A.R. Gurney's dog-friendly Sylvia headed to Broadway

Man’s best friend is coming to Broadway this fall in A.R. Gurney’s Sylvia, a modern, romantic comedy about a marriage and the dog that becomes entangled in it.

The show will star Tony nominee Annaleigh Ashford (You Can’t Take It With You) as Sylvia, Tony Award winner Julie White (Airline Highway) as Kate and Drama Desk Award winner Robert Sella (Stuff Happens) as Tom, Phyllis, and Leslie. Tony Award-winning director Daniel Sullivan will helm the project, which begins rehearsals in August.

The play centers around a middle-aged New York couple whose lives are turned upside down when the husband brings home a very engaging dog he found in the park. The story looks “into the complexities of love and commitment” and “asks what it truly means to be devoted to your partner…and how do you choose between the love of your life and man’s best friend?”

Sylvia was first produced in 1995 at the Manhattan Theatre Club with actress Sarah Jessica Parker leading. The play received nominations for the Drama Desk Awards for Outstanding Play, Outstanding Actress in a Play (Parker), and Outstanding Costume Design.

Producers have announced the play will begin previews on Friday, Sept. 25 at the Shubert Theatre.