prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice that Kate is able to see Sylvia not as a threat, but as a new member of her family.