Doggie style

Audiences can’t get enough of this A.R. Gurney comedy—this is at least the fifth production around the region in as many years. It’s actually a revival of the Foothill Theatre’s popular 1997 production, featuring mostly the same cast; if anything, it’s better the second time around. Sylvia is the story of a midlife Manhattan couple—the kids are at college, the husband’s lost interest in his career. All is transformed when he brings home a wandering, energetic dog, Sylvia, who quickly becomes the center of his life. Actresses love to play the title role, and it’s particularly well suited to Carolyn Howarth, whose strong suit is physical comedy. The other parts are also well cast—Philip Charles Sneed, Gary Wright and Trish Adair. Director Nancy Carlin takes the script for exactly what it is—silly fun. (Note: though the script quotes Shakespeare in scene after scene, the f-word also pops up loudly and frequently.) Call ahead for tickets; many performances will be sold out. Plays 7 p.m. Thursday; 8:15 p.m. Friday, Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday, at the Nevada Theatre, 401 Broad St., Nevada City. Through April 8. $5-$21. (888) 730-8587.