A.R. Gurney’s ‘Sylvia’ Sets Fall Broadway Revival With Annaleigh Ashford

The resurgence of interest in the work of playwright A.R. Gurney will continue in the fall with a revival of Sylvia starring competing Tony Award nominees Annaleigh Ashford (You Can’t Take It With You, Kinky Boots) and Julie White (Airline Highway). They’re two of the most gifted and in-demand comedians working today.

This comes on the heels of Gurney’s continuing residency at the invaluable Signature Theatre Company and last season’s starry round-robin revival of Love Letters on Broadway (and now on tour) staged by Gregory Mosher. The Signature is currently fielding a well-received revival of his early roman a clef, What I Did Last Summer, and will co-present the world premiere of Love And Money, a new play by the 84-year-old author, later this summer.

Sylvia is the story of a well-set marriage turned inside-out when the husband (the role has not yet been cast) brings home a rambunctious dog with whom he struck up a relationship in Central Park. Man and dog grow increasingly tight, much to the growing consternation of the wife (White). Ashford will play the dog, a role created by Sarah Jessica Parker in the play’s lauded 1995 premiere at the Manhattan Theatre Club. Also signed to play various roles is Robert Sella.

The top-shelf creative team is led by director Daniel Sullivan. The show will have a set by David Rockwell, lighting by Japhy Weidman and costumers by Ann Roth. It’s slated to begin previews September 25 at an as-yet unnamed Shubert theater. Jeffrey Richards, Jerry Frankel and Daryl Roth are producing.