About Sylvia

THE STILLWATER PLAYERS AMONG OTHERS
SYLVIA
Written by A. R. GURNEY
Directed by Brian Gronczniak
Produced by Mat Sicko

Greg (Joe Phillips) and Kate (Jeanette Sassatelli) have moved to Manhattan after twenty-two years of child raising in the suburbs. Greg’s career as a financial trader is winding down, while Kate’s career, as a public school English teacher, is beginning to offer her more opportunities. Greg brings home a dog that he found in the park – or that has found him – bearing only the name “Sylvia” on her name tag. A street-smart mutt, a mixture of Lab and Poodle, Sylvia becomes a major bone of contention between husband and wife. Sylvia (Molly McGrath) offers Greg an escape from the frustration of his job and the unknowns of middle age. To Kate, Sylvia becomes a rival for affection. Sylvia; however, thinks Kate just doesn’t understand the relationship between man and his dog. The marriage is put in serious jeopardy.

Greg and Kate learn to compromise and Sylvia becomes a valued part of both of their lives.

Molly is back with us once again as our leading lady. You may remenber Molly as Cherie, the chanteuse, from last fall's reprisal of "Bus Stop". Molly can be found on stages around the area delighting audience members with both her vocal performances and acting alike. Molly has had many roles with SPAO including; Shelby in the reprisal of "Steel Magnolias", Susan Hollander in "Don't Drink The Water", and Catlin in "Over The River And Through The Woods". Some of Molly's other theater credits include; the 'Duck' for the Galway Youth Theater's production of "Peter and the Wolf", "The Music Man", "The King and I", "The Wizard of Oz", "Annie", "Joseph and the Amazing Technocolored Dream Coat", "Annie Get Your Gun", "Urinetown", "Little Shop of Horrors", "Guys and Dolls" and "Bat Boy".

JOE PHILLIPS is GREG

Joe has been an acting fixture of local college, community, summer-stock and professional theater for three decades in the Capital Region, and a half dozen other states. He has appeared locally in literally hundreds of roles, including professional appearances at Capital Repertory's "King O' The Moon", Proctor's Theater's "Hearts of Fire" and the Egg's "Santa's List," and "Saul Bellow's Stories On Stage", and multiple productions with Park Playhouse, C-R Productions at Cohoes Music Hall, and the New York State Theater Institute including; "Arsenic and Old Lace", "Miracle On 34th Street", "Macbeth" and "1776" earlier this season. "Sylvia" is his onstage debut with SPAO, although he directed "Eat Your Heart Out" for us last season; Joe has directed over forty productions, including; "Shenandoah", "Company" and "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" at Schenectady Light Opera; "Lend Me A Tenor" at Albany Civic and "Our Country's Good" at Schenectady Civic; and dozens of others for RPI Players and numerous other community and high school groups. A freelance writer and part-time lifeguard, he lives in Colonie with his wife and frequent theatrical colleague, Margot - and his dog Sparky, who loves to chew shoes, Kleenex and piano legs.

Five years ago, Jeanette moved to the area from Minneapolis, MN and promptly found SPAO. She first appeared in "A Bad Year For Tomatoes" playing the frustrated get-to-the-point sheriff of Beaver Haven, VT. She appeared in the film portion of "The Solid Gold Cadillac" playing Estelle Evans, the gossip TV news columnist. In the Fall of 2005, she was seen as the wannabe adulterous lover in "Lover's Leap" and in the Spring of 2006 as the volatile, restaurant-going Wife in "Eat Your Heart Out". Jeanette holds a BA in theater arts from Kenyon College of Gambier, Ohio where she appeared and costume designed in numerous productions. Jeanette is employed by GE and resides in Valley Falls with husband John and her own Sylvia, Rosie the Dog.

Terry has always brought enthusiasm to the SPAO stage. Be it a leading role, such as Oscar in "The Odd Couple", or a small one, like the phone man in both "Barefoot in the Park", and "Full Moon", you know he's going to make it funny. One of the original founders of SPAO, and former president, Terry produced most of our early productions with Jerry Petronis, under the moniker The PetFord Twins. His stage roles have included the SPAO productions of "You Can't Take It With You" , "The Mousetrap" , "Harvey", "Bus Stop", "All in the Timing, Among Others" - Variations on the Death of Trotsky , "Don't Dress For Dinner", "Arsenic and Old Lace", "The Foreigner", "Don't Drink the Water", "The Solid Gold Cadillac" and "Lovers Leap". His most recent appearance was in the role of Solomon Bozo in "Everybody Loves Opal. Now retired, Terry resides in Stillwater with wife Carol and "Wonder Dog", Louie.

CYNTHIA PETRONIS is PHYLLIS

Cynthia has worked in just about every area of community theater. She started her SPAO history with an unsuccessful audition but stayed on to create the bleeding Armadillo groom's cake for SPAO's first production of "Steel Magnolias" . She made her debut as an actress with SPAO the Chanteuse Cherie in "Bus Stop", then returned as Purity Dean in "Pure As The Driven Snow" Her comedic accent and dialect abilities have kept her on-stage with SPAO. Her personal favorite role was the mischievous, cockney, con artist cook in "Don't Dress For Dinner". Cynthia's dinner theater appearances include; "Poisoned Pawn", "The Odd Couple", "Full Moon", "Moon Over Buffalo", "Murder By Mistake", "Lunch Hour", "Don't Drink The Water", "Steel Magnolias", "The Solid Gold Cadillac", "Lover's Leap", "Eat Your Heart Out", and The Female Version of "The Odd Couple". Cynthia has also appeared for the Schuylerville Players and the Round Lake Summer Theater in "Mornings At Seven" and in "The Miss Firecracker Contest". Cynthia is a member of SPAO's Board of Directors. A Mechanicville mail carrier, she resides in Stillwater with her husband Jerry.

As many of you may know this is not Carol's first time on the SPAO stage. Carol has been seen in such past favorites as; "You Can't Take it With You", "Mousetrap", "Play it Again Sam", "Blithe Spirit", "Rumors", and "Solid Gold Cadillac". Carol has been an active SPAO member serving past positions as President, Secretary, and Board Member. Currently retired Carol has plans of honing her entrepreneurial skills, who knows we may just be serving her cookies at our next show. Carol resides in Stillwater with her husband Terry and is the mother of 3 daughters and proud grandma of 4 ½ grandchildren.

THE PRODUCTION STAFF

Set Design ....... Ed Nieman, Mathew Sicko, Brian Gronczniak
Construction ..... Jason McClements, Mathew SickoEd Nieman, Brian Gronczniak
Scenic Design ........... Mathew Sicko, Jason McClements
Bonnie McClements, Heidi Wittchen
Stage Manager .............. Bonnie McClements
Back Stage Manager ................ Alonna Hayner
Hair and Makeup ...............Wanda Griffen
Technical/Effects Design ..... Mathew Sicko, Jason McClements
Sound Design/Operator .............. Ed Nieman
Assistant Sound Operator ....... Mathew Hayner
Lighting Design .................... Brian Gronczniak
Lighting Operator ................ Bonnie McClements
Properties .............. Alonna Hayner, Bea Girard
Stage Hands ........... Alonna Hayner, Cynthia Petronis, Bea Girard, Heather Borden, Dhiana Gould, Brittany Callahan, Jason McClements
Program/Graphic Design ........ Mathew Sicko
House Manager .................... Jerry Petronis
Entertainment Coordinator ........ Mike Wolske
Reservation Box Office .................... Jerry & Cynthia Petronis
House Box Office ...... Linda Yurschak, Jamie Fellows
Catering ........... Tony Panza - Panza's Catering

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