‘Sylvia’ on the stage: Play has its second run in New Rockford

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Photo courtesy / Dakota Prairie Regional Center for the Arts The cast for “Sylvia” recently poses at one of their rehearsals. From left, Jessica Dillon, Peter Foss, and Anna Weisenburger as Sylvia the dog.

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The drama continues this summer in New Rockford — literally, with the second half of this summer’s theater season in “Sylvia.”

The town of roughly 1,400 people north of Jamestown is quietly becoming a showcase for the performing arts, as one of a few cities in the state with semiprofessional theater.

“Sylvia” serves as the counterpart to this season’s first production, “Urinetown.”

While “Urinetown” has a large cast of 14, not including the band, “Sylvia” has a cast of four and is more of a comedy with human elements of relationships, said Kevin Cartwright, show director.

In fact, “Sylvia” is only the third show the Dakota Prairie Regional Central for the Arts has ever brought back in the 20 years the organization has existed, said Cartwright, who is also DPRCA president.

“It has to be successful the first time,” Cartwright said of bringing a show back. “It’s got to be one of those shows that has enough depth to it that people want to come back to it for a while.”

The plot starts when Greg, played by Peter Foss, starts going through a midlife crisis. One day he’s in the park and finds a stray dog, Sylvia, played by Anna Weisenburger.

Greg takes Sylvia back to his apartment and his wife Kate, played by Jessica Dillon, doesn’t gel well with Greg’s new canine companion.

Steve Parkman plays three different roles throughout the play and serves as the comic relief.

“It’s one of the ones we’ve always liked, and a lot of the people when we talk to them about the shows, ‘Sylvia’ is one they always come back to and enjoy,” Cartwright said.

This is the first time in the history of DPRCA that two shows will be running at the same time throughout the summer. The organization pays those involved, which Cartwright said only proves better for the audience.

“We pay our actors, we pay our band. We felt from the beginning if we pay them we can demand more of them,” he said.

One of those actors in “Urinetown” who also plays a major role in the technical aspects of both shows is Jared Kolles.

“Sylvia” is running at the New Rockford Opera House, while “Urinetown” is at the Old Church Theater.

Both shows run through Aug. 12. “Sylvia” is at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays with the Sunday shows at 2:30 p.m. “Urinetown” is Sundays through Thursday during the same times.

“We always pride ourselves on being a semi-professional theater,” Cartwright said. “Whether you go to the very first show, or the very least show, its quality, it’s the illusion of theater. You’ll walk out amazed and happy for the experience.”

Tickets are $22 and can be reserved online at dprca.com, or over the phone by calling 701-947-2174.

Sun reporter Ben Rodgers can be reached at 701-952-8455 or by email at brodgers@jamestownsun.com

Tags: diversions, theater