CHARLESTON — Actress Lena Stapleton has wanted to study her traces and stage actions for her title function in the Charleston Community Theatre’s upcoming manufacturing of “Sylvia,” like she has with reveals previously.
Unlike different reveals, nevertheless, the Charleston resident additionally has wanted to study to convincingly fetch, roll over and lunge at a cat as a result of Sylvia is a canine. While Stapleton doesn’t put on a canine costume on this present, she should nonetheless convey the canine’s feisty spirit and her actions on stage within the decrease degree of the Charleston Elks Lodge.
“Knee pads are a should,” Stapleton mentioned, referencing an prolonged scene during which Sylvia demonstrates her abilities at catching treats which might be tossed to her.
People are additionally studying…
Playwright A. R. Gurney’s grownup comedy “Sylvia” tells the story of Greg and Kate (performed by Tim Mason and Ann Morris Bruehler), empty-nesters who’ve simply moved from the suburbs to Manhattan. While Greg’s profession as a monetary dealer is winding down, Kate’s profession as a public-school English instructor is starting to supply her extra alternatives.
One day, Greg brings home a stray canine he met within the park bearing solely the identify Sylvia on her identify tag. A street-smart combination of a Labrador and Poodle, Sylvia turns into a bone of competition between the couple as Greg focuses progressively extra consideration on the canine as a part of a doable midlife disaster.
Stapleton, who moved to Charleston to attend Eastern Illinois University, mentioned she has not performed a member of the animal kingdom since being The Dormouse years in the past in her hometown Lincoln Community Theatre’s manufacturing of “Alice in Wonderland.”
Nevertheless, Stapleton mentioned she has no problem stepping into character as Sylvia. She mentioned her buddy and fellow Charleston Community Theatre troupe member Blake Richardson, who’s directing “Sylvia,” beneficial her for the title character, partially, as a result of he’s aware of her comedic timing.
While Sylvia takes on the function of a household pet with Greg and Kate, Stapleton mentioned she will get to painting how the canine could be fiercely unbiased with typically comical outcomes. This contains her irritating Kate by sitting and shedding everywhere in the sofa.
“Sylvia is aware of what she needs, and he or she is aware of who she is,” Stapleton mentioned.
In one specific scene, Sylvia actually needs to chase a cat that she sees whereas taking a walk within the park with Greg. Sylvia is unable to flee the restraint of her leash however nonetheless manages to bark a profane tirade on the offending feline.
“It makes me really feel unhealthy as a result of i’ve three cats at home that I like dearly,” Stapleton mentioned. “In the (manufacturing’s) program, I put that I apologize to my three cats for the slander.”
The Charleston Community Theatre’s manufacturing additionally includes Ty Patterson in a number of roles, together with a household buddy who’s suspicious of Sylvia. The present is produced by Sarah Rundles, who has had a entrance row seat in practices for watching Stapleton, because the artful canine, work together with the remainder of the solid.
“She has carried out a tremendous job. She actually brings plenty of vitality and life to the character and fully embodies how I pictured Sylvia after I first learn the script,” Rundles mentioned. “This has created a really entertaining and enjoyable dynamic along with her solid mates that makes for a present that may actually be unforgettable.”
“Sylvia” present dates for the primary weekend are 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16-Saturday, Feb. 17 and 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 18, on the Charleston Elks Lodge The second weekend’s reveals are 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22-Saturday, Feb. 24.
Tickets could be reserved at charlestoncommunitytheatre.com or by calling 1-323-SHOW-NOW. Free-will donations benefiting the Coles County Humane Society may even be collected at every efficiency.
A Monitor Sign Service crew manually lifts a number of the 4-foot-tall metal letters into place on a concrete base on Tuesday for a brand new Mattoon welcome signal within the metropolis’s Wolf Park on the northwest nook of Broadway Avenue and nineteenth Street/U.S. Route 45. The letters will likely be lit inside by LED bulbs and have inexperienced acrylic covers. The signal was created and put in through roughly $30,00 in tourism grant money from the town’s lodge and motel tax income fund.
Contact Rob Stroud at (217) 238-6861.
