Southeastern NEWS

                                                       Southeastern Louisiana University
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                                           SLU 880, Hammond, LA 70402
                                           504/549-2341/fax 504-549-2061
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    Date: 2/20/98
      Contact:                           Christina Chapple  126

SOUTHEASTERN THEATRE PRESENTS GURNEY'S "SYLVIA"
     HAMMOND -- Southeastern Louisiana University Theatre will present A.R. Gurney's
"Sylvia," a comedy for adult audiences, March 10-14 at Vonnie Borden Theatre.
     Curtain time for "Sylvia," which is directed by communication and theatre faculty
member Cheryl Frederic, is 7:30 p.m. 
     "Sylvia" has been called "beautiful, funny, touching and profound" by the New York
Daily News," while "Back Stage" calls it "howlingly funny." Frederic cautions, however, that
adult situations and language makes it unsuitable for younger audiences.
     "'Sylvia'," said Frederic, "is the story of a man and his dog -- who is played by a woman -
- but it's not a children's play!"
     Cherie Maurer of Independence has the title role of "Sylvia," while Deron Daniels of
New Orleans and Sherrie Jackson of Metairie are Greg and Kate, who have moved to Manhattan
after 22 years of child-raising in the suburbs. Greg brings home a dog he has found in the park
bearing only the name "Sylvia" on her name tag. 
     "Sylvia quickly becomes a major bone of contention between husband and wife," said
Frederic. "She offers Greg an escape from the frustrations of his job and the unknowns of middle
age. But to Kate, Sylvia becomes a rival for Greg's affections. Sylvia thinks Kate just doesn't
understand the relationship between man and dog."
     The marriage is put in serious jeopardy until, after a series of hilarious and touching
complications, Greg and Kate learn to compromise, and Sylvia becomes a valued part of their
lives.
                                 (MORE) 
SLU PRESENTS "SYLVIA" -- Add One
      The adult comedy also features Dan Trentacosta of Chalmette as Tom, Nicole Fitch of
Meraux as Phyllis and Natalie Messer of Hammond as Leslie.
     The crew for the play includes Kim Gaubert of Baton Rouge, assistant director; Gary
Mendoza of Slidell, sound design; Angela Fontenot of Denham Springs, prop mistress.
Southeastern communication and theatre professor Steve Schepker designed the set and the
university Lighting/Scene Design class designed the lighting.
     Tickets, $5 general admission and $3 senior citizens and non-SLU students and
Southeastern faculty and staff, will be available at the theatre box office in D Vickers Hall
beginning March 3. Box office hours are 11 a.m.-3 p.m., weekdays. Tickets will also be available
at the door.                             
     For additional information, call the Communication and Theatre department, 549-2105.
                                 - SLU -
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